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10 Questions with ... Shelly Knight
February 7, 2006
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NAME:Shelly KnightLAST WITH:KKMJ/Austin, TXPHONE:512-657-1027
Please begin by giving us a brief career history...
I began in radio in 1990 at the age of 18 when I stopped by the local Classic Rock station to pick up a prize my Dad had won on the morning show. I met the program director and started talking music with him, and within a few minutes he offered me a job. That was in my hometown of Victoria, Texas. I also worked at the Country station doing mornings. I went to Lubbock for awhile and worked at KLLL, and went to Tech then moved to Austin in 1993 to work at an Oldies station and finish college. I worked in Austin from 93-96 at KLTD, KEYI, KUTZ, and KAMX, then in '96 went to New Orleans to do mornings at WRNO. After the station was sold I returned to Austin and started at KKMJ. I moved from part-time, to overnights, to mornings then eventually mid-days. I was on KKMJ from 1997- until almost 2006. I was also the music director for the station.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Exercising helps a lot to maintain a positive attitude.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I'm busier than I've ever been since getting let go from KKMJ. I have been focusing on my music career full-time. I recently released an album, and have been playing live shows in support of that. I also made a music video and am starting up another band with some good friends. I'm rehearsing 5 to 6 nights a week and gigging, and promoting the CD besides looking for a job.
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 think we (radio people) care a lot more about what is going on in our market, on the stations than the listeners actually do. We get so wrapped up in the comings and goings of jocks and what the guys across town are doing with their music that we forget that radio is just an appliance to most listeners. They don't give the stuff we agonize over a second thought.
4) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
I'm definitely going to be doing my music, playing with my band, gigging and recording. If radio comes calling again, I'm sure I'd get back even if it's just part-time.
5) So far what has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Other jocks and resources like All Access!
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I like to be in programming. I've been on the air for 15 years and yet I'm still young enough to be in the younger demos. I think I have some great ideas as to how to reach the listeners of my generation.
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I'm not listening to the radio at all anymore except to hear when my music is played. I've got to give props to Loris from KLBJ for the spins! I'm finding that since I got let go from KKMJ my radio brother and sister jocks in Austin have embraced my music and shown me so much love and support. Instead of hiding out, I'm out there promoting myself to my former competitors, which is a gutsy thing to do. I'm so pleased that my peers love my music, that's awesome. When you find yourself on the beach why not bring your guitar?
8) 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?
That's the best part... more family time. I'm really enjoying spending time with my son and my friends and family. I'm seeing old friends again and really getting back to my real life, while leaving my radio life behind.
9) What do you miss most about radio? The least?
I miss the people I would talk to everyday: my loyal listeners. When you spend almost 9 years at the same place you really get to know your listeners. I don't miss working holidays, and weekends when I'd rather have time with my family, which I have now.
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 radio?
I never got into radio to make money. I got into radio because I love music and love performing. I put the two things together and came up with a way to support myself and spend time doing what I love. The money is the least important thing to me in finding a job. What is more important are things like, the people you work with, the station's format, the position it has in the community, and having fun.
Bonus Questions
My favorite new diversion is ...
My MySpace site. It's addicting! I've met so many friends, fellow jocks, musicians, and former listeners through the site. It's like my outside connection to the world, a way to stay out there and communicate with my friends and fans, not to mention a great place to get exposure and promote my music and my band. Check it out at www.myspace.com/shellyknight .
Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?
I found how you can feed the whole band for under 5 bucks and get a couple of meals out of the deal.
Easy roasted chicken
1 large roasting chicken
1 pound or red potatoes
2 large carrots
garlic, butter, salt and pepperPre-heat your oven to 375. Clean the chicken then place it face down in a large roasting pan, cover it with garlic, minced or chopped, butter, and lots of salt and pepper. Place it in the oven for 30 minutes, turn the chicken and season the other side, add your potatoes and carrots to the pan, butter, garlic, and salt and pepper them as well. Roast another 30 minutes. Keep turning the chicken and the potatoes every 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is done. You might want to cover the chicken with foil the last 30 minutes, unless you want it really crispy.
Don't throw away the chicken bones. After dinner collect all the bones and put them in a pot full of water, cook down until a chicken stock is made. Then you can discard the bones. You can use the leftover potatoes and carrots, add a little celery and you have chicken soup the next day. Easy, delicious and CHEAP!!!!
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