This is a record of the ups and the downs; the struggles and the achievements; the laughter and the frustration and what it takes to break into The Industry...the radio industry that is.
The following post is a continuation from yesterdays article from Todd Palmer, the Promotions Coordinator for Ocean 98.5 and 103.1 JACK FM in Victoria. He has one of the most creative brains out there, so if you haven’t already, make sure to read the first half of his write up which includes a not-so-funny-then-but-funny-now story about an inflatable pig. Click Here to Read Part One.
Holy Aunt Josephine! It has been quite a break without some blog posts, however I am back and with a bunch of great stuff for you. One thing that hasn’t been shared for awhile is advice from industry professionals, so let’s start there.
I like to think of myself as a pretty intelligent person. Now, every now and then a good idea just hits me. This one came about like this: “Hmm, how can I get more contributions to the blog?… If only I was surrounded by a vast amount of radio professionals every day… if only”. Light bulb. Yup, it took a while but I finally figured out I should talk to the very same people who work in my building! First up, Michael Forbes, morning show co-host at 98.5 The Ocean.
I have always wanted to get a broader look at the business here on the blog. However, I have focused a lot on on-air talent. Luckily, again through the magic of twitter, I connected with Matt Van Essen. How did it come about? Basically, Matt worked with Ceara K, who contributed to the blog not to long ago, and so I thought it would be cool to follow the naturally forming web and see if Matt wanted to get on board… and he did! The best part is that he is a producer, a completely different side from what we’ve had in the past.
Well, ask and you shall receive! After posting Ceara K’s story on the weekend where she mentioned her friend/ex co-host Jonny Staub I sent out a little tweet to let him know that he was practically famous online (not that he isn’t well known already). He responded and said he would write up his story. How about that? Two contributions in one week, been awhile since that has happened! So, how did Jonny go from aspiring broadcaster to a household name on THE top 40 station in Vancouver? Let’s find out (wow that was cheesy… but I’m keeping it!).
As we all know this blog started with me chronicling my journey in and through the radio industry. However, if you flip through some of the previous advice here, I’m clearly in the “paying my dues” phase… which doesn’t make for great reading. But what I always like to read/share are other peoples stories on how they got to where they are and I got another one for you… Ceara K from 107.3 Kool FM.
Teacher, Guide, Go-To Guru and Counsellor are all names for that person in your life that shares a similar passion as you and which you can turn to in times of uncertainty to help steer you on your career path. Of course, you can add parents, siblings and friends to the list as well, but they are not entrenched in the same field and so, although they are just as important (if not more so in most areas of life), they can only provide advice based on their unrelated experiences. I’m talking about that person you can go to that lives, eats and breathes your same interests… a Mentor.
SUMMER! It has arrived. Technically it arrived back in June, but my rule is that before we can claim it is Summer, the sun has to be out for at least 5 days straight and guess what?! IT’S SUMMER! Break out the popsicles, shorts and sandals and of course awkward sun burns and tan lines!
Today I went for a journey in this beautiful weather to hopefully buy some last minute tickets for an amazing concert here in Victoria (Jeremy Fisher, Said the Whale, Hannah Georgas and Aidan Knight!) and luckily they weren’t sold out… So I will try and take some video or get some pictures for the extra tomorrow, so keep your eye open for that. With all that aside, my BCIT roomie did her homework that I dished out yesterday and she submitted her story!
Roller coaster of a day. Up and down and over here and over there. This job hunting thing is getting to me. HOWEVER, although I’m slightly discouraged right now, I am far from giving up. It’s that weird feeling I’ve described in the past. In this business you can have a great looking resume and cover letter, but it all comes down to talent for the majority of the jobs and that is when you get the “Ego-Crusher”… which sounds like a monster truck you would see on SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY. So today when I received an email from Amanda Niblett about her journey she gave me hope and I thought now is the perfect time to share it with you!
Copyright Mitch Hawes 2010
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