John Adams: Morning radio job has my attention
Most people in their 60s aren’t looking for second careers. I’m an exception.
In fact, just the other day, I was perusing indeed.com for job opportunities. One got my attention.
“Sports Morning Host,” it read.
Although I’ve never been known as a morning person, that’s not a deal breaker.
If I’m required to set my alarm at 4:30 a.m., I’m willing for the right job. And maybe, I thought, this could be the right job.
“Cumulus Media’s Knoxville location is offering a great opportunity in the programming side of the radio broadcasting industry as a morning sports host for WNML FM/AM, the flagship station of the University of Tennessee Volunteers."
I’m all about “great" opportunities.
As I read through the qualifications, I became more encouraged.
“You should be a sports and current events junkie that has a deep appreciation for Tennessee sports.”
That’s me. Just this past Saturday, I watched college basketball from 11:30 a.m. to midnight while following the internet’s blow-by-blow account of Tennessee’s 14-4 loss to Mississippi State in baseball. As for current events, I know that Brad has been texting Jen during his divorce with Angelina and I keep up with the Kardashians well enough to tell Kourtney, Chloe and Kim apart.
“Excellent writing and production skills to assist in the imaging and branding of your show are essential.”
I’ve been writing for publication since I was 15. I think I can handle that.
“The chosen candidate will be detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and react in a calm and decisive way in breaking information situations.”
I once wrote a breaking-news story on my computer while doing a radio show at the same time. Put that in the plus column, too.
“Solid people skills and the ability to work closely with other talent (on-air personalities) and an aggressive sales team are critical.”
No problem. I’ve done videos with skeletons. I can work with anybody.
I was sailing through the qualifications until I was stopped abruptly by this sentence: “You should understand the importance of our relationship with IMG (think Vol Network) and the importance of working within that partnership to serve both the fans and the university fairly.”
Hmmm. My track record admittedly could be better in that area.
I once responded to a UT fan’s vicious email with something like: “You have no future as a writer or a human being.” Also, the UT establishment probably thought I could have put a more positive spin on the Vols’ loss to Vanderbilt last football season.
But I can change. As proof, I rewrote a previous sentence about UT baseball to read: “ … while following the Internet’s account of Tennessee’s gallant, never-say-die effort in a 14-4 loss that was much closer than the final score.”
And to show how serious I am about this opportunity, I’m setting my alarm for 4:30 a.m. tomorrow. Just for practice.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @johnadamsKNS
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