Daily Inspiration: Meet Brooke Taylor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Taylor.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey in radio started in 2011, fresh out of college. I graduated and started working part time at a Urology office at the front desk and hated every second of it. My local radio station at the time in Gainesville, Florida posted a job for the night show host.. and while I didn’t have any experience other than my college radio station, I decided to walk in with my resume and introduce myself to the manager. Her name was Rebecca, and I remember telling her “I know I don’t have any ‘experience’ but I’m willing to learn whatever you’ll teach me.” A day later I got a phone call telling me I could be their overnight host from 12am – 6am while I learned the ropes. So, I did that.. making $11 an hour, living with my parents.

Next thing you know I was bumped up to the night show host and the rest is history. I worked in Gainesville for almost 2 years until an opportunity presented itself in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At first, I didn’t even entertain the idea but the man offering me the job said “what’s the worst thing that could happen? You come check it out and hate it? At least you get a free trip and see a new place out of it.” So.. I decided to take the job interview, they flew me to Fort Wayne and I ended up loving every person that worked there. Phil Becker, my future new boss.. offered me the job.. I went back home, put in my two weeks notice and packed up everything I owned in my car and left for the midwest. In Fort Wayne, I learned EVERYTHING I know about radio.. I hosted the midday show on a top 40 station.. but grew into being an assistant program director.. to doing promotions.. to hosting the afternoon show on our country station in the cluster.. to then being a program director. I learned so much.

One day my boss, Phil, called me into his office and told me to close the door. (I got scared, thinking oh no, I’m about to get fired.. because he never asked anyone to close the door.) I sat down at his desk and he proceeded to tell me that he’s taught me everything he possibly could about radio and that I was ‘too good’ to stay in this small market. He had just gotten a call about a job in Los Angeles working for Radio Disney.. and that he wanted me to fly out there and interview for the job. Having a boss that not only teaches you.. but champions you to be great.. man, it was a blessing. I flew to LA.. I got the job and it happened again.. I came back put in my two weeks.. then packed up my car with everything I owned and drove to the west coast. I remember being in LA feeling like something was missing..

I worked at RD for over 2 years and remember a specific trip I took to Nashville with RaeLynn on the Music in our Schools Tour.. it was a promotion we did with Disney where we got on a tour bus for 9 days and played shows at different schools, I hosted them. Our last stop was in Nashville at the Opry, That night I remember thinking to myself ‘I want to live here.’ Fast forward 5 years later.. here I am. Working my dream job for iHeartCountry on WSIX in music city. It’s been a lot of moving.. a lot of sacrifices.. but, it’s been one heck of a ride and I’m so grateful to where I am today.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s most definitely not been a smooth road. My entire family lives on the east coast. I have 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 4 nieces and 3 nephews.. and obviously my mom and dad. It’s really hard living away from family, especially now having a daughter of my own. The long distance will never get easier. That along with the struggle of ‘entry level’.. you leave college thinking you’re gonna make so much money right away.. but, I’m 10 years into the business and just now comfortable! I always tell people that radio will keep you humble.. I remember all to well.. living off ramen noodles and pop tarts. But, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I host the midday show (10am-3pm) at WSIX (the BIG 98) in Nashville. I’m also on several other iHeartCountry stations nationwide. I host the night show in Denver, CO on KWBL, the midday show in Columbus, OH on WCOL, I’m also heard on hundreds of iHeartCountry Stations on Sundays. That power of being able to do so many shows remotely from Music City is so awesome. I put my heart and soul into every single show as if I live in each city. I love being able to touch so many listeners, there’s no feeling like it! I’m known for my positivity.. I love encouraging people and making them smile when they listen to my show. I also love sharing my faith! I actually have a podcast called ‘Blessed With Brooke’ you can hear on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.. but I invite artists on to talk about their faith journey and it’s been so cool to hear stories from artists like Carly Pearce, Russell Dickerson, Jimmie Allen and more.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t give up. I know that sounds cliche, but it’s so true! Finding a career is hard in itself.. but actually sustaining one is even harder. I always put it like this.. so many people want to take the elevator to the top floor.. when in reality.. you have to take the stairs. It’s hard work, it’s difficult, you’ll get tired.. but not giving up and the will to keep going is what will set you apart from others.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookeradio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrookeRadio
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrookeRadio