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10 Questions with ... JD Page
August 21, 2007
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NAME:JD PageLAST WITH:WESO-AM, where the only signs of the 21st century were the digital system and mePHONE:(508) 234-0781EMAIL:jdrichwitch@yahoo.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I started in radio doing overnights at WEKL-FM in Augusta, GA. then over to sister station WRXR-FM to co-host the morning show. I bounced to P/T at WXKS, then over to WAIB-FM in Tallahassee, then made the stupid decision to head off to Montgomery, AL to do mornings at WBAM-FM. After coming to my senses, I moved up to New England, got a primo midday gig at WWFX-FM until they flipped format. I reluctantly signed on to WESO-AM only because my unemployment benefits were running out. There, I hosted mornings, was PD, MD, Production Director, Web Designer, Imaging, dead mouse removal and spider-squisher.
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I've been going through the basement, every closet, every drawer, all the cabinets and getting rid of stuff I don't need. I've done some movie extra work and voiceover work. I also visit my mom and help her with home projects like wallpapering the dining room, fixing things, and dead mouse removal.
2) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
Sure! I'm really not much good for anything else in the business world, and I just don't get the whole 9-to-5 cubicle life.
3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This is it -- seven months. Things are kind of dry on this beach.
4) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Online, definitely. I have a daily routine when I get up...first to All Access, of course. Then I check the surrounding states' broadcasting websites. If I don't get too discouraged by then, I have a list of all the MA radio stations and I go through and check out each of their websites to see if they have any openings I am qualified for. After that, I succumb to Spider Solitaire.
5) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I would love to do middays at any Rock format station, perhaps also as Production Director or MD. I'm very flexible as far as off-air duties since I've pretty much done 'em all. I got mornings out of my system, so you can keep that. I miss the feeling of accomplishing a full day's work, knowing I did something productive and maybe got a few people to stop and think.
6) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
No, I've got a stack of CDs in my car when I drive somewhere. At home, I usually put on one of the cable music channels.
7) Are you able to slow down and enjoy free time doing things with your family and friends that you probably did not have time to do while you were working?
Absolutely! I was able to help my mom when she got ill not too long ago, and I helped my mother-in-law after one of her surgeries; she's got chickens and llamas that had to be tended to. Everybody is all better now, except maybe one of the llamas that accidentally ate part of my Aerosmith T-shirt while I was wearing it. I bundled cut apples in it and I guess the apple smell stayed on my shirt.
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
When I learned I had MS a few years ago, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I learned how to not let little things irk me. I figured out how to filter out what was crucial and what was an illusion of importance. Now that I've had a lot of time to contemplate, I also realized that everybody is fighting their own inner battles, and it's no skin off my nose to lend a helping hand to someone who is struggling. It just takes a few minutes to brighten someone else's moment in the now.
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 was stupid enough at my last gig to do just that. The station was losing money and allegedly had to make severe cutbacks. It was privately owned, and the twp salespeople didn't know what they were doing. My benefits got cut, hours were cut, and my salary was butchered down to $200 a week, but still I kept plugging away because it was my name and professional reputation on the line.
Unfortunately, the GM never gave me the respect and acknowledgement I deserved, so my passion and enthusiasm waned drastically. It's a classic case of, "if I know then what I know now"...I would've just handed in my resignation. I've got too many years invested in broadcasting, too much experience and insight to whore myself out like that. I was an idiot. Bad J.D. -- no cookie!
10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
I will certainly be more appreciative. The ole' Cinderella song rings true, "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)," but I've also learned to have respect for myself and value my experiences.
Bonus Questions
BONUS QUESTION: My favorite new diversion is...
Helping my husband get ready to debut his new band, Jump The Fall. I've been shuttling his guitar and amps to repair shops to make sure all his equipment is in primo condition for their upcoming live shows. I now know more about Mesa Boogie triple-head pre-rectifiers than any human being (non-tech repair) should ever be forced to know.
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