As I have said on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, I am SO grateful for the last four-and-a-half years you’ve listened to my show on (the now-former) 104.3 K-Hits! Sadly, that era has come to an end.
Hey, I’ve been doing this radio thing since 1990. November 23rd to be exact. So, I’m about to celebrate 27 years behind the microphone! The reality is losing my job to a format change has become “old hat.”
Listeners and friends have been extremely kind to reach out and ask if I’m OK. The answer is “YES!” These things don’t bring me down. In fact, it’s the nature of this business I chose. You know the old saying: “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” I know how this game plays out! With very few exceptions in my career, the experience has been worth the end result – whatever that may have been.
Nearly 15 years ago, I was in a similar predicament when the company that owned Energy 92-7 & 5 folded. I wanted desperately to stay on the radio here in Chicago. So, I stuck around. Eventually, the severance ran out. Then, the unemployment ran out. Finally, my savings and patience ran out. I had to find work elsewhere. That’s when I took a job doing mornings in Indianapolis.
I told myself it was only temporary…until something opened up in Chicago. I would only be three hours down the road and could just come back home. While the job DID turn out to be “temporary” (it lasted only one year), my next stop wasn’t Chicago. Nor was the next one…nor the following one…nor another four for that matter! It took TEN years for me to find the right opportunity in my favorite city on Earth. That, of course, was at 104.3 K-Hits.
I will NOT repeat this a second time! I have zero intention of leaving Chicago again. The key difference this time is that I’m 100% willing to walk away from radio. If no opportunities present themselves here in a timely manner, I’m “hanging up the headphones” as they say. I’ve finally reached the point where quality of life trumps passion. I love this city so much, I’ll sacrifice a nearly 30 year career to stay.
This decision was not made hastily. I’ve had to pack my things, move to a new city, and basically uproot my life TWELVE times! While that was fun as a teenager in the early ’90s, the whole experience lost its luster many years ago. There won’t be a 13th time.
Sooooooo, you will either hear me on the radio soon…or find me packing boxes at Amazon! If it’s the latter, please subscribe to Amazon Prime. See? I’m already on the job! A.B.C. Always. Be. Closing.
Very classy. But don’t pack up the headphones so quickly. God has plans for you, my friend, whether or not they are clear. You’ve touched too many lives to do anything else. Keeping my preset open.
Absolutely, Valerie! I’m in a fortunate situation where I don’t have to go back to work tomorrow. I have a little time to explore for the next opportunity. I certainly hope it’s back on the radio. Thanks for reaching out 🙂
Loved this. Keep the faith! We’ll miss you. And for the love of God, please do NOT go to Amazon. No matter what you hear, it is NOT a good company to work for.
But I can be delivered to your home within hours!
As long as it was you I was ordering. Ha, but as far as Amazon, they can keep their dumb job. My husband almost had to go on disability because of the demands on their bodies there – walking 10+ miles a day, etc. Plus he got let go for a stupid reason and we were denied unemployment. They can keep their job because they don’t care about their people. You are WAY better than them.
Come to the UK Jeffro. British radio needs a kick up the fanny and I’m sure you’d be able to deliver it!
You’re too kind! Thanks so much, Dave!