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10 Questions with ... Jason 'Knight' Hamman
July 14, 2009
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NAME:Jason 'Knight' HammanLAST WITH:Radiostar Inc., Champaign, IL (WQQB-FM)PHONE:812-618-5773EMAIL:heymisterdj05@yahoo.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
Got into the biz at 16, working part-time at various stations through high school and college. From there, the lineup inlcudes...
* HOT 96 WSTO/Evansville, IN -- overnights, weekends, morning show producer and fill-in talent on sister Classic Rock WABX.
* HOT 102 WLTO/Lexington, KY -- nights and international headline maker (yeah, I'm the "100 Grand" guy ... lesson learned!)
* 93.1 The Party-WYDS/Decatur, IL -- afternoons & production guru
* 101.5 CIL-FM/Carbondale, IL -- Knight Show host & MD
*Q96 WQQB/Champaign, IL -- Started out on nights, then pulled double-duty as afternoons, Production Director, and general NO sleep-getter!1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I'm spending more time with family, working on side projects, and staying connected to pop culture. You shouldn't allow yourself to lose touch with what's going on around you just because you're out of work. One thing I've learned in radio ... you NEVER stop show prepping!
2) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This one ... seven months! I'm starting to feel like Tom Hanks in "Castaway." I even have a set of headphones named 'Koss Da Boss' that I call my friend. We've had some pretty rad adventures!
3) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Checking job boards and sites like All Access religiously, reading the trades and doing a LOT of networking with friends in the biz on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'd love to finally earn my PD stripes in a Top 40/Hot AC, or Country format. I know both formats extremely well and would like the opportunity to lead a staff and prove that my knowledge and experience can WIN! Doing a morning show is also on my "to-do" list.
5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
About 70/30. Seventy percent of the time I send out my stuff, play the waiting game, and indirectly hear the position was filled through the trades. That said, larger market peeps tend to send feedback in a more reasonable amount of time. Any response will calm the nerves and a returned e-mail/call says a lot about the person or company hiring.
6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
By not being a one-trick pony and showing what other skills I possess aside from the talent. Stuff like: website design, imaging, digital video/audio editing. It's especially important nowadays that you have a full understanding of 360-degree web branding and incorporate those skills into your own site or blog, social network, etc.
7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
I don't think I'm there yet. I've accomplished a lot of things I'm proud of, but I always strive to do better.
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I spend way too much time deciding what to wear. Where am I going? I'm broke. I can't afford to go out!
9) 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 the biz?
That depends on the offer. I've settled for second best before and although I love this business, we're in a recession that's really hurting the industry and making it harder to find the ideal job. However, knowing what you're worth, what you want, and putting your goals out there will help to get you there.
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?
I don't think any of us can predict that but I would like to see myself as a good husband/father, a multi-successful PD, and a household name in a community (not only for my work on the air, but contributions outside the studio).
Bonus Questions
My favorite new diversion is ...
The Everything-Here-Is-Under-A-Dollar store. All of life's necessities for 60 cents!
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