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10 Questions with ... Big Jay Sorensen
February 20, 2007
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NAME:Big Jay SorensenLAST WITH:WJRZ/Monmouth-OceanPHONE:(732) 300-3526EMAIL:bigjay66@comcast.net
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
* I was born in a log cabin in Lakewood, NJ on June 16, 1953. Listened to "Be My Baby" on WMCA in '63, and was HOOKED.
* WOBM-F, Toms River, NJ, as a news stringer, then on-air newsman, then DJ, 1970-72.
* WHLW-A, Lakewood, NJ, DJ, 1972-76. (Program Director '75-'76.) Met Joey Reynolds, who came into town on an ass. Not HIS, a donkey.
* WJRZ-F, Manahawkin, NJ, DJ, two months in '76. Helped owners decide on call letters WJRZ.
* WPST-F, Trenton, NJ, 1976-81, DJ/Production director. Met one of my mentors, Tom Taylor (PD). Returned to WPST, 1984-86.
* WNBC-A, NYC, 1986-88, Sidekick/board-op for The Joey Reynolds Show, 1986; weeknight DJ of The Time Machine, 1987-88.
* WKXW-F, Trenton, NJ, Program Manager, 1989-92. With consultant Walt Sabo, oversaw format change to morph into Talker "New Jersey 101.5." From 1990-97, and again from '98-99, talk show host, both solo and with Hilarie Barsky (now host on XM Satellite Radio's Good Morning America).
* WPHT-A, Philadelphia, midday talk co-host with Hilarie Barsky, 1997-98.
* WWDB-F, Philadelphia, afternoon talk co-host with Hilarie Barsky, 2000.
* KLIF-A, Dallas, morning talk co-host with Hilarie Barsky, 2001.
* Sirius Satellite Radio, NYC. DJ on '60s Vibrations, 2002-05.
* WCTC-A, New Brunswick, NJ, morning talk host, 2003-05.
* WJRZ-F, Manahawkin, NJ (again), 2005-07, mornings with co-host Anita Bonita in '06-07.1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I always try to BE BIG and know that the next gig is just a phone call away. The industry has changed, and MANY good people are waiting for their next opportunity, but I am still doing "show prep" to keep my chops. Ya never know.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
By spending time surrounded by people I love and respect, notably Andrea, my wife of nearly 31 years, and our daughter, Tracy, and her husband, Jeff, who presented us with three grandchildren, and our son, Bryan, and his wife, Heidi, who gave us yet another bundle of joy. I'm also still answering email from listeners who wonder, "Why do stations just let someone go, never able to say goodbye?" I'm also in close contact with my co-host Anita Bonita and other true radio professionals.
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'm discouraged by the lack of thought that goes into many radio programs -- terrestrial, satellite, and Internet. I hear people just "phoning it in," and I think that they're doing their audience -- and the industry -- a great disservice by not being prepared each and every break, whether it's talk or music. I also think that our industry has not trained the next generation of radio greats. I was fortunate to be around and to absorb knowledge from people like Joey Reynolds, Imus, Tom Taylor, Dave Hoeffel (I'm butt-kissing on that one), Dale Parsons, Walt Sabo, Lee Tobin, and countless others.
4) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
Back in the day when we played carts, PDs used to send really cool letters, explaining why you didn't fit in or telling you that your tape was on file. Some PDs are wonderful, and you know their response is personalized. Others do the template letter. Unfortunately, it seems like most do nothing.
5) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
"You do know that if we hire you, one of the benefits is saying your NAME on the air." Really happened -- and it was thrown in my face when I wanted to leave for a better gig. Amazing.
6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
Without sounding pompous, no one does what I do! I have experience as a PD, a jock AND a talk show host.
7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
There are THREE:
1. Reaching the goal of working for a NYC network O&O station (WNBC).
2. Being a pioneer of sorts as a jock on Sirius Satellite Radio on '60s Vibrations.
3. Helping to form the incredible station New Jersey 101.5 with consultant Walt Sabo, along with Bob McAllan and John Dziuba from Press Broadcasting.8) What do you miss most about radio? The least?
I miss working with Anita Bonita. I laughed every morning working with her, and I miss talking "to," not "at," thousands of listeners who actually liked what I do. It's a one-on-one medium. Feedback is the fuel for me to continue.
I DON'T miss getting up at a "Quarter To Three" -- Gary U.S. Bonds time.
9) If you were offered a similar position to what you were doing for considerably less money, would you seriously consider taking the job just to stay in the biz?
I've confronted that scenario recently, and my knee-jerk reaction is no, but then I remember I gotta eat! I've already DONE that during my career by working here at The Jersey Shore. The pay is practically a joke -- even for mornings -- and that's sad. You certainly cannot live in the Northeast Corridor and survive on what our business has determined to be our worth. That alone has kept many really cool and talented people from remaining on the air. How did our business devalue what talent does for a particular company? I can't answer that one.
10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
Be a sponge. Learn from the vets. Ask questions. Do anything you can to find out what works and what doesn't for personalities or others at the station. Don't COPY specific people, but use their act and style as a springboard to find YOUR voice and style. Most of all, get me a Coke and a smile.
Bonus Questions
1) My favorite new diversion is ...
Playing Battleship with one of my grandsons. He wins a lot, but I let him.
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