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10 Questions with ... 'Big Mike' Steele
October 2, 2007
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NAME:'Big Mike' SteeleLAST WITH:93.7 KLBJ/AustinPHONE:512-791-6899EMAIL:mike@bigmikeradio.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
First job doing overnights at K-104 (now Star 104) in Erie, PA in 1989. On to WKYN in St. Marys, PA in the midday slot from 1990-1993. Brief weekend gig at a Country station in Pittsburgh before nabbing a night-time gig at WNCD/Youngstown, OH from 1993-1995. Back to suburban Pittsburgh for middays at Active Rocker "The Force" in 1995, before it was bought by the cluster owning WDVE and changed to "The X." Was moved to 'DVE swing shifts/weekends after the buyout and worked at that heritage station for over four years. Landed in Austin for the last seven years with 93.7 KLBJ, five of those as creative services and three as afternoon drive.
1) 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.
After my "exit' from the business in September, I was recommended for a media coordinator position for a state government agency. It was quite the adjustment being confined to a cubicle and maintaining regular business hours, but it was a unique challenge and I appreciated the experience. So many paper trails and documentation!
2) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
I've been in radio almost 18 years ...why quit now?
3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
An eight-month stretch (currently) and then two months in 1993. Back then, I worked at Sylvania, packing light bulbs for a paycheck. Now, I'm a part-time instructor at a broadcast school, teaching radio courses and Adobe Audition/Cool Edit Pro.
4) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Know someone who can give you a recommendation; hopefully that person works at the station at which you are applying. In my first job, the APD graduated from the same college I attended and he convinced the PD to give me a shot.
5) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
AllAccess.com.
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
In fantasy-land, I would attend music festivals for a living, and could afford to fly my friends in to each location with an air-conditioned RV waiting at the airport. In reality, a Creative Services job with a small cluster of stations in a large market.
7) With consolidation, there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
I like to wear a multitude of hats! Writing, digital audio production, promotions, voice-overs and, of course, on-air. Most of all, a warped sense of humor (which brings on creativity) and a great attitude to work with a team of pros.
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
That Emeril guy has a cushy gig on the Food Network!
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?
It depends on the size of the market and notoriety of the station.
10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
Take as many writing classes as you can, whether at a four-year university, a community college, or online courses. You would be surprised how much you need to use written communications skills - writing copy, promotions proposals, email, etc. And ALWAYS use spell check...nothing decreases your credibility more than typos.
Bonus Questions
Great movies I've recently seen ...
"Grindhouse", the double-feature from Tarantino and Rodriguez. It's cool because the two movies include Austin as a backdrop. I can really say, "Hey, I got tacos there at Gueros", or "Yea, I bellied up to that bar a few times." When was the last time you could see a double-feature for $8 bucks? Oh, and see it in the theater, because the movies will be released individually on DVD.
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