-
10 Questions with ... Janita "JJ" Jones
October 30, 2012
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started off at KXJM in Portland, OR as an intern, then moved up to Promotions. While attending college at the University of Nevada on a track scholarship, I worked for KWYL (Wild 102.9) as APD, MD, and midday host. I transitioned to a new station in Philadelphia as the first midday host for WRDW (Wired 96.5), scaled down to part-time after the birth of my daughter, and freelanced for local NBC, CBS, in Philadelphia and worked part-time on air with WPHI 100.3 The Beat. Now you can hear me Monday through Friday as a host on The Morning House party for KDUK.
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
I worked for KXJM (Jammin 95.5)/Portland as an intern. I won a prize on the station from Alexa (Gawlista) and when I came to pick it up she asked me if I would be interested in becoming an intern for her. It was a match made in heaven and here I am!
2) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
I love that this station is very low key and laid back. Having owners who are accessible is the best feeling! Now that I am a single parent, it also rocks working for a company that doesn't make you feel like an invalid if your child is sick, which requires you to use a sick day.
3) What are you doing social media-wise?
I am on Facebook www.facebook.com/janita3, Twitter @runjanitarun, and Instagram jsquared99. There are so many options out there for social media. It really shocks me when I meet someone who doesn't participate in any of it.
4) What is your favorite part of the job?
The listeners make this fun for me. I fell in love with radio as a listener and whenever I am doing a promotion or contest on air I try to step back and look at it from their point of view.
5) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I have been in radio for over 15 years.
6) If you could add one full-time position to your budget right now, what would it be?
A personal driver! I commute to work every day 95 miles each way. I love it, which is why I do it, but every now and again it would be nice to take a little break.
7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
I loved to listen to Z100 in Portland. I would go to sleep and wake up to that station every day. I also was known for making killer mixtapes from the radio! I had programming skills from an early age.
8) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I love working out and doing anything with fitness, snowboarding, hiking, running. I am also a certified Zumba instructor.
9) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
My five-year-old daughter has control of the music when I am not working. Right now we are listening to Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen and Michael Jackson.
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I am NOT a gimmick, act or a character! I am the same person on the air that I am off the air. It really makes me feel good when listeners come up to me outside of the station and tell me how much they appreciate my "realness."
Bonus Questions
What was your last non-industry job?
I was a community spokesperson and Ball Girl for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. That was also the year they won the World Series, which I of course attribute to me. Being in the World Series Parade was an incredible experience.
-
-