But Thankfully, This DJ No Longer Has to Be
by Stace
It's been almost two years since I've moved. Maybe that doesn't sound like a big deal, but believe you me, it's a huge deal! Since 2002, radio has consumed my life and my residency. Since July 5, 2002, I've traveled the country three different times in major cross-country moves. I've changed my cell phone number so many times, at one point I simply gave up and have used a Maine number ever since. I have boxes in my garage that I refuse to throw away. (Good moving boxes are expensive! Besides, these already are marked for whatever room they are to be packed with.)
It wasn't supposed to be that way. When I made the original move back in 2002, I thought that Memphis, Tenn., would be the place I would hang my hat for a very long time. It wasn't long after that the station flipped Spanish, and faster than you can say "Dos Equis," I was out of a job and on my way to Maine.
I grew up in a nomadic household. My parents moved around quite a bit, so I promised myself that once I bought a house, I was going to be a permanent citizen.
But now I see things differently. I see things through the eyes of an experienced personality. I see things with a fresh perspective. I see things without a U-Haul attached to the back of my car. I see that I am no longer an aimlessly wandering DJ.
I used to think about Howard Stern's Private Parts movie every time I was getting ready to make a move. How his station flipped to country, and he was so afraid of becoming "One of those DJ's who move from place to place, making no money." I understood what that line meant. I understand the fear of coming to work each day and not knowing if today was the day that I would be fired for drinking a bottle of water in the on-air studio (happened in Maine), or if this was the day that the station would flip format (happened in Memphis), or if this was the day management would fire my boss, hire a new person, and need to fire me to afford his salary (happened in Wisconsin).
I endured the ridiculous to insane. From on-air partners coming in consistently late, to the ones who were insecure and therefore would forget to turn on my mic, to the partner who accused me of being divorced and lying about "having a husband."
But I've had amazing adventures, too. Experiencing St. Jude's Research Hospital and then going on the air and raising money to help in any way I could. Meeting Keith Urban before anyone knew who he was, and seeing new artists like Decemberadio score tremendous success. It's been an incredible ride.
Two years into my job here in Nashville, I've seen myself grow in ways I never dreamed. I've become calmer. I've become a better friend, a better wife and a content person.
I've learned that radio is what I do, not who I am. I've learned that I belong here in Christian radio, and here in Nashville. But I'm not throwing away my boxes. After all, it's still radio!
