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10 Questions with ... Mike Sullivan
October 18, 2005
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NAME:Mike SullivanLAST WITH:Currently doing weekends-swing at WBCN/BostonPHONE:248-943-3329WEBSITE:www.mikesullivanradioguy.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history...
2003-Present: WBCN/Boston (Weekends\Swing - "Sully")
1996-2001: Planet 96.3 WHYT-WPLT/Detroit (Executive Morning Show Producer\Air Talent - "Hadji")
1994-1996: WHOB/Nashua, NH (Weekends\Swing - "Mike Sullivan")
1990-1995: WZOU-WJMN/Boston (Morning Show Producer\Air Talent - "Hadji")
1989-1990: WXPL Fitchburg, MA (Air Talent - "Sully")1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
To stay motivated I just look at this big pile of bills I have. I stay positive by talking to the WBCN listeners when I am on the air. They seem to like the funny stories I find.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Lots and lots of show prep. And I am constantly updating my website with airchecks. Once I get a fulltime gig, I will return my website to its original use, which was a tool I used to keep in touch with listeners by posting music news and stories I used during my show, and then talking to them about the show on my message board.
3) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
I wouldn't say it was totally crazy, but when I came back to Boston, I walked into WBCN with my aircheck and resume. Two days later I got an audition. Thanks Oedi!
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I would just love to be on the air fulltime again. Preferably as part of a Morning Show again. Then work my way to hosting one.
5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
After sending follow up e-mails on packages I have sent, I have received a couple replies. But overall, no one seems to send any response. I know how busy it can be for GMs, PDs, APDs, etc. Why not just have some generic rejection letter and have an intern stuff some envelopes or send out a giant e-mail (without e-addresses in the bcc section, of course) once a week? It would at least ease our minds and stop us from bugging you.
6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs, how do you separate yourself from the pack?
I just try to be me. Either you like me or you don't. If I am hired to work for you, you'll get 110% from me. Here's an example, my house had a minor fire a couple years ago. Lots of smoke damage. I called work to tell them what was going on, and where I'd be staying. A few hours after my call, they called me and needed me to fill in that night. And I was there.
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I hardly listen to the radio, mainly because if I come up with a funny bit or a great joke, I want it to be mine. And I really don't need to hear Green Day more than I already am!
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?
I'd like to say that I am, but they all have families now. It's hard to get them to go watch the Sox/Pats/Bruins when they have kids. But when we do go out, someone's got to bring the bail money! Then the next day I have to send their wives flowers because it's usually my fault.
9) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?
Somewhere out there is a picture of me -- in a dress, with full make up -- that we tried getting into a local newspaper's Wedding\Engagement Announcements. We were going to do a "Find The Ugly Bride" contest. It was never printed in the paper. And if one day I were to get ridiculously famous, that will probably be in my True Hollywood Story. And the dress made my butt look big.
Bonus Questions
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?
It would depend on if there is an NHL team in the market and if they'd let me use some of the company's season tickets.
Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
Be willing to move. Make friends once you're in. Don't give up on your dream. And you can always fake liking Garth Brooks if you are a Metallica Fan. So send your stuff to everyone!!!
Uh oh, now you're on your own for getting new music. If applicable, name your two most recent purchases since leaving the biz.
Dream Theater -- "Octavarium"
Dane Cook -- "Retaliation" -
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