When I finished making my demo tape for KCOU on October 3, 1991, I was ecstatic. I'd just chosen and announced an hour's worth of music on a real radio station. Although I would become even better at announcing and choosing music as time went on, I'd proven to myself that I could be a credible DJ.
Looking back, however, I'm glad that not many people likely heard me that morning. Although I thought I'd done reasonably well, the fact that hardly anyone was listening took a lot of the pressure off.
Aspiring DJs making their debuts today wouldn't have that luxury at most stations. In most cases, anyone in the world could listen to them online. Although radio is a public medium, there's something to be said for being able to make a few mistakes at first without the whole world potentially hearing them. Here's hoping that today's aspiring broadcasters make smooth debuts--and that their critics are kind.
