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10 Questions with ... Bobby "Da Man With Issues" Holiday
June 27, 2006
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NAME:Bobby "Da Man With Issues" HolidayLAST WITH:KKBT(100.3 THE BEAT)/Los AngelesPHONE:(323) 572-2225 or (323) 572-5616EMAIL:bobbyholiday@yahoo.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I'm a 19 year radio vet. My career started in 1986 at college radio WWQC (90.3 FM) in Quincy, IL. My first commercial gig was WQCY (99Q) in Quincy, IL. Most of my career was spent in Urban radio with Steve Crumbley at WOWI (103 JAMZ)/Norfolk; Brian Wallace at WQMG (POWER 97)/Greensboro, NC; Elroy Smith at WGCI/Chicago; Al Payne at KRNB (105.7)/Dallas and Tom Calococci at WPHI (PHILLY 103.9)/Philadelphia & KKBT(100.3 THE BEAT)/LA.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I have ALWAYS believed in myself as well as my ability to capture an audience. I stay motivated knowing that my next gig will be the best gig I've ever taken.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
LIVING LIFE!!! I do a lot of book reading, I'm exercising and traveling. For anyone else on the beach do not stay in your home!!! Get yo ass out of the house and smell some air!!! Your gig will come when it's time!!!
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.
Being out of radio confirms my belief that we, as air-talents, ain't serving our listeners well at all! I read Dan O'Day's book "Personality Radio" in 1987 and a quote I read in that book became my on-air philosophy: GIVE THE LISTENER A REASON TO LISTEN. With so many mediums vying for our entertainment eyes and ears, it is more imperative NOW to super-serve our listeners than ever.
4) What is your best way to get your foot in the door?
Annoy and pester the people that are doing exactly what you want to do. Most air-talents have been where you are and a few will understand your situation. Also, never EVER underestimate "good sound networking."
5) So far what has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
DR. JERRY BOULDING of ALLACCESS.COM (can I suck up or what?!?!) Man, if Jerry dies I'll never get a gig.
6) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
I sent a package with a helium-filled balloon attached to it in a box to George Hamilton (then the PD at WAMO in Pittsburgh). As the box was opened the balloon rose from the box and on it read "if you want your ratings to be like this balloon...hire me." At the least it got me an interview.
7) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
Because of some of the major markets I've worked a lot of folks believe I'm too expensive. I'm not expensive...I'm just not CHEAP!!! There's a difference. I get a lot of PDs who'll ask right from the start "how much is it gonna cost just to have this conversation?"
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?
YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!! That's where the traveling comes into play. I'm headed to four cities in June (Chicago, Philly, Miami & Dallas) to visit family and friends.
9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment has yet to be accomplished. But since you need an answer to this question, when I lived on a roof of a restaurant until my Eagles won a football game and garnered local and national media coverage... THAT would be DA BIG ONE.
10) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I am more than grateful that a lot of people in and out of this business are "glad to see me coming and sad to see me going." I have affected sooooo many lives and have made a difference to soooo many that it is a mind-numbing AWESOME feeling to know that I, as well as my work, MATTERS.
Bonus Questions
Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?
KEVIN LILES "MAKE IT HAPPEN." He rose from being an intern at Def Jam records to being the PRESIDENT of Def Jam. Awesome book ... inspirational read!!!
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