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10 Questions with ... Timothy Shelton
May 2, 2006
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NAME:Timothy SheltonLAST WITH:WUHT/BirminghamPHONE:423-622-7508
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
My career started in the school of HARD KNOCKS ... working for several small central and southern Texas radio stations (some at the same time). My first break was doing Country overnights in Victoria, then it was off to Beaumont to do CHR. That station died, but the company kept me around for midday's on its Hot AC. Next, Brandon Shaw at KQXY/Beaumont hired me to fill-in, and from there I went to Corpus Christi to do Classic Rock until Hurricane Brett blew me back east into the waiting arms of Urban Magic 102.5 in Beaumont. After that, I got my first crack at programming on Urban AC WLOV in Chattanooga. From there I went back to Texas to help Lou Bennett with a Urban start-up in Lufkin/Nacogdoches. Next, I assumed the OM slot over the Country and Hot AC stations there. Then THE CALL came from Birmingham to do mornings on Urban AC WUHT. 9 months later the Steve Harvey show broke my stride. Boy... 14 years went by fast
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
A strong Prayer life is a must. Toss in a good "old school" weight room with lots of weights and hot young ladies...ahhh utopia.
2) 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.
From the outside looking in, I realize that I am guilty of taking radio for granted. Free music, use of office equipment, coffee, lunch on occasion, I don't think we truly know how good we have it until we don't. I Love you radio, can I come back home now???
3) Do you plan on sticking with the radio biz?
Yes I do. Most industries don't allow their Inmates to run the asylum.
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'd like to host afternoons and wear APD/MD stripes in a top 20 market.
5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
Not bad. I've gotten a couple of callbacks and a few e-mails proving that these guys have class, even if they didn't hire me.
6) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
The biggest surprise is that medium $$$ and a low cost of living goes a lot further than BIG $$$$$ and a high cost of living (The moral: Working in the majors isn't what we think). Another surprise is companies who don't honor their end of a contract, but expect you to.
7) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
An urban PD in Lake Charles, Louisiana asked me if I could sound more BLACK on air, and HE was Black!
8) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
By being a jack of all formats, day-parts, production duties and a problem solving manager.
9) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
Working in this business this long has hurt my listening for enjoyment, but in a good radio market (Atlanta is my fave) I don't have to arm chair program as much.
10 Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
I'd tell them don't believe the hype, this biz is hard to break into and harder to stay in. Study your craft, because even at your very best there's someone who wants it a little more than you do.
Bonus Questions
Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?
Sure, The Spam Jailhouse spread:
1 can of Spam
1 pkg Top Ramon
1 slice of cheese
Salt and pepper to taste ... and a drunken night to help you "savor the flavor." -
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