Why Do I Work In Radio In Bismarck/Mandan? 22 Reasons…

I've been asked that many times in my 4 years living here in Bismarck

I have been fortunate enough to have worked in radio since the early 90s. I'm from San Diego, California,  where I started, as an intern for a morning show. My dad saw a small ad on the very back page of our newspaper, and the next thing I knew I was sitting in a tiny classroom ( in the back of a tanning salon, I kid you not ) - I was the only student at American Dream Broadcasting School during the day.

Well to no surprise that school didn't last long...

...but I'm grateful for it. Years later, in March of 2014, I moved to Fargo, North Dakota. to work at a Country music station in Casselton. Then a year later I found myself in Minot -  doing mornings, by myself, at an active rock station. That lasted just over 4 years until one day I was let go, along with about 1,000 other people nationwide.

Welcome to Bismarck  

I was so lucky, and grateful to be in the right place at the right time. I was offered an opportunity to apply for a job at our Bismarck Townsquare Media Radio station - on the strip In Mandan. My first day was February 18th, 2020, and I've been here ever since. Has the job of being in radio changed? YES. Social media is an enormous part of what we do. Talking on the radio, for me, hasn't been much different. I don't have a typical DEEP voice or one people would recognize if they heard it if you bumped into me somewhere.

Days, weeks, months, years go by

With that reality, you hope to build some kind of comfort with those who listen to you, my personality, and the way I am when I am representing our company out at remotes, with clients, and listeners. There are many reasons WHY I still love working in radio, but the main one that stands out is my second year in a row of visiting a local elementary school in Bismarck.

Silver Ranch Elementary School - National Reading Month

This was last week -  103.3 US's Rockin' Rick, Andi Ahne from HOT 975, and myself - Bromo from 96.5 The Walleye each were given a 4th-grade class to read a book to. For the second year in a row, I was given hand-written, hand ART, and hand THANK YOU notes from every student in Miss Phillip's class. EVERY note had personality. EVERY note showed such respect, genuine charm, and 22 HEARTS OF GOLD. Talk about one of the coolest gifts I've ever received and will never forget - this was it - for the second year in a row!

My goal is simple...

I try and make people laugh, and feel good about themselves - these 4th graders ALL did that and more with their thank-you notes. I hope these kids know what a huge impact they made on me...AND this is WHY I work in Radio here in Bismarck/Mandan.