First Day on the Job… a #TBT for World Radio Day!
Have you ever had a dream that was so powerful that you would stop at NOTHING to make sure it came true? That was me, listening to the radio growing up, marveling at how smoothly the DJs segued songs, knew EXACTLY how much time they had to talk before the singing started and STILL managed to be entertaining in the process.
After YEARS of “playing DJ” at home, I finally worked my way up to working at my college radio station at Rutgers and interned on the Magic Street Team the summer after my freshman year in 2009. I worked closely with Debbie Mazella, and she told me what I needed to do to “make it” and get on the air at Magic. And then, the day arrived – the day she told me that there was an opening for Saturday and Sunday mornings. Not only that, but she asked if I would be the one to take it. How could I say no??
Before you knew it, it was Saturday morning, July 17, 2010, and my first shift was from 7-10 a.m. I was still in college at Rutgers, so I woke up at 6, changed into the comfiest outfit I could find and drove to the station early to make sure I had an idea of what I was going to say. (I still remember stopping to get a blueberry coffee on the ride up Route 27!) I sat down, looked over the songs I was going to play, got the weather forecast ready, sipped the coffee nervously and counted down the minutes.
Before I knew it, it was 7:00, and it was time for my first song – “Crush” by Jennifer Paige! I still remember to this day that The Police, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” came after it, and then the first time I had to talk – right before Coldplay’s “Clocks!”
I still remember my foot tapping anxiously as I hit the “ON” button for the microphone and saw the “ON AIR” light glow in front of me. Finally – my “big break!” By some miracle, I didn’t stumble, my voice didn’t crack and I didn’t say anything outrageous. By the time I turned the mic off, the only thing I could focus on was my heart pounding and the smell of blueberry coffee! Whenever I get blueberry coffee, I’m automatically reminded of that moment.
By the time the shift was over, Joel Katz came in to do his Saturday midday shift and said, “Who are you, and who thought you were ready to be on the air???” And then, after a long pause, he said, “Just kidding. You did great!” (Ten years later, and I’m not sure if he was kidding…)
Fast forward ten years, and I’m still on Magic, even more glad to be spending MORE time with you on the air each weeknight – and those random times that I still get to fill in on the weekends!
Thank you for listening, for reaching out on social media and most importantly, for being a part of this Magic 98.3 radio family on World Radio Day and every day! We all couldn’t do what we’re most passionate about without YOU!
