July 6th
I’ve thought a lot about writing what is on my mind on July
6th. Just an ordinary day to most people but to me, it’s the day my
world crumbled. I know that sounds kind
of dramatic, but to me, it was something that changed who I was and made me
open my eyes to a picture that isn’t very pretty.
I used to work in radio.
I used to work in radio.
Those words still are difficult to say. It’s kind of like trying
to swallow a pill without water.
It was a dream come
true for me. I knew from the time I was 6 years old - I just knew - radio was for me. I went to
school, knowing what I wanted but- at that time, although a degree was a plus,
what I needed was a license. I got my radio license. That was so long ago.
Now
you don’t need a radio license.
It took a while to get THE job.
Times were different, I knew what I wanted and I didn’t want
to settle. I listened to one station, KEZ 99.9 and that is where I wanted to work. It was
a pretty popular station and the hosts of the morning show were the brand of
station. It was a fun time. I got to meet so many celebs, I got travel some,
and endorse products, to say it was so much fun would be an understatement. You
hear people say find a job doing something you love and you’ll never have to
work. THAT was this job to me.
I put in my application and I called the program director
all the time. I think I probably called him every week. He was a nice guy and
after an extended period of time , I got the call. I was so happy. Although it
was part time, it was my foot in the door. YES!! I will never forget Dave
Windsor, as he was the one that gave me
a chance. I got to work the morning show, initially as a call screener then I
worked myself up to producer. Working at this “little nickel and dime” radio
show – as Bill Austin, co host of the morning show used to say has taught me
much. I got to work with the best in the
business. Best program directors, general managers, sales peeps, marketing
peeps and some of the best production and programming people around. For that I
am thankful. I got to work with Ron Gerson, Marty Manning, Perry Damone, Nancy
Sherwood, Arlene Terry. Big names, huge talent, and nice, nice people. The
people in production were awesome too.
I miss that. I miss who I was, or who I thought I was.
I
miss radio.
I know it’s the nature of the biz, but it still hurts.
People in radio actually joke about how many times they’ve lost their job. They
move to another state, a different market and start over.
It was about a year
after Bill passed away. He used to say
he was my buffer.
He was. I loved him and I miss him. He would tease me and embarrass
me because he’d remember things I would tell him when he could get away with
being a smart ass. He excelled at that -
It was part of his charm. I miss him so much.
I have never, ever
been let go from a job, until this day. After nearly 20 years working at the
best station in town - - -
July 6, 2011, I lost the best job.
The official reason was
the elimination of my position, but didn’t appear to be the case. And because I
signed legal papers, I can’t elaborate.
I will say, it still is a soft spot for me. Nine years later.
I can’t go too deep into what happened, as it serves no
purpose, I will say that there are two sides to every story. And for what
happened to me, and for what some believe to be the truth are two separate
things. I am still hurt by this, 9 years
later. People you think are your friends, aren’t. They hear rumors
then show different
colors. That hurts when people you thought were friends turn out not to really
care at all.
So, July 6th – not a favorite day for me.
My problem is I feel too deeply.
I don’t work in the media, but I am okay.
It’s taken me nine years to get this off my chest.
Maybe now
I can move on.
