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10 Questions with ... Don Whitman
September 22, 2009
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NAME:Don WhitmanLAST WITH:WYSX-WNCQ-WPAC/Ogdensburg, NYPHONE:(315) 854-5801EMAIL:donwhitman@twcny.rr.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I started this journey at the age of 16 board-opping high school football games and weekends at WQXA-FM in York, Pa. Then it's all a blur with...
Nights at WHTO/Williamsport, PA in 1996
Overnights/Middays /Nights/MD at WOCQ/Ocean City, MD (OC104) in 1998
Part-time at Q102/Philly in 2000
Nights at WQZQ (The Party)/Nashville 2001
Swing/Middays/Overnights at WWWQ/Atlanta 2003
Nights at KZZO/Sacramento 2006
PD/Afternoons at WFNR (Hot 100)/Blacksburg, VA
And most recently Group PD for a Top 40, Country and Oldies station in Ogdensburg, NY1) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
I'd like to. It's all I've done since I was a kid. That being said, I'm thinking that living out my childhood dreams doesn't fit my lifestyle as much as it used to. I'm definitely looking at other options outside the business as well.
2) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
All Access has the best tools available. I'm also hitting up a lot of old friends and networking as best I can.
3) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
I drove about 1,800 miles and stayed in a hotel on my own dime for an audition. Didn't get the job and I wish I got my dime back.
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I thought about this long and hard ... I love being a PD -- the creativity (if it's allowed), developing talent and watching them grow ... and live the dream. But, honestly, I miss it all -- on-air, imaging, production, promotions, even scheduling music. Any job that would allow me to get my hands dirty and be an integral part of the on-air sound is what I'm looking for.
5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
As a former PD, I can tell you that hearing something back is a long shot. When I posted a job, I had the best intentions of at least writing a thank you e-mail to everyone who applied, but when you're getting a couple hundred e-mails for one position, along with juggling my day-to-day duties, it becomes very tough, and I understand if I don't hear anything.
6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
Being a PD who has posted jobs on All Access, it is nearly impossible to separate yourself. There are way too many qualified applicants, along with even more unqualified applicants. I'm old school ... the first 30 seconds of an aircheck is all I listened to, to make it in the short stack. I'm hoping that my first 30 seconds does the same.
7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
When I started in radio, I was 16. Right then and there I set myself a goal: work full-time at a major-market station by the time I was 25. I did everything I could. I airchecked myself daily, and sent airchecks to jocks at major stations so they could critique me. I made the moves in radio that I had to do to get where I wanted to go. When I got the call asking me about full-time, I literally fell to the floor. I was so happy, I could barely talk. I was shaking with adrenaline. I got that call when I was 23. To some industry vets, that might not be a big deal, but it was what I had strived for. To me it was a reward.
8) 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?
Not a chance. There are people who would. I can't blame them; people need to eat and provide, but unfortunately that doesn't put a value on air talent anymore.
9) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
Right before I was let go, I was teaching an intern who was just in love with radio. He had a hunger that I haven't seen in quite some time. Thinking back, it sounded negative, but I told him to "always be ready." Be ready to move at the drop of a hat, be ready to head to the studios at 3a because something is off the air, be ready to have a job on Monday, only to lose it on Tuesday. Just be ready for anything, because anything will happen, good or bad. He understood, and by God, he was willing to "be ready!"
10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
I took my job at my most recent former employer too quickly. I thought I did my homework, only to realize that I didn't do enough when I got here. My next move will be more methodical and thought out. I will sleep on it more if there is a next time.
Bonus Questions
What's your handicap now that you've had time to practice?
Well, in between radio gigs, I was working on becoming a PGA Pro at a golf course. I could smack it around pretty good; it was around a 2. The problem is golf costs money, money I no longer have. But I could always practice my putting!
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