Having just spent the last two years penning this manuscript, I sat back today and reflected on my journey so far in Radio and what it all has meant and what it still means.
First and foremost, I have to tell you: I still like going to work everyday because it isn’t work, at least not in the traditional sense. More often than not, it’s fun. Yes, there is a lot of pressure to perform consistently but even so, I laugh most of my mornings away because my on-air partner and I have a great time.
Of course, the downside of Radio is how competitive and cutthroat it is. It’s not an easy business to survive in. You’re only as good as your last ratings.
One of the toughest parts about being in Radio is when you have a cold or sore throat or you’re horse or you have the flu. You can’t imagine how difficult it is to work past all that and still perform. Any of those maladies are magnified much more when you have to use your voice or throat for 4 hours.
It can be grueling not only because of the discomfort but also because you don’t sound the same in your head and battling a weak voice is exasperating. Being sick just rattles you. Yet, when you’re on the radio you are expected to be there because it’s show businesses.
You get past it.
I’ve been doing morning shows for about 20 years and although the pay is good, you know what I miss sometimes? Just jocking. Just being able to get on the air and play the hits, play the jingles, take requests, and just have fun talking between the songs.
I miss the simplicity of just being a deejay. That’s why I got in the business to begin with.
Yesterday was the first day of summer and it reminded me of the time I spent on the air in Chicago. I worked at a now defunct Oldies station, WFYR-FM and I must admit: the most fun I ever had was just deejaying there.
The station's studios were located high up in the Prudential Building and they overlooked a portion of downtown. Nothing will ever surpass the euphoria it gave me to spin tunes during warm summer nights watching the sun set over Lake Shore Drive.
There’s something about cruising down a highway on a warm summer evening with the radio turned up that is absolutely - invigorating.
Nothing makes you feel more alive - no matter what side of the radio you’re on.
