The Industry

     As I have been saying for a couple days, this blog is getting pretty big, how do I know this? Well when one of the Program Directors for one of the top stations in Vancouver contacts you… yup, you have something going for you! Steve Parsons sent me an email the other day and he had a lot of awesome things to say. So I’m going to stop typing and let Steve take it away!

Hey Mitch; 

I read Ed’s comments and felt compelled to write for no other reason but to show that no matter where you end up in this business, the story is more or less the same.  If you’re able to stomach the first few years, you’re in.  One of your blogs mentioned a couple of things that are so true about radio: 

• success comes as a result of who you get to know and
• the network of broadcasters across Canada in all markets is very small 

Like you, I graduated from BCIT (1991).  While attending BCIT I picked up an op’ing job at CKNW and what was at the time, the Western Informantion Network (WIN).  John Ashbridge hired me.  That name is critical here.  Ash hired me to op, he likely was the guy who put the good word in for me to be hired by James Richardson (ex-CKNW) in Trail, B.C. for my first shot.  I did production, I did music, I did Trading Post, I did Soapbox Derby remotes, I did remote cutins from Home Goods Furniture Warehouse ‘halfway between Trail and Castlegar in China Creek’.  That job was my life. Eighteen months later, Ash rescued me from the West Kootenay and brought me back to WIN where I jocked a terrible 2 hour show for the network that bridged The World Tonight and Sportstalk. I was in.  I was in one of the most storied broadcast facilities in Canada working full time.  From there I ended up doing all nights on CKNW, a ton of weekend shifts from the Crystal Palace and for god sake I did the Frosty Forst Show the morning of Game 7 in the 94 playoffs. Life was good.  Ash was also the first guy to fire me.  That was not a great day, but in this business its almost a right of passage.  WIthout that, I would not be where I am today…doing what I always wanted to do.  That fateful day put me on the path I actually wanted to go down.  That path included stops in Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto and now back in Vancouver.  Not once did I move for the money…it was always about the opportunity. Radio is a lifestyle.  The sooner you realize that, the better.  It’s not about the money or the fame.  It’s about loving what you do.  We all have to remind ourselves of that every once in a while but the opportunities afforded to us in this business are like no other.  Your willingness to openly accept the fact that you’re going to be paying some dues is 90 percent of the battle.  Put your head down and seek that first opportunity.  

Steve Parsons
PD Rock 101

Radio is a lifestyle. It’s been said twice in a week and I think it is the best way to describe the industry. Steve is right. If you have an idea that fame and fortune is going to fall into your hand because you talk on the air, you have another thing coming. Now that’s not to say it’s not possible because it is. But it is far from the majority. Me for example, I’m in the business because I love radio. Music, technology, production, promotions… every time I step into a studio it’s hard to believe that you can get paid for “playing” on computers. That would be my key advice. If you go to a station and get the feeling that “what? This isn’t work this looks awesome!” then you are in the right mindset. I’m still looking for the station to call home myself… like I said in yesterdays post, I need to break in my new interview clothes! Haha
Thanks Steve for your contribution and feel free to leave a comment on this post or some of the others with your opinions or thoughts!

-Mitch