-
10 Questions with ... J.J.
September 26, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:J.J.LAST WITH:KDWB/Minneapolis-St. PaulPHONE:(651) 324-9407EMAIL:jjontheair@yahoo.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I was the 14 yr. old radio dork wannabe speed dialing the night jock every night. Then I spun records at a roller rink, complete with my own jingles & sweepers! Then did the mobile DJ things (two words: HOT BRIDESMAIDS). Interned at my small hometown Top 40, moved to PT, then nights where I learned radio 101 and was an iconic figure every time I went to the mall.
WMRV/Star 105.7 Binghamton, NY - Intern/PT/Nights/Imaging 12/97-12/00
WWHT/Hot 107-9 Syracuse, NY - PT 02/00-7/00
WKRZ/98.5 KRZ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA - Nights/Imaging 12/00-12/03
WHTZ/Z100 New York City - PT 04/02-12/03
KDWB/101.3 KDWB *Late Nights - 12/03-08/061) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Staying positive 100% of the time is unrealistic. There's at least one brief second everyday where I catch myself thinking, "This REALLY sucks." Especially in my situation. But, the other 99% of the time, I know that in life itself, and not even radio alone, things always seem to work out. Hope so! This could be the best thing that's ever happened. Time will tell ...
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Errands ... lots and lots of them. Hangin' with my lifelong friends I've made here in the Twin Cities, 'cause I know I'll be gone soon. Now the only problem is I have to attempt to get back to a normal sleeping pattern. I'm so used to staying up 'til 5am.
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.
There have been 4 or 5 times within the last year -- while doing a load of production --that I have asked myself, "Why the hell am I doing this?" Then I reassure myself that this is my ticket and was the road I chose to take. If not radio, I'd like to dive into some TV stuff and I'm actually looking into that. But, I still have a deep passion for this biz and the radio art form. At the end of the day, two words sum it up: IT'S RADIO. If you logically can't use that phrase as an excuse every time you question this industry, you need to get out. I still can. This is probably the most cutthroat business outside of Hollywood, but damn it's fun, isn't it?
4) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
Absolutely. I've heard that folding shirts at Abercrombie sucks!
5) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This. It's been a couple of weeks now, and I'm already getting the itch.
6) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
Classified. Half of standing out and being original is keeping your mouth shut.
7) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I've still got a couple more years left with "night gas." Either that, or maybe make the segue into afternoons ... hopefully in a major or large market. I still have that mentality and attitude.
8) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
Network, network, network. Go through your cell and email database and see how many people in the INDUSTRY (not your radio cluster) you know. You should be in the HIGH double digits, if not more. On-air talent is the cake, skills (imaging, Selector, etc) is the icing. Sprinkles are all the jocks, PD's, GM's, VP's, etc!
9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
There are several. Every station on my resume, I've wanted to work at. I didn't just apply to see if I'd get a call. Being at a Z100 jock meeting was surreal ... hearing a KDWB jingle on air while my plane was on approach was really cool. Every time a PD calls after you send a package, that itself, is an accomplishment in my book.
10) Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
Major Market mornings or PM driving for a select few phenomenal stations. Or TV, if I get the shot to host something on E!, Entertainment Tonight or Extra. That'd be a cool way to branch out from the radio tree.
Bonus Questions
1) Great movies I've recently seen ...
"Waiting!" Anytime you have a party, throw it on. It's literally "Van Wilder" set inside an Applebee's. I think tonight I'm going to watch Private Parts. If you don't know why, you shouldn't be reading this!
-
-