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Charese Fruge’ (@McMediaonline) Erin Austin
February 21, 2023
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Erin Austin is the co-host of “Ryan and Erin in the Morning” with Ryan Anderson on Audacy Hot AC WMC (FM 100)/Memphis. As part of her responsibilities, she’s in charge of podcasts for the show, “best of” shows while they are out, prepping different bits on the show, plus social media and anything else that needs to be done for the show.
She started her career in Portland, OR at KUPL and later moved to Eugene for a full-time position on air at KKNU. “Then I married a radio guy that moved us all over,” Austin explains. “There were stops in Omaha, Austin TX, and St. Louis. Then my career took me to Milwaukee and Houston where I worked for KILT-FM for 12 years. Now I’ve been in Memphis at FM100 since 2021.”
In addition to her responsibilities on the morning show, like many in the business, Erin has taken on a few side hustles. “I’ve started doing some voice tracking and hope to start doing more of that,” she says. “And during the pandemic, I started a podcast of my own called ‘Erin Austin’s Thursday Blog and Podcast.’ It’s been a bit of an outlet and cathartic for me. As of late I’ve been determining ways to improve it and if there’s a different angle to go at it.”
“I always knew I wanted to be in this business since I was a kid,” says Austin. “I was the kid calling up Z100 in Portland annoying all the DJ’s and winning all the prizes. I might’ve been the youngest prize pig on record. So, for me it was either Radio or Television and since I was a terrible student, I got into radio thanks to a community college program back in Oregon. Thanks to the program my internship at KUPL turned into my first job in radio.”
“I’ve had so many cool experiences over the course of my career,” explains Austin. “In St. Louis being able to host a Country music video/line dance show was so fun, in Milwaukee doing mornings as part of ‘Mathew Blades in the Morning, ’ we had Coach Mike McCarthy (now the Cowboys head coach) on with us every week where I’d always ask the weird non-sports questions. Of course, working for KILT-Fm in Houston for 12 years provided me with so many cool experiences and opportunities. From meeting every big artist in the business: George, Garth, Taylor…etc. and interviewing them…I’ve been lucky.”
“As far as biggest accomplishments go, that’s a hard question,” says Austin. “Many people have told me that they’re proud of me for still being in the business and doing well. So, I’ll take that as an accomplishment. However, I’d like to believe that my biggest accomplishment is not behind me, it’s still ahead of me.”
Austin’s success so far has not come without the usual challenges the radio industry brings about. “Honestly, when I lost my job during the pandemic due to the downsizing of the Country format within Audacy, that really put me in a tough spot both financially and psychologically,” she says. “I had never really ‘really’ been let go before and so to be the longest team member on the staff and liked by everyone in the building, it hurt. It was like a breakup, and you don’t know what you did wrong, even though you know you didn’t do anything wrong.”
“One of the things I struggled with over the years was what would I do when that day happened? Would I find a job? Would I have to get out of the business and what would I do? Will my age be a factor? Would my education be an issue? Finding a job in this business is hard enough but add the element of finding it during a pandemic, and it messes with your psyche. Luckily, it all worked out and hopefully more good things will come.”
Having experienced a fruitful career so far, Austin has great advice for Women who want to make it in the business. “I’ve always thought that learning as much as you can and being available to work and work hard should always be towards the top of your goals. You may not always have the level of talent as someone else, but I think a lot of those in hiring positions want someone with passion. If you have passion and are coachable, I believe you’ll have a better shot than the person that walks in with a ‘meh’ attitude or a huge ego.”
“For leadership roles, learn from the higher ups,” she says. “For a position that you want to have someday, go and learn from the person that has it. See if they’ll teach you and ask if you can help in any way. I know that I started off helping out with music, and that turned into a different role and that led to me being the person that hired our part-time on-air staff. It was little things I learned along the way. Also, I think that this is a perfect time to try and learn because PD’s and Brand Managers are spread so thin so I think many would be happy to have the help of someone eager to learn.”
As far as connecting with the younger generation, and the future of the radio industry, this is another tough one, not just for Austin, but for everyone. “If I really knew the answer to that one, I’d be a millionaire,” she says. “However, I think connection and personality is key to so many things. For years in radio, we got away from talent being actual talent. None of us got in the business because we idolized a liner card reader. We loved the personalities that stuck out, the talent that we identified with or that were entertaining. I think the same can be true for artists as well and brands. When an artist lets us in on their life and makes fans feel as if they’re a part of it, when you see that they have some of the same joys and same struggles…or give you inspiration to be and do more, you really connect. As humans we all want that connection and to feel like there are others like us and to make us feel a certain way. While Millennials and Gen Zers are stereotyped as flighty and have a ‘whatever’ attitude, at the end of the day, everyone wants a place where they belong.”
“As far as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as an industry, I think we’ve made some improvements in some of those areas, but there is always room for more,” says Austin. “However, when it comes to equal pay, or fair pay for all, it has not improved much in my opinion. When I started in this business years ago, and I mean it’s been a hot second, my starting wage was $10-12 an hour. And here we are 20 years later, and wages have not gone up for most of us at all. Also, a lot of the ways for people to make extra money or to be incentivized has dwindled. We need to work on that if you we want to attract a new generation of radio stars.”
As far as adjusting to yet a new city thanks to her career, Austin is taking and loving Memphis one day at a time. “I’ve learned that Memphis is a big, small town. Unlike Houston where people are from everywhere, Memphis is a lot of folks that are born and raised here…and everyone knows everyone! Which can be really interesting when it comes to dating! Good lord!”
“I feel as though Memphis is still a radio friendly town. Our show and station definitely try to be as local and relatable as possible. Personally, I like to go out and experience things around town and meet new people. When people find out what I do, what station I’m on and then they put 2 and 2 together that I’m Erin…I’m pleasantly surprised at how many people still listen and listen a lot. FM 100 is a legendary station and has been consistent over the years and I believe that helps create that loyalty.”
What keeps Erin up at night? “If I’m being frank, the real question is what DOESN’T keep me up at night?” She says. “I worry about ‘will I be able to pay my bills, how can I elevate myself to the next level and what does that look like for me? Is there something I need to be doing that I’m not? What is something that I can do as a side hustle that uses my talents so that I can make money and how long will it take to be successful? Oh…and finally, will I ALWAYS be single?’’’
As for finding balance, “My balance looks different from a lot of people my age,” says Austin. “I don’t have kids or a spouse, so my balance may seem slightly easier to some. Also, since morning radio is a lot about real life experiences and making that connection with the audience, it might be easier for me because I try to go and live life and find the things I like to talk about. However, my favorite way to escape life is to travel abroad and much of that I do solo. The solo part isn’t necessarily by choice, but I’m still in search of a travel partner.”
And while Erin continues to search for her perfect travel partner in life, she’s also working on her professional future. “At the moment, I plan on doing more with my podcast and making it more of a priority so I can cultivate it into something bigger. And as I mentioned before, I’m doing some voice tracking, so I’m hoping to land a few stations here in the future. (Hint Hint) Otherwise, I’ll be working on ways to make Erin a bigger and better Erin.”
Follow Erin Austin on Twitter and Instagram @erinaustin, iamerinaustin on Facebook, and on TikTok - @erinaustintx
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