10 Questions with ... Pat Clark

NAME:Pat Clark LAST WITH:KQMV/Seattle PHONE:708-473-2043 EMAIL:djpatclark@aol.com WEB:www.myspace.com/patclarkradio

Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...

Well, it all started when my Dad came home from basic training on a cold evening ... oh, a 'brief' history ... born on Ft. Knox Army Base in Kentucky, raised on the South Side of Chicago (GO, SOX!). First cracked the mic on Columbia College Chicago's 100-watt powerhouse WCRX in 1997. (That is, if you don't count me guest DJ'ing as a kid with George McFly on B96/Chicago). Then the professional radio circus goes as follows...
1999-2001 WBVS/Joliet, IL, nights.
2001-2001 WQQB/Champaign/Urbana, IL, afternoons.
2001-2003 WKIE/Chicago, weekends/swing/mixer.
2003-2003 WNDV/South Bend, IN, nights.
2003-2005 KUUU/Salt Lake City, nights.
2005-2007 WXSS/Milwaukee, nights.
2007-2007 KQMV/Seattle, mornings.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

I have to keep reminding myself that another job will come along. While most of us look for new gigs while working, we often never really realize how long it takes to get a call back. That time seems magnified by 10 when you have no job to go to. So when I start contemplating flipping burgers, I just slap myself and remember that eventually someone ... somewhere ... will say, "Yes, Pat, we are this desperate." Plus, having some awesome friends who work in the industry who call me and remind me that I will work again one day helps a lot.

2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

Such a cliché answer, but hanging with family and friends. I'm spending a LOT of time with my son. He is at an amazing age (13 months) and is evolving every day. I also moved back to the Midwest (Seattle is a bit too pricey to live in on unemployment). so my Mom has seen me more than she has in years, plus my friends are getting a healthy dose of me. So, combine those things with monitoring www.myspace.com/patclarkradio where I have all my demos posted ... I'm killing time nicely.

3) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

I guess I'm a little bit of both. I'd be lying if I said I haven't heard someone do a break and think, "Man, that guy has a gig, how come no one will call me back!" So in that light, I am discouraged. But, stepping back has allowed me to become a listener again, which is awesome! Not only can I listen to music without hearing 1.2 seconds before I flip, I also am adjusting to listening to talent as a normal guy, which will help me raise my game when I get back in. When I hear some good radio coming through the speakers, I get excited that I can work at a station like that soon.

4) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

The old rule of "it's not what you know, but who you know" is huge these days! I've seen PDs take jocks from market to market with them. Or PDs finding someone and fast-tracking them to the top because they see something in them. So, knowing the right person can get you into places you never even thought about. Now, if all you have is old-fashioned talent, don't be afraid to flaunt it! Tell a PD that you will be the best hire they ever make ... get in their face ... people are way too PC these days to make a splash. Remember that you're a PERSONALITY, so show some! Show the world what you got, like I did with www.myspace.com/patclarkradio.

5) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

Okay, cliché answer #2. ALLACCESS is GOD! Seriously, though, it is. I remember when Jilly T. (now known as Taylor J./KSLZ St. Louis) first told me about All Access in 1999. She said it best: "They have real jobs posted by real people." Boo-Ya!

Now I have to mention that your friends will help you find those jobs before they get posted, too! Networking is your best bet to increase your odds of finding a job. I've been lucky enough to get some great tips from industry friends.

6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

I'm looking more for "situation" than I am a "position." Believe me, there is a stigma attached to having the words "mornings" and "Seattle" as your last job. A lot of people don't want to talk or write you off, because their opening is afternoons or their market is smaller. I think they forget that my current job is receiving a check courtesy of hard-working people like yourself. I'm looking for a good situation, with a good PD, a good GM and a good company in a good city. Obviously, I have mucho time spent in Top 40 and Rhythmic, so I expect to land at a hit machine, but that doesn't mean I'm not open to other formats. So let's just say that I'm open to whatever the next job may be.

7) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied?

Man, I hate answering this. It sucks. But I understand why it sucks and don't fault anyone for it. The PDs/OMs of the world are multi-tasking like crazy. So when their in-box fills with applicants, I can't hate them for not getting back to everyone. I think the main problem is with digital packages. Myself and Brian Kelly of WXSS/Milwaukee talked about this ... that the volume level has gone up and talent level has gone down since the introduction of mp3 packages. You don't have to head off to the post office to send something; all you do is click. So, you don't have to be 100% into a gig to apply for it. I could, theoretically, apply for every job posted now in an hour's time. That said, I'm sure potential employers get fatigued quickly, and only get back to a select few. In that light, you get SUPER-geeked when you get an e-mail response, let alone a callback.

8) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?

I have two for you.

The first was when Harry Legg was interviewing me for weekends at WKIE/Chicago (the old Energy 92.7 & 5). He said I had the gig and then asked if I was going to be a "pain in the ass part-timer who always wanted time off and would only work certain shifts." It's not all that crazy of a question, I guess, but it seemed so insane to me. I was getting the chance to work in my hometown, Chicago, which is market #3, at an amazing station. I couldn't fathom why anyone would request time off or refuse to work a shift. I would have, and a few times did, work 24 hours in a 48-hour weekend.

The second was in Seattle when I was being quizzed on my future by the PD and GM. I let them know that Chicago and New York were huge goals for me, and that if those markets called I would be taking off. They both went into a huge sell on how I have found my home in Seattle, and I should buy a house, and that my family would be happy here, and the company is great and my girl wouldn't want to move anymore. Then they both fired me seven months later. Good thing I didn't buy that house.

9) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?

I've learned, and I do believe that I read this quote in an OTB profile a few weeks ago, that once all the rats have jumped ship, you find out who your real friends are. The people who mean the most to me have really stood up during this difficult time. I can't be more appreciative for my freinds. I also learned to live life. We all often make this career our life; we forget to live our own. Joe Vlazny at KNGY San Francisco told me the other day, "Take the time off to hang with your family, because that's what is really important. Family is important, not all this other bullsh!t." I agree 110%.

10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?

I'll be sure to ask a LOT more questions about the next job. I was lucky enough to work for some amazing PDs (Chris Shebel, Brian Kelly, Brian Michel) who allow you to try and see what works and what doesn't. They trusted you in your position. I found out the hard way that not all jobs are like that. So, I will make sure that whatever station I call home next is a perfect fit for me. By really making sure that I'm the one they want and they are the one I want, I'm guaranteeing that my next gig will be killer. Then I can truly call my next gig "home."

Oh, and I guess when I get back to work I can stop checking www.myspace.com/patclarkradio every hour.

Uh oh ... now you're on your own for getting new music. If applicable, name your three most recent purchases since leaving the biz.

God bless iTunes and their gift cards that people give you for holidays.

1. Linkin Park --"Minutes to Midnight"
2. Amy Winehouse --"Frank"
3. Paramore --"Riot!"