10 Questions with ... Don Black

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WPIA/Peoria, IL (Top 40) PD/mornings/afternoons
• WZPW-WRPW/Peoria & Bloomington IL (Rhythmic) PD/mornings/afternoons
• KRNA/Cedar Rapids (Active Rock/Classic Rock) mornings/middays/nights
• KKRQ/Iowa City (Classic Rock) nights
• B96/Chicago (Rhythmic) board op/producer

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

Every day I get a message from someone who I've either worked for or has worked for me who send messages of support. And I'm always getting messages from listeners who thank me for what I've done for them. They keep me motivated. They help me to understand that there are real people still in this business and listeners who still love the people who do radio the right way. Plus I have an amazing family who believes in me.

2) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

Still listening everyday ... especially a lot of Talk and Sports radio. I've got the time to really get into the discussions now.

3) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?

Radio has been my life since the age of 16; I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

4) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

All Access (of course) plus many friends who have called with leads.

5) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

I would love to do mornings or PD or do both.

6) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied?

I've had a couple people call or e-mail, but overall it hasn't been good. You still gotta press on. The real people in this business always call back ... whether they have something for you or not.

7) 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've gotten to spend a lot of time with my family and reconnect with lots of old friends. It's been more of a mini-vacation. But I'm ready to get back to work.

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

My biggest career accomplishment would be everything that I did in Peoria. First taking WZPW -- a station that people left for dead back in 2003 -- and turning it into the powerhouse it is today. Then going to WPIA and putting up a valiant effort against my former station. My goal in moving to Peoria was to make the radio landscape better. I'd like to say that there are still people I've trained, plus shows and concepts that I brought to the market, that are still on the air today. That makes me feel like I accomplished my goal.

9) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?

I've learned who you can really count on in your time of need. There are countless people who I talk to every day who still call to check up on me and to give me leads. Those people I haven't heard from ... well, I guess they'll talk to me again when I'm working.

10) Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I could see myself as an OM in a Top-50 market.

What great movie have you recently seen?

I just watched David Mamet's Red Belt. Pretty deep and pretty good.