I want to become a radio deejay but I would like to play songs I like...?

Question

I've been wanting to deejay and do radio every since I was about 10 or 11 years old (I'm 24 now). I listen to the radio and it seems as though they play the same old songs over and over again. I understand that the program directors are in charge and they have a list of songs for the deejays to play....but to be honest, I don't consider this "deejaying". It's not original.

When I say "playing songs I like", I mean like playing a certain genre for that certain radio station. For instance, if I was working at a station that only played classic soul R&B from 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s...Of course I would play singles. Songs that folks hear on the radio, songs that people are familiar with and songs that they love. But I would also want to look around and dig for songs that people has never heard of, discovering underrated artists, playing rare grooves, and songs that could've or should've been singles.

I only know one deejay that plays what he wants and he's great.

But the station he works for is a public radio station...but I still don't know for sure whether or not they would allow me to do that.

My question to you all is...do you have to be an experienced deejay first (at clubs and formatted radio stations) before you get to play whatever you like on the air? I see this as an outlet because this is something that I really want to do.

Answer 1

start your own station, that's the only way, that you'll be able to play ONLY songs that you like!!!!  

Answer 2

Good for you. What you want is not out of the question. But "yes" you'd have to get a few years under your belt and demonstrate that you are a competent jock and know your music before a PD will take a chance on letting you contribute to the playlist.

The other option is to try for a 1-3 hour syndicated show that is set to air only on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings. Many Jocks augment their income this way. They'll line up a few stations in their region and sell their own commercials, then buy the time from the station - if they can't get the station to hire them. You'd be surprised how cheap you might be able to buy Saturday night or Sunday morning from an AM station. Same thing though with regard to the experience necessary.

At 24, most of the advice in the essay I've written and usually insert at this point wouldn't apply to you. Try to get on overnights/weekends/vacation shifts at a small station near you. Tell them you'll work for next to nothing just for the experience.

You may have to sweep the floors for a few months (while fooling around in the production studio practicing and bugging the PD to listen and critique), but sooner or later someone will leave and that gives you an opening.

-a guy named duh

Answer 3

Become a program director first, but remember that the songs that are played, are played b/c of the advertisers, and the station's # 1 goal is not to impress the listeners but to make money.

Answer 4

People have been forthcoming and it's good.

However here are some disappointing real facts from people I know in the business.

The program director usually sets a playlist on what he sees nationally in trends as well as from listener feedback on what they want to hear on most commercial stations. The bigger the city the more liable the person is to be a talking head.

You will find a PD/MD who will allow some freedom in the playlist occasionally but the ones I've knows had years of experience, a better record collection than the station, and a proven track record of people listening.

Public radio is usually where shows such as yours winds up, or I have seen smaller town (meaning the station only reaching say 20,000 people) who do take chances espcially if you help in paying the bills (Buying your time) but I've met a few willing to allow anyone on and give them a chance with the community.

Previous experience I've found is dependant upon the station with the local and public stations actually looking for people on the air, whereas a big market station won't talk to you without a few stations under your belt usually.

I know PDs and MDs in the business, who program internet stations to program stations the way they want them to play...  and in my opinion, to get the chops, and a loyal listener base that you can approach a local PD/MD with, the internet or a small town/and or public radio station may be your first choice.

But as some said.. the best thing to do is just to ask those type stations I've talked about above and see if they would be willing to bite.

Answer 5

you're going to find it tough going.

typically stations know what their intended audience wants to hear.

now i like some classical.

however, if you want to impose your tastes on what they play, i'm sure i can find another station to listen to.

and the station that you'd like to pay you, to play music that you, not me, would like to hear, is going to be somewhat less than pleased when i no longer listen to them.

you might add to that that when i visited the local pbs tv station, a friend who worked there said they'd laid off several workers, and he, with 19 years, had the least seniority of anyone left in his group.

yeah, you are going to have a hard time.

however, there's good news.

i think there are internet stations.

you can play whatever you want.

somehow i doubt i'll be tuning in though.

as far as getting paid, lots of folks would like to get paid to do what they'd like to do.

it's fairly rare that companies find that a particularly attractive offer, and then only when the individual in question has some very rare talent, or ability, that they just cannot find in the general public.

being a deejay doesn't qualify.

Answer 6

Well look at people on public radio such as Steve wright, whether you like the music that he plays or not(or whether you like him or not), you have to look at how popular he is and how he got there. look at Steve's biography on the BBC website and you'll see that not every dj started off in jobs that were to do with their dream. sometimes it takes building up your CV before even getting near a job such as being a dj in a club. so build your CV and then see if you can make it in to the music business. However, be careful it is a business that many think will be ideal for them but is quite the opposite. It is unstable and you cannot guarantee that you will have a steady income and/or job. But good luck, try hard and make the best of your experiences along the way.

Hope i helped.:-)