10 Questions with ... Monique Jordan

1) Why did you choose radio?

I guess if radio didn't find me, I would have been a meteorologist. I love weather, it's interesting and can't be controlled. I watch the Weather Channel for hours.

2) When did you get started in the business?

In 1994 for my son's birthday, I decided to call the local radio station to wish my son a happy birthday. At the time, I was stationed there in the army at Fort Hood, Killeen, TX. The PD Mychal Maguire was on the air and he asked if I ever thought about doing radio, I said no. He asked me to come to the station so he could record my voice; I did. He liked it and told me I should think about doing radio. He had his night jock, Kenny Smoov, train me and I've been doing it ever since.

3) Do you think things have improved for woman in the industry?

It has become a lot more diverse than it once was. There was a time when radio had women only in middays. Now you find women in every department of stations and companies. These days there are CEOs, COOs VPs, OMs, PDs, Promotion Directors, and lead morning show anchors. I'm loving everything that is going on.

4) Is there any one thing that sticks with you about this business?

I originally expected a person to keep his or her word in this business. I learned quickly that wasn't true. If it's not in writing, don't hold your breath.

5) What people have influenced your career?

I was fortunate to work for a list of amazing people including James Alexander, Uncle Reggie Frazier, Al Irvin, Ken Johnson, Michael Tee (R.I.P), Terry Base and Phillip David March.

6) Has radio turned out the way you thought it would be for you?

ASa I said earlier, when I first got into radio, I really didn't know what to expect, though I did expect a person to keep his or her word. I learned quickly that wasn't true. If it's not in writing, don't hold your breath.

7) Where does your passion for radio come from?

I like making a difference in the lives of listeners. I always love meeting listeners who tells me I made them smile or laugh. To me, it's about making a connection with the audience. I try and visualize the listener when I talk on the air. If I can un-complicate someone's life for just a few moments, I know I've done my job.

8) What's your advice for those just getting into the business?

Learn production ... not just reading a script and putting music under it, but being able to sell whatever it is you're talking about in 30 or 60 seconds. Production is the most important element in a station. When working at WBLX/Mobile, AL, I was asked to teach a Broadcasting class at Springhill College for their Upward Bound program. My main focus was production. At the end of the summer, each student was proficient in Cool Edit Pro.

9) At one time didn't you leave the business for another profession?

Yes, back in 2000 I accepted a job, packed up, took my kids out of school, drove the U-Haul 10 hours to find out they changed their mind. It was a nightmare and I had nowhere to go. I ended up at my Mom's house, not ever wanting to do radio again. One day I turned on the radio and heard this voice that sounded a lot like mine. Each day I would tune in to hear this girl and finally called to talk to her; she really lifted my spirits and talked me into not giving up and trying again. I don't think I'd be back in radio today if it wasn't for Delyte when she was at WEUP/Huntsville.

10) Are there any funny incidents that you look back on and still laugh about?

When I was at a station in Jackson, MS, I kept using Kwasi Kwa's music beds. He asked me to stop but I didn't. One day I go to do a break, as I started talking I pressed his music bed, as I always did. Well, Kwasi decided to record over the music bed with him moaning; I was so embarrassed and all I could hear when I took my headphones off was everybody laughing. Everybody knew he recorded over the music bed but me.