10 Questions with ... The Joe Show

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I went from doing college radio at 18 to commercial radio at 20 for Midwest Communications, both in my hometown of Terre Haute, IN. I got my first nightly gig at 23 for WMGI 100.7 MixFM, stayed three years, and have now been in Augusta for a year.

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

It was full of learning experiences. I was awful at first, but my PD believed in me enough to give me the shot and it paid off because it made me want to get better. It was also in my hometown, so it was cool to go from listener to working there.

2) What led you to a career in radio?

I originally went to college because I wanted to be an anchor on Sportscenter. I found out my college station, WISU at Indiana State, was looking for DJs and after a year of doing that, I loved it so much I wanted to do it for life!

3) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

Actually, the APD hat is the biggest one so far, but I don't think I'm wearing many more hats than I was at my last station. I was on-air and became the MD before I left, so I don't think this one is anymore than that.

4) What are you doing social media-wise?

Constantly trying to get listeners involved. I run the HD983 Twitter account so I'm constantly tweeting from it about anything that would be talked about on-air and anything that might be fun for listeners to see. Social media is a part of life now, we tweet and Instagram everything we're doing. To get listeners to be involved with it is the ultimate goal. Live tweeting awards shows is another thing I love to do with it.

5) What is your favorite part of the job?

I get paid to be creative! I love that. Also, listener interaction. To get to be a part of someone's everyday life, whether they're driving to pick up their kids, working out in the gym, or whatever it may be. It feels good to build a rapport with people who call in and genuinely love what you do.

6) What is the most challenging part of the job?

It's a 24/7 thing now. There's something constantly happening and even when you have a "day off," you're mentally preparing for the next show or a bit or interacting on social media. The way media is consumed makes it a little more difficult than it was a few years ago.

7) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?

Prince. I LOVE "Purple Rain." It's one of my favorite albums ever and I listen to it once every couple of weeks.

8) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

I listened to the station I eventually worked for after college, 100.7 Mix FM in Terre Haute, IN. I used to listen to the 9p Countdown faithfully in high school, mainly so I could hear Eminem's "Lose Yourself" and learn all of the words, ha ha.

9) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

I have a few. I learned a lot from one of my best friends, Shy Holder, when he got in commercial radio when I was still in college. My college radio professor, Dave Sabaini, made me feel like this was something I could do in my life and supported everything I did. "Diva" Natalie Randall was the PD who gave me a chance and I learned a lot from her, so those three combined had the most influence on my career.

10) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

I get paid to have fun. I'll never take that for granted. Not only that, just the impact you have on someone's life. They could be having the worst day, but hear something funny you said or hear a song you played and it brightens their day.

What was your last non-industry job?

The very first job I ever worked: I made pizzas at Pizza Hut.