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10 Questions with ... Ayo
November 10, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Musician for this band, featuring slasher film actress Lezlie Deane:
www.reverbnation.com/scarycherryandthebangbangs
Contributing music journalist for the Dallas Observer.
9 1/2 years at KDGE/Dallas. It was amazing.
12 years at WKLS/Atlanta. It was a hell of a run.
I've also voicetracked morning-drive shows for KCNL/San Jose and WBZY/Atlanta, and nights for KIOC/Beaumont.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Music and exercise, mainly. Luckily for me, I can combine those two playing drums in a weird, punky rock band with a hot nasty female singer. : )
My son also really keeps me going! My friends are very supportive as well. I'm blessed!
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Freelancing. I write, play, and I learn. I've been immersing myself in music, journalism, and marketing. I won't lie ... I've also kicked some serious ass at some first-person shooter games!
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 have a policy to not take ANY of it personally... especially since I was laid off. It's easy to get sensitive about it when you see your still-employed colleagues tweet about being VIP-this, or dinner-that. Good for them! I'm so thankful that I got over 10 years of that life ... it was amazing!
Take a minute to think about the situation before you let your feelings take control.
Those ex-colleagues of yours, for instance? They're short-handed, and working harder than ever ... and morale probably isn't at its highest at your old gig right now, either ... so I actually feel for them as well. The biz is hurting bad, and I have nothing but sympathy, thoughts, and support for that. Things are tough all over!
"Don't cry because it"s over ... smile because it happened!" - Dr Seuss.
4) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
Mayb? I'm bodysurfing, man. It feels great ... and free! I'm healthier and happier than I've ever been in my life! I'm going where the current takes me, and so far, in the last six months, it's taken me to playing live music, music journalism, back into class, and cutting new paths as well ... for me, its been an exploration in PR, marketing, and even sales a little.
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Sure, I'm still applying for broadcast stuff, but I refuse to surrender exclusively to that job market while hunting! That's a terrible, short-sighted way to map out your career!
5) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This one! Sic months now. It's only my second time being unemployed in radio in over 20 years, though ... I cant complain. I've worked/lived in two markets ... held each gig for a decade or more ... that's awesome, and I'm very thankful!
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
All I know is ... one that makes me happy, and allows me to nurture my family and my mortgage. That's all I want.
7) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
Most of the time, zip. Not even a courtesy rejection. Flaky, sub-par professionalism. Although, I understand and forgive them ... they're obviously overrun with applicants.
Ironically, one of the nicest has been my own alma mater who laid me off. The whole experience of returning there to interview for something was amazing. I was made to feel very welcome and loved! No mater what becomes of that, it just made me feel good.
8) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
Yes, but I'm more explorative now. It's still hard to listen to the Edge, but I love keeping up with them, and with my jock friends there through social media. I like to surf the whole dial, and really diversify. If I can go to from Sniff and the Tears to the Zac Brown Band to '74 AC/DC, I'm lovin' life! Texas radio, for the most part, is pretty cool. A lot of people here might feel spoiled/bored with it, but all it takes is a trip to a smaller, sleepier town, and you appreciate the blowtorches in market #4 again. : )
9) 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'm busier than ever, but I insist upon making time for those things now ... they're my heartbeat.
10) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I leanred that there is life after corporate radio. I learned that 98% of my friends, including radio/records, will still treat you the same. That was a high for me ... I really thought Id be an outcast from that pool.
I've learned that there is an infinite amount of other things I can do! I used to be terrified
I'd be screwed without radio, because it's all I've done since I was 18. Starting a new path, a.k.a. initiating change, is not comfortable, and it's not predictable, but it will expand your horizons and your mind, and you'll never ever regret it. It's all about learning, and living.
Bonus Questions
Great movies I've recently seen ...
"Wild Things Are" got me so emotional I grew a vagina.
Seen "Zombieland" THREE times now! It rules. It reigns.
"The Soloist" is my new favorite movie. Sorry, Seven.
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