Being a DJ

[jeffco]

To me this seem slike the least challenging job in radio.

I mean a morning show or a Stern type of a show is not exactly the same as being a DJ in the mid day spot or in overnights.

You don't get to select the music you want to play, you don't get to converse with callers like a talk host, you run contests that were someone elses ideas.

It seems like you talk only when it is okay and for no longer than 10-15 seconds at a clip.

Sensing all this I have no idea why anyone would want to be a standard DJ guy or gal?

[SP1]

It seems like you talk only when it is okay and for no
> longer than 10-15 seconds at a clip.
>

Too bad SSshirley and his co-hort dont follow these standards it would make for a better show.

______________
I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day

[radioelizabeth]

jeffco wrote:
"...Sensing all this I have no idea why anyone would want to be a standard DJ guy or gal?"

Gosh, I hope the goal isn't just to be a standard jock.

You can do a lot to connect with your listener in 10-15 seconds. It just takes more work to tighten the break and not waste the words.

Which I think takes more effort than talking trash to get attention...like some of the others you mentioned.

just my 2 cents though.


e

______________
RADIOELIZABETH
Pleasant, Passionate, Persuasive
www.radioelizabeth.com

[FMDawg]

> You can do a lot to connect with your listener in 10-15
> seconds. It just takes more work to tighten the break and
> not waste the words.
>
> Which I think takes more effort than talking trash to get
> attention...like some of the others you mentioned.

Absolutely. To actually plan ahead and give real thought to what you're going to say, rather than just open the mike and sputter around for a minute or two, requires alot of discipline.  One of my former PD's said "If it can't be said in 15 seconds it probably doesn't need said."

And, you don't just get handed a morning show.  There are alot of skills that have to be honed before that.

Yes, as a mid day person  you'll be a bit more constrained by the format, but having the ability to adapt and do an awesome show within the limits you're given, is what separates the wanna be's from the will be's.

[MrBlutarsky]

> To me this seem slike the least challenging job in radio.
>
> I mean a morning show or a Stern type of a show is not
> exactly the same as being a DJ in the mid day spot or in
> overnights.
>
> You don't get to select the music you want to play, you
> don't get to converse with callers like a talk host, you run
> contests that were someone elses ideas.
>
> It seems like you talk only when it is okay and for no
> longer than 10-15 seconds at a clip.
>
> Sensing all this I have no idea why anyone would want to be
> a standard DJ guy or gal?
>

where else can you make $50,000 to $100,000 to play music, read the paper,
meet cool rock stars, have a cool "in" with chicks/guys in public, get paid
$100 to $250 an hour to do a "remote", and basically have one of the most cool jobs of anyone you meet?  I've been at parties with lawyers, engineers, and presidents of companies.  They all end up asking about radio.  Nobody wants to know more about how the engineer crunched the numbers to build a bridge or what case set a precedent for the attorney.

I'd say if you get paid to do a job in radio, you've got it made.

[craig_ashwood]

I had a bit of experience doing middays in Atlanta for awhile and agree: one of the things a non-morning show forces you to learn is word economy.  Using fewer words actually forces the listener to subconsciously "fill in the blanks" using their own thoughts and experiences to flesh out the picture you're painting.  Because of that synergy (and not to sound too mystical and weird about it), the result can often be you receiving more credit than you'd think for being a personality performer on the radio.  It's because the listener is "working with you" to make the break come alive.

Best ever at this is Paul Harvey.  

Best I ever worked with at this was: Jim Morrison, J.J. Jackson, Russ Davis.

[OgOgglby]

Who makes over $50k to do middays in Atlanta, unless you've been there for 10 years?  If you voicetrack, you might make enough to buy a dining room from IKEA.


> where else can you make $50,000 to $100,000 to play music,

[jjjjr]

> I had a bit of experience doing middays in Atlanta for
> awhile and agree: one of the things a non-morning show
> forces you to learn is word economy.  Using fewer words
> actually forces the listener to subconsciously "fill in the
> blanks" using their own thoughts and experiences to flesh
> out the picture you're painting.  Because of that synergy
> (and not to sound too mystical and weird about it), the
> result can often be you receiving more credit than you'd
> think for being a personality performer on the radio.  It's
> because the listener is "working with you" to make the break
> come alive.
>
> Best ever at this is Paul Harvey.  
>
> Best I ever worked with at this was: Jim Morrison, J.J.
> Jackson, Russ Davis.
>

Aren't all those guys DEAD?

I thought YOU were dead.

Thanks for the props, sweetheart.

JJ

[neutral_observer]

> > You can do a lot to connect with your listener in 10-15
> > seconds. It just takes more work to tighten the break and
> > not waste the words.
> >
>
> Absolutely. To actually plan ahead and give real thought to
> what you're going to say, rather than just open the mike and
> sputter around for a minute or two, requires alot of
> discipline...
> Yes, as a mid day person  you'll be a bit more constrained
> by the format, but having the ability to adapt and do an
> awesome show within the limits you're given, is what
> separates the wanna be's from the will be's.


...And a funny thing will happen: if you're consistently executing all the basics of the format flawlessly and adding that little extra that truly connects to and adds value to the life and/or listening experience of the listener without adding a whole bunch of time, no one gets terribly concerned if you wind up going 20 or 25...