The intensity with which I listened and took notes amuses me now. It was June 1994, and I'd just been hired as a part-time DJ at smooth jazz station KNJZ.
Before my first air shift, I listened to several hours of an overnight shift. I jotted down how often the DJ spoke, whether the breaks between songs were short or long, and the phrasing used when announcing, back announcing, and stating station slogans. I also got an overall feel for the station's playlist and was pleased that I knew most of the artists.
No one told me I had to do this. I just thought it was a wise move. Granted, I wasn't preparing to work in a nuclear power plant. Lives don't hang in the balance when you're a smooth jazz DJ. Still, why not be as prepared as possible before starting a job?
