10 Questions with ... Ken Merson "The Merson Person"

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 1974-82 - WCBM/Baltimore, MD (Metromedia) Overnight/midday/PM drive
• 1982-86 - WBSB (B104)/Baltimore (Scripps-Howard) Middays
• 1986-89 - WWMX (MIX 106.5)/Baltimore (Capitol) MD/PM drive
• 1990-05 - WQSR/Baltimore. MD (Sconnix, ARS, Infinity, CBS) MD/Midday
• 2005-07 - WLIF aka 101.9 LITE FM/Baltimore (CBS) MD/PM Drive
• 2007-Now - WOLX/Madison, WI (Entercom) Middays (voicetracked)
• 2007-08 - WSNA aka SNAP 94.1/Memphis, TN (Entercom) (Middays voicetracked)
• 2009-09 - WKQK/Memphis, TN (Entercom) (Middays voicetracked)
• 2009-Now - WIAD aka 94-7 FRESH-FM/Washington, DC (CBS) (Weekends/relief)

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

I'm grateful to be voicetracking middays for PD David Moore at Entercom's Classic Hits 94.9 WOLX/Madison, WI and working "live" weekends at CBS Radio DC's 94-7 FRESH-FM for PD Steve Davis. The wisest move I made after "washing up on the beach" in 2006 was to install a home studio, which enables me complete flexibility to meet potential outsourced voice opportunities. Although I'd love to work "live" day-to-day at an actual radio station, I'm fortunate to be able to tap into this alternate option via today's technology. On a personal level, I'm enjoying more time with family (especially my two beautiful granddaughters) and wonderful friends, too. I've enjoyed many a nosh with radio friends who are in similar life-changing situations. Giving up and isolating are not on my options list.

2) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

I was simultaneously crushed and oddly relieved when my day-to-day employment ended. Ultimately, it was paramount for me to keep moving forward. I wanted to scream each time some still-employed broadcasters kvetched about having to multi-task, voicetrack co-owned stations, etc. They were still employed, earning a salary and receiving benefits, while I was wondering where my next dollar would come from. They had no clue what it was like being on the outside looking in. Losing my livelihood -- especially in an uncertain economic climate -- is the single most daunting professional experience of my life. I thank my Higher Power every day for the smallest of favors. Be grateful for the good fortunes you possess.

3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Absolutely! This is what I do! I've had four long years to objectively weigh and measure my answer. The job pickings may be slim to none. but I continue to remain optimistic.

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

That could be either three months or three years, three months depending on how you choose to interpret that. Three months after being cut loose from daily employment, I was recruited by Entercom's insightful VP/Programming Bill Pasha to voicetrack middays for Classic Hits 94.9 WOLX Madison, WI. His generosity and faith in me led to additional outsourced projects at Entercom's Memphis, TN and Gainesville, FL clusters. Conversely, three years and three months passed before I actually opened a "live" on-air mic. That's when (then) 94-7 FRESH FM Washington, DC PD Greg Dunkin threw me a much appreciated lifeline. I did that first show white-knuckled and knocked-kneed but lived to tell.

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

All Access is my daily appointment destination for instant possibilities. Joel Denver, Dave Hoeffel, et al continue to go out of their respective ways to support me and countless others by keeping us connected, informed, supported and positive. Additionally, I have been tremendously encouraged by the impact of online social networking. For instance, a potential employer read on my Facebook status that I was on-air "live' at 94-7 FRESH-FM in DC, listened to me via the station's online stream, liked what he heard, made contact and selected me as one of the final three for a top-15 market opening. Although I didn't land the position, someone thoughtfully extended themselves by reaching out to me. Don't underestimate the power of All Access and networking platforms.

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

Whether it's a "live" or a voicetracked opportunity, I'd genuinely like to continue on-air and put my 20 years of Selector expertise to work. Nothing would be more fulfilling than to know I accomplished my creative goals as a radio entertainer, connected positively with an audience each and every day and made behind-the-scenes contributions that advanced my team.

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

Four years ago my response would have been "What callbacks? What e-mails? What rejection letters?" Only two contacts out of several hundred reciprocated, which absolutely stunned me. Fast forward to now and I'm finding encouraging signs of professional courtesies. I've been in the running for a few out-of-market opportunities and outsourced voicetracking gigs and have found that the ratio of accepted and returned contacts has improved. Strangely, I've never received word one regarding any of the job openings I've applied for via the major companies' online career sites.

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

Initially, I turned off music radio and locked into DC's All-News WTOP, which I continue to listen to. I slowly began to gravitate toward Entercom's online streams, especially WOLX/Madison and WKQK/Memphis, WCBS-FM's stream, 94-7 FRESH-FM and Sirius-XM via Dish Network (especially the Decades channels, which feature the talents of friends like Brian Carter (50s), Dave Hoeffel (50s), Phlash Phelps (60s) and Mike Kelly (60s), Soul Town, The Loft, The Blend, Siriusly Sinatra and -- until recently -- The Strobe. I also own a ridiculous collection of CDs and an iPOD as fallbacks.

9) What do you miss most about radio? The least?

The Most: Aside from the security of a steady paycheck and benefits, the main benefits I dearly miss after having been downsized after a 35-year daily "live" radio run are being spontaneously creative, the energy and urgency of being in the thick of it all and being able to nurture a unique emotional connection with an audience. The Least: The unnecessary politics and egos that permeate every profession known to humankind. I've cultivated greater patience and a thicker skin in recent years.

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

Considering the ongoing uncertainties that haunt broadcast radio and the current economy, I'd sincerely advise anyone considering this vocation to do some serious research. It's okay to pursue your dreams providing you're willing to be realistic. Stay on top of the ever-changing state of the art. Ask questions, be a sponge willing to soak up everything you can and have a career fall-back plan ready just in case.

My favorite new diversion is...

Social media. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn et al, the world has become a much smaller, yet more intriguing place. I've been able to network with longtime and newfound professionals, make friends, find long-lost friends and stay connected. Part of me has no desire to live forever. However, the other part would love to stick around forever to see what's next.