1. Vocation: What Is Your Job Title/Position/Job Description?

INTERVIEW OF A DISC JOCKEY

1. Vocation: What is your job title/position/job description?

Disc Jockey

2. Do you belong to a union?

No, there are none.

3. Describe your physical work environment.

For four hours I’m in an office with cubicles and then for the other four hours I am in a soundproof room

4. Please describe a typical day (do you travel, hours you work, etc).

I wake up between 4:20-4:30am Monday-Friday. I walk to work unless it is raining or snowing (but then again, I only live a few blocks away). I plan out my show and go on-air at 6am and am then on air until 10am. I then get my production work done (making pre-recorded programs, station ID’s, etc.) and catch up on calls (with record company reps, local musicians, etc). I then go home around 2pm where I proceed to take a one to two hour nap. Afterwards I do things I need to get done around the house. Make dinner. Play with my cat.

5. How does you profession affect your ability to live a healthy lifestyle (exercise, sleep, nutrition)?

Well, I must admit that my diet isn’t the best. For breakfast it’s usually several cups of coffee and a breakfast bar. After my show is over I usually warm myself up some Ramen noodles (around 10am). Dinners are different, I tend to enjoy to cook (or eat out), they are “healthier”, however, I eat large portions.

I don’t really exercise much. I used to play on a local softball team in the summers, but I have a bad back. I definitely am overweight (which I blame on my job and appetite). But in all honesty, I don’t have time to exercise in the morning, I’m too tired to do it in the afternoon, and if I did it at night, I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep in time to wake up “refreshed” at 4am!

6. Are there over the counter medications, alternative medications that are typically used in your profession (wt loss, tobacco, steroids, etc.)

Some overnight and morning hosts rely on No-Doze and coffee. Also, a lot of us drink seeing as most of the shows we promote take place at clubs and bars. The DJ on speed is definitely more of a cliché these days. It really depends too on what type of station you are involved with. There are different pressures put on you depending on whether or not you work for a commercial or independent radio station. An independent station really focuses on the music and musical knowledge of the hosts . . . it actually is like a close-knit group of friends who appreciate music. Commercial stations are more focused on “radio personalities”, less about the music . . . it’s all a business and very cut-throat. The music they play is very cookie-cutter and formulaic. There is less room for self-expression in commercial radio.

7. What are things that your friends find interesting about your profession (like how often do you shoot your gun if you are a police officer)? What types of questions do you get asked by the public?

Often, people love the thought of playing music and getting paid for it. People also always want to know what famous musicians I’ve met along the way. They always want to know if I can get them free tickets to shows, free CD’s, etc. In general, I can get all that stuff for myself, but I can’t just go around getting it for everyone. It actually gets kind of annoying.

People also like to tell you how they think the station should run; what kind of music we should play. Sometimes they ask about what I’m listening to or enjoying which is always a better conversation for me.

Local bands are always trying to convince me to get them on the station, but there is a protocol to how that works. They are to send in a CD that they had produced and sell in local record stores. We do NOT accept demos or recordings their friend made at a live show. If they are selected to be placed in our on-air library, they are NOT to call and try to request it (or have their record label or friends call). Should the record do well and have legitimate listener support, then they may receive more play or invites to concerts hosted by the station.

(7a.) Canyougiveoneortwoexamplesofmusiciansthispersonhasmet?

Moby,DavidGray,DavidByrne,ToriAmos...thelistcanbequitelong

8. How did you get interested in your profession?

I was a Disc Jockey in college. I enjoyed it and lucked out with some connections I made during my time at the college station (both with the music industry and a radio station I interned with).

9. What do you like most about your profession?

I love music. To be a disc jockey and get paid for doing something I love, that’s the best. I get to meet interesting musicians/artists. I have a tight-knit social group at work (not that I have that much time to be social). In general, I get to make people happy.

10. What do you dislike most about your job?

It’s actually quite solitary. I mean, I sit in a room for four hours, and then sit in another room by myself to produce spots, or sit at my desk with headphones on listening to music. We are all passionate about music and have a small staff, so when disagreements happen, they tend to be very heated and often carry-on for several days (weeks even!). For instance, we used to have a DJ who was definitely a person you’d consider a hippie. Anything Grateful Dead or classic rock related, he wanted to play and support. He also came from a commercial radio station and wanted us to play more “popular” music. I’d try an introduce new artists and local bands to the staff during the music meetings (meetings once a week to determine what new music to play) and he’d always ignore or veto my choices for something by a former member of the Grateful Dead or a re-release of some classic 1972 album. It got to the point where we couldn’t be in the same room together. I moved my cubicle to the other side of the office even.

I am not a fan of my hours either. For me to wake up on time, I practically have no social experiences except for the weekends.

11. Educational background:

You don’t need to be “trained” in radio from a school, but experience is mandatory (often gained by college radio and/or internships). My major in college was CommunicationArts.

12. High school:

Yes

13. Vocational school or College:

14. Graduate school or special training:

15. How does one obtain a job in your profession?

Very often, interns find their way into staying at the station they work at, or through connections the station has with other similar radio stations.

16. What previous positions have you had since you started this profession?

I used to be part of a commercial-radio morning-show . . . there were four of us. It was a lot of fun, but so much more pressure.

(16a) Whatmadecommercialradiomorestressful?

Commercialradioismorecutthroat.Youhavetosellyouron-airpersona.Forthemorningshow,thecompetitionisveryserious.Ratingsmean$$...ifyourratingsslip,youloseyourmarketabilityandthereforecouldlose
yourjob.

Withpublicradio,it'smoreaboutyourrealpersona.Yourrealmusictastes (nothavingtosellanartistyoucan'tstand).Publicradiohasover60%ofitsbud-getmadefrommemberdonations.Thereforeit'smoreaboutthemusicandless aboutyou…moreaboutthemusicandlessaboutsellingad-time.

17. Can you get promoted? If so, to what position and how?

I’m basically at the highest level I can be. I don’t really have aspirations for any of the more managerial or business positions at the station . . . and to get one of those means to not be a full-time DJ (time won’t permit it).

18. What are the "perks" of your job?

Free stuff! (CD's,posters,shirts,jackets,hats,and concert tickets ...evenyo-yos) Listening to music for a living. Not too bad.

19. How do you get paid (contract, per mile, per hour, etc.) How can you make more money?

I get paid monthly. It’s enough to pay the bills, but I’ve picked up a bartending job on the weekends so that I can pick up some extra cash and have a little more social outlet.

20. What is the most stressful part of your job?

Campaign fundraising. I know it’s not supposed to be reflective of my performance, but when we fall short on my show, I can’t help but feel it is a reflection on me.

21. What emotional problems are common in people in your profession?

Seasonal disorders, especially the morning or afternoon hosts, are very common, especially during the fall and winter months. To get to work before sunrise and leave after sunset really messes with you.

Obesity is common, too. We sit around all day and really don’t have time to exercise or eat right. To be honest, depression occurs a lot, too. Sometimes the day-to-day monotony, sometimes it’s the senselessness of what we’re doing . . . I mean, c’mon, in the over all good, do-something-for-humanity, what are we really doing? We don’t even make the music; just play other people’s! Sometimes I just feel that I’m not doing anything that is worthwhile.

22. What type of physical activity is required in your position?

Button-pushing. Really. That’s it.

23. What things happen that really make you angry?

How catty everyone can be at times. The work environment is very much like high school. And we’re all really passionate, especially about music, so when we disagree, it can get pretty ugly. Feelings get hurt. And since there are so few of us on staff, paranoia sets in. It’s like, “who’s out to get me? Who’s on my side?” I also hate when callers call in to complain about the music. If you don’t like it, change the station. Just one obnoxious caller and my day can easily become ruined.

24. What other professions do you work with, and how do they affect your (make your job easier or harder)?

The music industry is our closest companion. Be it people from the record companies or the clubs, they are always trying to sell someone. When you are excited about their product, it’s easy and great (and once again, free stuff!). But when you don’t like the artist they’re selling, and their job depends on you adding the hot new pop star to your station’s library or rotation and you don’t like them . . .. They get pretty persistent and annoying.

25. What "health risk" behaviors are common in your profession? (Tobacco, alcohol, specific drugs, sex, stress, marital or family discord, etc.)

The common cold, strep throat . . . those are two of our greatest health risks. If you get sick, every DJ at the station stands to get sick. So taking care of yourself is really important. If you are out late drinking and try to come in for your morning or mid-day show, you’re going to be dragging all day. People listening don’t want to hear someone on air who can barely speak or who sounds as if they are ready to go to bed! Like I said earlier, obesity is a danger because of how stationary we are. Poor sleep habits also don’t help when it comes to seasonal disorders or depression.

26. How does your vocation affect the personal life of you or people you know?

I’m from the Midwest so I had to leave my family for this job. I see them twice a year if I’m lucky because this is the type of job you can’t really afford to take vacations from. Especially with my schedule, it’s nearly impossible for me to hold down a relationship (romantically). My hours, my lifestyle . . . they’re a hard sell. But I do form a lot of solid friendships.

27. What activities and/or hobbies do people in your profession like to do?

Get out on the weekends. Anywhere outdoors. Hiking, the park, a walk . . . it’s just nice to get outside and enjoy the day. So much of our time is spent indoors. There are a lot of people who also like to get involved in charity organizations their stations assist. It’s good to feel that you are making a difference by helping people in need .

28. Are there any items of clothing, or props that someone portraying a person in your profession would use consistently? (Hats, keys, stuff you’d keep in your pockets (or bags), day planners, work boots, particular “costume”, or types of clothing…)

Music t-shirts? Comfortable clothes.

29. If a person in your position were to get fired, what would they most likely have done to justify the termination and what would the steps involve? Do lay offs happen in your occupation?

Well, it’s hard to get fired if you do what you’re supposed to do. However, when people part, it’s usually for the inability to compromise. I’ve seen people come and go. The one’s that have their act together and realize that there are opinions other than their own tend to stick around. However, the more cocky or aggressive you are, you tend to find yourself facing the resignation suggestion. If you are too aggressive, the record industry or club scene is more where you belong.

30. During all of these questions, listen for “jargon” used by the interviewee…words they use that are “lingo” specific to their profession. Ask them to define those words if it is not clear to you.

None

31. Story

As a DJ for a independent public radio station, we generally have music lovers and kind calls. But every now and then, an obnoxious caller phones up and can really put a damper on the day. For instance, there was this one caller who always calls in when I play anything close to Rap/R&B (not R&B in the traditional sense, more like club music today). Every time he calls he says that this isn't music and that we shouldn't be playing it (for example, Lauryn Hill). I tell him he's entitled to his opinion and I'll note his complaint in the log. But this one day he was being particularly offensive, calling it "nigger" music and that if I'm such a "nigger lover", I should find another station to work at. At this point he hangs up. Now, I'm not supposed to play more than one song per artist during my show, but I lost my cool. I followed up the Lauryn Hill with a song by The Roots, then the Black Eyed Peas, then a Bob Marley song that they put Lauryn Hill vocals into (like with Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable” with her dad). He kept calling and said he was going to call the station manager. I told him to and offered to transfer him over. He hung up. Now, I shouldn't have been confrontational or broke our station's format . . . but sometimes, you just have to make a stand.

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Interview of a Disc JockeyPage 1