As we start off the new year of 2026, remember that the work you do behind the scenes is the work that will catapult you into the opportunities you hope for the most.
The show preparation, the practice, the show simulations to test things in private — that’s the work most talent does not do. Most radio people do not practice their craft off air. Once they get off the air, rehearsal for the next day is never given a thought.
In this new year, if you would just give 60 to 75 percent more thought into what you want to say to your audience every day, you would stand so tall above the mediocre crowd of talent in the world of radio. I keep talking about reading more and definitely writing more in all my articles. It is the cornerstone to becoming a much better communicator.
Back in the day when I started doing mornings at WQMG in Greensboro NC in 1990, they used to call me the stutter master. I was unsure of my next sentence sometimes, so I would stutter in certain moments. It bothered me so much that I started writing a script for myself to help me navigate through my breaks. I was nervous about making mistakes every day until I started doing this.
(I’ll find some of my old show prep material and share it with you one day. You have to do what you have to do to get better.)
Sam Weaver was my PD then, and he stayed on me. I had a great coach who wanted me to shine. And with Jasmine James as my co-host — who was super articulate — I had to go in the woodshed and and get better. I got tired of me being a running joke in our aircheck sessions. So yes I started writing things down. To this day I still like to write for my show. I have a lot to share with you on this subject, because this is what helped me grow. From Greensboro, I got my first big gig doing mornings at V-103 in Baltimore working with Roy Sampson. That period was from 1990 to September of 1992. I went from being a $21,000 morning man to a $72,000 talent in 1992. What a jump in salary and market size for a country boy from Goldsboro, NC. That was from Practice!
I’m including this information only to show you what intentional growth looks like when you strive to become better. This is a personal discipline that nobody can force you into. Make this year a correction year in your personal development as an on-air personality. Stop being lazy and begin being detailed with your work. It is not hard to stand out in the midst of lazy on-air talent in this industry. Separate yourself from that crowd with the intensity you put into your show preparation every day.
I’m hoping for the best for you in 2026. This is a correction year for all of us. I’ve heard it’s also being called a karmic year.
New Beginnings (Universal Year 1): 2026 adds up to a Universal Year 1, signifying fresh starts, innovation, and the courage to initiate new paths.
Karmic Tests (Saturn’s Influence): Ruled by Saturn, the planet of karma, 2026 highlights accountability, discipline, and facing the consequences of past actions to build lasting success.
If this challenged you, stay with me. I’m building something for people who take this craft seriously.” Let me know how I can help.
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