2 of 3

Write now Article Tools

First, don't call me a DJ.

I'm an on air radio personality. I realize that they may seem interchangeable to some, but the words are not synonyms.

A DJ is someone who plays records or Cd's. A radio personality is someone who communicates, informs and perhaps most importantly entertains.

The notion that a radio person is there to play music is huge misconception, especially in today's world of commercial radio where every play-list is finely honed by program directors targeting very specific audiences.

Those, on air, have very little if any leeway to deviate from decisions sent forth from the hallowed halls of programming.

With today's technology there isn't even a need for a warm body to show up. Just let the computer run things.

That tends to be the prevailing attitude of some broadcasters. But they usually find that the average radio listener does genuinely want to hear news, information and entertaining repartee between their songs, whatever their format of choice.

That's where radio personalities raise their weary heads.

Rising at 3 in the morning to dig through the day's information, humorous stories and anecdotes. Then searching for the way to communicate in an engaging manner so that they, the individual personality can be heard through the clutter of media messages that we are all bombarded with on a daily basis.

This is the true challenge. In fact some days it seems an insurmountable task. But plod on we do. Trying to find the right combinations of words, phrases even vocal tone and inflection to genuinely touch some nerve within the potential listener.

Do we make a lot of money? No. Some do. Some even obscene amounts, but all the better for them. Most have worked hard to get to that pinnacle. Few have their success handed to them as with any profession.

So don't call us DJ's. We prefer radio personalities, communicators, interesting people, anything but DJ.

I'll leave the discussion of music played at weddings for drunken people to those who know it best. DJ's.

Learn more about this author, Michael Stone.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about DJs: Common misconceptions?
We want to hear your view. Write now!