Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Marie.
Hi Deanna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I hate to admit it but I actually never sought out a career in radio. Don’t get me wrong, I tape recorded myself acting like a radio jock in my parent’s living room when I was younger just like everyone else. But I always thought you needed a degree in Broadcasting to break into this biz and I was a Theatre major, what did I know about radio? Well, in 2018 I was living and working in Reno, Nevada. I worked for a non-profit organization and booked tv commercials and print work on the side. My agent shared a Facebook post from the local radio station about looking for a “guest host” for a day. Well, I threw my hat in the ring to have a fun story to tell at parties. The next thing I knew, the morning show host/Program Director was calling me and offering me a job! I never looked back. I’m so grateful that radio found me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If it was easy, that would be boring wouldn’t it? Of course, it all started with rainbows and sunshine. But the ongoing joke in our industry is “You don’t really work in radio until you’ve been fired.” Well, I wasn’t technically fired (yet), but my previous full time job ended with a lot of heartache. I had a thriving morning show in Wilmington, Delaware on a heritage station. We were gaining momentum, killing the ratings, making community connections and just loving every minute of it. Then, one day after being named the “Best of Delaware”, we found out our whole station was being sold off for pennies on the dollar and none of us would be retained. To say we were devastated is an understatement, but that’s showbiz! Luckily the local management team in the Philly market did what they could to keep me and my cohost on the air even if just part time. And we still podcast together to this day! (Deanna and Justin In The Moment- available wherever you get your podcasts!)
Then right when I need it, the opportunity to relocate to Nashville came up and I’m so grateful to be here. So, I guess you could say I’ve had my ups and downs!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Being a radio host isn’t about curating a playlist and giving away concert tickets. Surprisingly, the music we play isn’t even our responsibility! (A little behind the scenes info) It’s about being able to connect with each and every single listener on some level. It’s about being a good story teller. It’s about knowing how to be unapologetically your authentic self without rubbing anyone the wrong way.
I believe what sets me apart from my peers is my personal connection to music in general. I am a musician by trade. As a seasoned vocalist who has traveled with bands and performed at all different venues, I’ve learned how to adapt pretty quickly to my surroundings and connect with people from all over. I believe that my personal connection to the music and the people listening to that music makes me unique. I love knowing I made a difference. If I helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for a local charity or if I just made someone’s drive to work a little easier, either way I feel like I did a good job and I had a good day at work.
Additionally, I am pretty new to radio- having only 6 years experience. So even though I’m older than a lot of people I’ve crossed paths with, I have a zest for this business that many people tend to lose over the years and rightfully so. This industry can kick you when you’re down and you’ve gotta have a tough skin to get through the hard times.
Lastly, as a theatre kid, a lover of arts and music, and an advocate for many philanthropic causes, my connection to community is something I lead with. If I’m not contributing to my neighborhood, I’m doing everyone a disservice.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
In the media, we all have access to several services that help round up all the news of the world, entertainment updates, etc. I personally like to mix that with following as many local IG pages as I can. This helps me dive into the community that I’m entertaining and serving. I also try my best to get physically out to the events my listeners are attending. If I sound out of touch or I can’t give local info during my show, there’s no reason for listeners to continue tuning into me versus anyone else.
I want to be who they rely on- for info, for a laugh, for a good story, even if they need to vent. My goal is to be an ally, an entertainer, and a friend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mix929.com/shows-real-life-with-deanna/
- Instagram: @deannaontheair
- Facebook: @deannaontheair
- Twitter: @deannaontheair
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeannaAndJustinOnAir
