Tortolita Snow
It has been a long time since I blogged here. One of the things I plan on changing in 2015. This year is off to an AMAZING start and the signs are unmistakable.
It snowed overnight! A rare and exciting event in these parts. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year. Then, I am driving in my car to see the snow and take a few pictures, and Mix FM is playing an old American Top 40. The top 100 songs of 1984! Another unmistakable sign for the new year. 1984 is the year that I took my last pay check and bought a one way bus ticket for Roswell, NM in hopes of landing a radio (and eventually TV) job. What an adventure as I arrived in Roswell in late Spring. I hit the pavement looking for that radio gig I had always dreamed of. I stopped by KBIM AM/FM and talked to one of the owners, Betty King. They didn’t have any openings, but she was running for state senate. She talked my ear off! I guess my fro didn’t scare her off :-)
A couple of months later I was busing tables at Chew Den, a local Chinese restaurant, and the King’s sat in my section. Betty recognized me despite my haircut. She told me they had a part time opening and to talk to Harry Deirks. So, the next morning I did. He told me that since I had no radio experience he wasn’t interested. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. This is what I was here for! Next morning I was waiting for Harry when he arrived for work. the answer was still no. Next morning I was there waiting for Harry when he arrived for work. Still no. The next morning I was there again. I think he knew I wasn’t going to leave him alone unless he gave me a chance. He had me read some wire copy. Not bad, he said, except that I should change my inflection between stories. At least I didn’t have a west Texas accent like the applicant’s cassettes he had on his desk, he said. He hired me for weekends! My first radio gig! I worked at Chew Den and part time at the radio station until Harry moved me up to full time overnights. I was there two years and finished my stint at KBIM AM/FM as Music Director.
I moved to TV at KOBR as Master Control Operator. I learned how to edit, direct news breaks, run audio, graphics, and most importantly use a TV camera.
That eventually led to a news photographer job at KBIM TV. That led to a reporter job and eventually weather anchor! Ever since Jr. High I wanted to be a DJ and a Weatherman. It took almost 8 years, but I made it happen in Roswell.
So this morning when I woke up to snow (I LOVE snow!) and then the top 100 of 1984, I knew. The signs are clear. This year will be special. As I listen right now to the songs that I played as a new DJ, the songs that were the soundtrack of my life as I boldly moved to realizing my dreams, I feel the same excitement.
God has already opened the door to me doing news talk radio. I know He is with me as I move in to 2015! I will get in shape. I will learn Spanish. And maybe, just maybe… well, I’ll leave that dream to myself for now.
Dare to dream. Step out in faith. It is the road less chosen and it will make all the difference.
Cheers!
