10 Questions with ... Mike 'Big Daddy' Morgan

NAME:Mike 'Big Daddy' Morgan LAST WITH:WJMN (Jam'n 94.5)/Boston PHONE:(617) 519-5489 EMAIL:MikeMorgan76@gmail.com

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

Executive Producer/On Air for the morning show at WJMN/Boston for about 10 years; PT weekends for WJYY/Concord, NH; PT weekends at XCEL-FM/Cambridgeshire, England (pre-recorded in the USA); Production Assistant/Sales at Superadio Networks.

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

Well, I teach a radio production class at a nearby college which is really exciting. I also have obtained my Massachusetts Real Estate license. A good friend of mine has opened up a new nightclub/restaurant and I have been helping with that as well. Other than that, I am spending a lot of time with the kids and my non-house broken dog in my new house. Owning my first house has been keeping me busy as well. I have turned into Tim the Tool Man, minus knowing what I am doing. It is hard for me to sit still, so I have occupied myself pretty much 24 hours a day.

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

Strapping flares and a clock on your chest worked for Chris Farley in Tommy Boy, but that may not work as well in this day and age. I would say send your package in a way so that it will stand out. I have heard of people sending their resume to a PD with a pizza delivery guy. I would send it with a bucket of Popeye's chicken & biscuits...and then hope the PD asks me to have some with him or her. I love Popeye's!

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

AllAccess.com of course, and some great friends who work at other companies. Sometimes it is who you know that gets you in the door! I am thankful for my friends who keep me in the loop!

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

Either back on mornings, or in a MD or PD role. I think that is a natural progression for a producer. You spend so much time working with talent, conducting/participating in various meetings, working with the PD with ratings and research and so much more that at some point you are prepared for the next step. Clear Channel had sent me out to their "Leadership for Managers" training program in Denver which prepared me for the next step.

5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)

Well, so far I would say "ok." There are some people who will get right back to you and let you know what is going on, and then there are those who don't seem to have the time to talk. I had 1 PD who brought me in for an interview, said it went great and that I was in the final 3, and then I found out in ALLACCESS that he gave it to someone else without ever hearing from him. And just the other day I received a letter from a PD thanking me for applying for a job that I never applied for! At least he sent a letter! Some people do not give you that courtesy anymore.

6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

I think I have a proven track record with 2 successful shows (Baltazar & Pebbles and then Ramiro & Pebbles). Both shows had increasing ratings and put out some amazing content. People in the business know of JAM'N and the powerhouse that it is. I think working there alone gives you some credibility off the bat.

7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

I think I get to listen to it more now. Now that I have this "free time", I am online listening to stations around the country. As for Boston, I listen every now and then to some stations I never had the chance to check out before. It is still hard for me to turn it on and know that I am not a part of my old station. The "reality" of that is still hard to accept.

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Beating Howard Stern twice when he was still on BCN. He was always a MONSTER in Boston, so to pull off the #1 spot was really a great accomplishment for our team.

9) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?

I miss my old friends and the fun we had. The big thing that stinks, is that you spend so much time with the same people for so long, and then one day you are gone and so are they. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. The least...well I guess not having to get up at 3am has been nice, but I would gladly do it today if Mr. Strassell, Mr. Berardini, Mr. Paxton or another fine management type called! (Again, that is 617-519-5489 haha)

10) 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?

Yes. If CC would have made that offer to me, I would have taken it. I love what I do, and working in the radio field is all I want to do with my life. Radio is a profession that is like no other, and I am anxious to get back to it. When I started, I was making under minimum wage and I loved it. Radio is not about the money to me ... it is about doing something that I love.

BONUS QUESTION: My favorite new diversion is...

Talking to Baltazar, who is now doing mornings at KFRC/San Francisco. Talking to him is still like "being" a producer. We talk about radio for hours sometimes, and bits and promo ideas. It is great to have a friend like him and I am so happy for him to get a great gig with Maria at KFRC. They are going to do AMAZING things in the Bay Area.