The intersection of luck and preparation while DJing on Marathon Monday

The intersection of luck and preparation while DJing on Marathon Monday

The Boston Marathon has always been a day with so much meaning for me. From a young kid cheering on the runners, to a young adult partying throughout the city, to the transplanted Bostonian in Miami watching as terror ripped through the finish line to today as the race is cancelled due to the pandemic. There are so many reasons to reflect on this day, but as I usually do, I wanted to share a positive story about why this day has always been a moment for me to reflect on my goals and see if any recalibration is needed for the rest of the year.

Once I decide to pursue a career in radio, my dream was to work at KISS 108 or JAMN 94.5 in Boston and be the next Baltazar or Matty in the Morning. I was 21 years old and working a few odd jobs to pay the bills, and one day while delivering pizzas I heard a promo on JAMN asking for volunteers to get dunked into the largest bowl of Cheerios for a chance to win prizes. They said the morning show would be there and all I heard was an opportunity to meet radio people. I called and signed up immediately. My friends and family thought I was crazy! I got dunked in that bowl of Cheerios and it was freezing!! After the broadcast, I got to chat with the morning host, Baltazar about the business and he told me many things but one thing really connected with me, “You need to get your foot in the door with an internship and then outwork everyone else!” He was amazing to me that day and I try to pay that kindness forward every chance that I get.

So now I knew I needed to get an internship, but how??? I would search their website for ideas to meet their people, then one day, I noticed that KISS 108 was going to be at one of the the bars I worked at as a DJ on Marathon Monday. I knew this was my shot to introduce myself and get my “break”. I got to work early that Saturday and asked the owner if I could DJ that event, even offering to do it for free just so I could meet the radio people. He shared that they had the same DJ every marathon Monday and they didn’t need me to DJ, but they were short on bouncers for that day. His offer was, if I would help out as a bouncer, then I would be the contact for the radio station that day, so I could meet them. I was in!

Fast forward to Marathon Monday morning and I am at the bar at 7:30 in the morning to get ready for the 8am opening of the bar. About 7:45 the other owner of the bar comes up to me and asks. “are you the kid that DJs?” I reply that I am and he continues, “well our DJ is M.I.A., if you have your equipment with you, then you are on!” WOW, it was really happening! I ran to get my equipment and took a deep breathe as I was about to DJ one of the biggest parties of the year and in front of people from KISS 108… I knew this was my chance!

It worked, I made a great impression on the radio station staff that day and shortly after I started my internship at KISS 108. I met and got to work with many of the people that influenced my love of radio. It was a dream come true and I cherish those memories to this day.

When I have shared this story in the past, I have learned a lot about the people I shared it with by their take away from the story. One group, focuses on the luck of the other DJ not showing up and the other focuses on the work and selflessness to put myself in the position to capitalize on the other DJ not showing up. Both are correct, but the luck doesn’t happen without the work. This is why I always take a moment on this day and reflect on what I am working towards next and assess whether I have done the work to be prepared for next moment of “luck”.

#Marketing #Radio #Goals #BostonMarathon #Boston #DJ