10 Questions with ... Jonathan Monk & Dianna Kelly

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

We've been doing a morning show together in medium, large and major markets for nearly two decades. (Yeah, we were 12 when we started.) Our husband-and-wife collaboration played in Austin, Fresno, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Atlanta. During the course of our careers, we've worn many hats, including promotions, news, public affairs, programming and music. We've also worked a number of formats, largely some form of AC with a Rock twist.

1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

Jonathan has always been excited about new talent, so he set up a talent management and publicity company over a year ago. He's had the chance to grow his business and set up the framework to make it portable. Dianna's been writing like a fiend, and has a couple of books finished and a couple more in the process of being written. Both of us still host a show for a local cable channel.

2) Do you plan on sticking with the radio industry?

That's the plan, although some of the other things we've been working on since we've been out will be part of our future as well. Just more back burner than front burner.

3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

This would be it. We've never actually been out of the industry for more than a few months, but people are more cautious about hiring, with the economy as crazy as it's been. And we've actually been hit with the "overqualified" label when all we want to do is work. Not all vets expect radio to make them rich.

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

It's who you know, baby. It's also helpful to scan company career sites regularly, and of course, we check out the "jobs" section of All Access.

5) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

We filmed a "Mr. Bill" knock-off sketch for our morning show philosophy. Our children winced when they saw it.

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

We'd like to be able to stick together as a team, although we're not fussy about format or daypart. We just want to be in a place where we can (don't laugh) put down roots and help out the community.

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

The classiest rejection we got was from a major market, where the PD said she loved our show, but they were going to go with a local talent because localism was important to them. We totally respected that, because it's important to us, too. Of course, there are others who won't even send you a form e-mail, and unfortunately, they're in the majority.

8) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

Well, we're married and we treat our audience like extended family. We're both first-borns so we tend to take action first and ask questions later. We're passionate about public service (in all aspects of the word) and after a couple of decades of living and working together, we haven't killed each other yet.

9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

We could say it was when we were nominated for a national award, but really it was when we were able to raise six figures for the family of a local police officer in a single weekend, just by broadcasting from a Walmart parking lot in Las Vegas. There was a woman who was a stripper who brought in all her tips for the night, saying how much she appreciated the cops keeping her safe.

10) What do you miss the most about radio? The least?

We miss being able to make a difference in the community. For example, we always did the career days at the middle schools in the area, but when our own son was finally able to attend one, we were out of work, and no one from our (former) station was there. On the other hand, we don't miss having to ditch some of our kids' events because we're off on a promotion or live broadcast.

Our favorite new diversion is ...

Facebook! We didn't spend a whole lot of time with it when we were working, but now we've been reconnecting with all of our former classmates, colleagues and friends. It really helps us keep things in perspective, when we realize that ours is not the only industry facing reinvention.