10 Questions with ... Joe Michaels

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I've been in the radio industry since my freshman year of college when a pair of local personalities interviewed a roomful of students for three internship positions at WABJ-WQTE in Adrian, MI. Two years after securing one of those opportunities, I accepted a paid spot on staff and have never looked back!

I got my first big break when CRB Hall of Famer "Uncle Don" Rhea hired me for the afternoon-drive slot on WATZ in Alpena, MI. Since that time, I've programmed stations in Michigan, Minnesota and Oregon - including converting WHAK from a satellite-delivered outlet to a live, local radio station across town in Alpena. I've initiated and developed local sports coverage for multiple radio outlets; designed and maintained music rotations; spearheaded on-air promotions, hosted afternoon-drive shows in various locations and an evening request show at WMDH, the top-rated station in Muncie, IN. I was also on the WFMS team in Indianapolis that won back-to-back Large Market Station of the Year awards in 2000 and 2001.

Additionally, I developed and hosted an interview/talk show for the former KJOX in Astoria, OR; anchored and reported on news and sports for various stations; and traveled professionally as the play-by-play voice of the Duluth (MN) Huskies Baseball Club. I've had great success as a play-by-play announcer for high school and collegiate athletics - including network assignments in three states; directly assisted a CEO with starting an internet broadcasting company; and mentored collegiate broadcasting students in Minnesota's Twin Cities.

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

I've found that getting involved with other opportunities and staying in touch with friends who remind me that my value as a person has not diminished because I lost my job helps me maintain a positive attitude. As for motivation, I've never been married and my parents are deceased. Realizing that there's no one to fall back on tends to keep me on my toes. As Stephen King once wrote, "A man has two choices. He can either get busy living or get busy dying."

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

As I'm literally at the beach while "on the beach;" taking time to appreciate the amenities of my location has helped me stay sane while searching for my next opportunity. Bicycle riding, hiking, kite-flying and enjoying ocean sunsets are truly good for the soul! I've also stayed involved with the local community - attending the games I used to broadcast, for example, only now in the capacity of a fan. It's given me an opportunity to get to know some of my former listeners. I've also worked as a network announcer for the OSAA state finals broadcasts.

In the past, I've spent "beach time" facilitating grief support groups, working as an assistant manager for the Yankee Candle Company, freelancing as a sports play-by-play announcer and even working as a media relations intern for the Philadelphia Phillies. I've also been involved in the dance community where I independently taught classes and made lots of friends. After all, for every guy who can dance, there are 15 gals looking for a good partner!

3) What has frustrated you most about your current job-seeking experience?

My biggest frustration in terms of job-hunting is that I'm finding it difficult to receive serious consideration for positions that differ slightly from work I've done in the past. It seems that many programmers listen to an aircheck in search of something that sounds exactly like what their station is doing instead of noticing talent that successfully executed the format or job description where they were/are. For example, if I've performed well in the Country format and dominated in the "Female 25-54" demographic while doing so, it's likely my skills will nicely transfer to an Adult Contemporary audience. I'm also disheartened by the number of programmers who dismiss an application because it comes in from a geographical distance.

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

I flew from Minnesota to Oregon on my own dime for an in-person interview to make sure I was the one they hired. I got the job! Having since been laid off, financial constraints may force me to be a bit more creative this time around. Perhaps these "10 Questions" will help...

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

A stable one! As for specifics ... I'm open to possibilities and hope that flexibility might offer me a better chance of being employed. I've been successful in a variety of situations and would like to parlay that into something that utilizes my many skills. In terms of an air shift, I do very well with the female demographic and enjoy the music director aspect of the business. While I'd love to host an AC radio show, I don't want to limit my options. I've done well in the Country format. I also do well with the guys as a sports play-by-play announcer. I've discovered that I conduct a really good interview! Being naturally curious, I'd love to find a way to include that in my job description. I'm open to doing news. I've also initiated and developed some great promotional events. I'm a social creature and enjoy being around and with good people. I'd enjoy a position where I can be actively involved in the community. I've spent the majority of my career in PM Drive.

6) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

While some might point to the fact that I've been part of market-leading and heritage stations, that I brought local sports coverage to a five-county area of Northeast Michigan, or that I transformed a station from a satellite-entity into a live and local outlet; I think my greatest accomplishment has been my ability to utilize my position for the benefit of others. In Rochester, MN, for example, I initiated numerous charitable efforts including roof-sits benefiting the American Cancer Society, a cluster-wide campaign that raised money for a local fire victim, and a successful effort to return a homeless man to his family. Donations totaled over $10,000! While I was merely the channel, the feeling of accomplishment with these events is greater than anything I've ever felt in my life.

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

During my downtime, I've learned that when I apply the skills I honed as an interview/talk show host to my daily interactions, I'm often amazed with the results. By setting aside my opinions or agenda and turning the focus to the other person, I learn -- and learn about -- many things. By genuinely listening to what another has to say, I often walk away feeling more fulfilled than if I had just regaled them with my own stories.

8) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?

In the early days of my career, I wasn't really prepared to handle the success I found in the public eye. While my intentions were always good, I'm afraid there was a time in my life where I wasn't as graceful behind the scenes as I wish I could tell you I was. In fact, there were times I was rather arrogant and self-centered - without really even being conscious of it. I'm sure I wasn't always the nicest person to be around back then. Twenty years later, I look back and want to say, "I'm sorry" to those who encountered me in my "less than stellar" moments. I think I've grown a lot since then. I hope it shows.

9) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?

Have a good backup plan. It's a rare individual who will go through his or her entire radio career without experiencing being laid off or fired. Develop other marketable skills that you can use to sustain yourself during the times you're without radio work.

10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?

As with the last time I was "on the beach," I envision returning with an even greater sense of gratitude for the opportunity I'll have been given.

Great Movies I've Recently Seen:

The Soloist; Gran Torino; Snow Cake; Nothing but the Truth; Red Dust (with Hilary Swank); The Snow Walker; and yet another encore presentation of my all-time favorite, The Shawshank Redemption.