Friday, February 6, 2009

Real 2 Real Talk with Nikki-Nicole

REAL 2 REEL TALK WITH NIKKI-NICOLE

Welcome to "Real 2 Reel Talk" with me, Nikki-Nicole!! I am so excited and thrilled that you chose to be a part of Real 2 Reel Talk!! This is the first of many articles that I will produce, and boy, have I got a lot on my mind!!

Radio is a beautiful thing if you choose to embrace it and production is, in my opinion one of the greatest gifts of them all. Real 2 Reel Talk will focus on real radio jargon, the good, the bad and the make you want to open the “MIC” and talk about your co-workers (lol)!! Real 2 Reel Talk will embrace production and the beauty of being able to create something and unlike life, ERASE it if you don't like it!! Much RESPECT to all the radio veterans who endured the days of "the reel"; I've heard the stories (lol)!! Feel free to drop your most unforgettable "reel story." That's what Real 2 Reel Talk is all about; having fun with radio...again, and at the same time teaching each other. Why clutch on to information if you can teach someone else? With all the many cutbacks from major radio corporations and good people losing jobs, you tend to lose your passion and desire for radio and the hope that it will ever be the same again. If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. ~President Barack Obama~ That's da man!! Don't you just looovvveee the new image of the American family? I do!!

We will spill the beans about egos in the industry, take it back with some pop quizzes (see what you really know about radio), find out what elements constitute an A+ aircheck, open up topics for discussion, talk about different production styles and even find out what's your style. Real 2 Reel Talk is not only for the production gurus around the world, but radio professionals around the country!! To be honest some of you don't deserve the title of being a "professional," one of my best friends in the industry, Sha-Dai of 101.9 KISS FM in New Bern, NC. She always said, "conduct yourself like the mic is on, even if you’re NOT on the air."

Real 2 Reel Talk is the column that will uncover the truths, myths and life of the radio "professional”. Speaking of the radio professional, why don't I give you my background. That's the #1 conversation starter, especially if you’re at an interview the interviewer always wants YOU to know HIS background, so let me tell you a little bit about myself (lol).

I found my passion for radio as a summer intern for WVBE Vibe 100 in Roanoke VA, under the leadership of PD Walt Ford. In one month I knew this would be my life! In a business that’s all about networking, I reached out to PD Jeff “Uzi D” Anderson who directed me to the Production Director, Rob Swynga at WJMH 102 Jamz in Greensboro, NC. and this is where it truly began!

I started voicing and producing commercials and became a team player in no time, which grabbed the attention of PD Brian Douglas and MD Tap Money, who wondered if I could handle an on-air shift. I landed the over night weekend slot, as 900 Ronda, the sexy, risqué female who loved to tell it like it is. 900 Ronda moved up the ladder to success quickly as a fill-in for other jocks and eventually moved up to Sunday afternoons. I also co-hosted the 10 o'clock Banger with #1 night jock Waleed Coyote. 102 Jamz was the best, but it was time for 900 Ronda to find her identity in this industry. So I applied for the mid-day position at WIKS and the Program Director, J-Dot heard potential for nights and hired me as the new night jock!! I was outspoken, loud, related to all ages and the listeners were drawn like a magnet to the "Nik at Nite Show".

That determination, love, and passion, has delivered me to a new home as Mid-day personality at WFXA 103Jamz in Augusta, GA. While in GA, I launched 2hot4radio Sounds.This is a full service voiceover and imaging company to offset any station from the competition with award winning production to completely blow your mind. This is what it means to be "2hot4radio"!!!

That's who I am...and this is MY column "Real 2 Reel Talk with Nikki-Nicole!!! You can address your comments, concerns and thoughts to nikki@2hot4radiosounds.com or drop them below!!


~STAY TUNED FOR "HAIR, NAILS AND PRODUCTION??~