10 Questions with ... Johnny Thomas (Its Me, Its Me, JT)

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in radio in 2002 at a station in Janesville, WI (WKPO) as an intern/mixer. Worked my way up to Production Dir./middays and eventually became a successful morning host for the station. Left WKPO in April 2007 because of a format change and ended up in Destin, FL as morning show host/APD for WFLY (Fly 92). I left WFLY in September 2007. I'm currently in Baton Rouge, LA working part-time as an on-air personality/Production Assistant/Mixer for KQXL (Q106.5). I would consider this chillin' on the beach ... LOL

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

Working on freelance production, working on imaging projects and learning how to edit video.

2) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Yes, I love radio and all aspects of the medium. I love the challenge of being creative ... and rising to the occasion. I would not have it any other way.

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

All Access.

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

I sent some Hip-Hop mixes to my first station in Wisconsin in hopes of getting them on the air. The PD (Dan Hunt) requested that I send more mixes because he wanted to run them. I figured this was my chance to break into radio, so I moved to Wisconsin from Chicago to try to get on the air.

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

On-air personality/Production Director -- with a heavy emphasis on Production Director. I love production/imaging and the creative aspect of producing commercials and promotional spots.

6) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)

Unfortunately, this is a question that gets me a little aggravated. I have received e-mails from PDs and GMs that stated "look to hear from us soon" and ... nothing. I know PDs are busy and I understand that, but a brief e-mail to let you know they went another direction or "We are not interested" would be nice. It's called courtesy. But besides that, I keep pressing on ... I am hopeful...

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

Absolutely, I listen to all formats. I want to hear how personalities sound, how the imaging and production sounds. I am always looking to better my on-air/production presence and listening to others helps me do that.

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment was at my first station WKPO/Janesville, WI (Shout-out to Dan Hunt, Keith Williams and Sean Thompson.) I started as an intern taking out the garbage at the station and doing mixes for the night show (don't laugh) and worked my way up to Production Dir./middays, then eventually became a successful morning show host.

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?

I would because I consider myself a "GRINDER." I rise to the occasion. Put me in the market, and I would find a way to make money to make up the difference of money lost. I love the game of radio!

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

Stay hungry, be humble, be able to take criticism, establish relationships with PDs, OMs ... never get comfortable and be persistent.

My favorite new diversion is...

I just got into editing video ... a new challenge for me.