There are all sorts of random "holidays" out there, but today's is my number one FAVORITE (well, next to National Nacho Day)! August 20th is also known as National Radio Day!

According to NationalRadioDay.com, "National Radio Day is a time for communities across the country to celebrate radio." As a radio DJ, I occasionally get asked, "isn't radio a dying industry?" The answer is no! A recent survey revealed that 67% of people listen to the radio every single day, with over 70% listening in the car. And if you like to sing along with the songs, you're not alone. 48% of people are right there with you!

I was a lover of radio long before I went into the business. I remember listening to popular Detroit radio stations at a very young age, which helped spark my love of music. I used to sit on the floor of my bedroom next to my boombox, patiently waiting for my favorite songs to come on so that I could record them onto a cassette tape. My love of morning radio began when I was in high school, but it wasn't until my first year of college that I realized I could make it my future. I used to drive 45 minutes to class every day, flipping between Mojo in the Morning and Dave & Chuck the Freak, until one day I started listening to the commercials for the Specs Howard School of Media Arts. I had never even considered turning my love of radio into a career, but here I am eight years later. Here's a photo from one of my first ever remote broadcasts in Port Huron, Michigan:

Courtlin
Courtlin
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The worst part of working in radio would have to be the hours. Morning radio is where I belong, but that means getting up at 3:30 a.m. for the rest of my life. The good parts definitely outweigh the bad, though. The best thing about working in radio? Free concert tickets, of course!

I just want to give a shout out to all of you listeners out there for supporting local radio and keeping me employed. I think I speak for everyone here at Townsquare Media when I say THANK YOU! :)

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