Shut Up and Play the Music!
I received a phone call from a good friend of mine in Footville. Actually, we are really just acquaintances but I take his opinion seriously.
He's a farmer and a great guy. Big fan of WJVL. He has listened for years! He's just down to earth and the kind of person you enjoy talking with.
He informed me that he was out between Orfordville and Brodhead talking with a good ol' boy and WJVL was brought up. The gentleman he was talking with says, "I can't listen to that JB anymore. All he does is talk about his new kid!"
My friend told me that he said, "I must be listening at the wrong time because I'm just not hearing it nearly as much as you claim."
Since Mallory was born (July) I've also received 2 emails from listeners expressing the same concern. "Shut and play the music!" has been the general theme to those emails I've gotten.
Now...I'm not upset. I'm really not. Confused is more like it. Here's why: I've made a very concerted effort not to overkill listeners with "baby stories". And I really don't feel I've been sharing all that many stories. And if I do share something on the air, chances are I have given it some thought prior to turning on my mic.
If I'm telling a "story" on the air, it's because I felt that most people listening would be able to relate to it, or at least think it's a cute story. And I try to make them as quick as possible. It's not like I have her in the studio everyday going "gaa gaa" and "goo goo".
So what should I talk about? Just country fun facts and the daily Country News that any 'Joe Jock' can read? Should I only stick to time, temperature and song title and artists and leave out any personal story from my life? No more hunting stories. No more stories about the passenger side whipper on my truck not working. No more stories about being locked out of the house...while in my lounge pants. Yikes!
I've always tried to keep it light hearted and fun. I try not to get too political. I'd like to have people say that I make their day just a little bit better while passing time on the way home and that I make them smile and forget about their hectic lives.
I know I will "never please 100% of the people 100% of the time" and that not everyone who listens to WJVL will share the same opinions as me. And that's o.k. That's what makes this country such a great place!
We have men and women overseas fighting for those same opinions and our freedom to share those feelings and expressions back here at home.
Maybe all of us should focus on them instead of worrying about JB's baby stories and whether he IS or ISN'T talking too much about his 4 month old daughter Mallory?
Maybe we should put all of our energies into helping out those families in our area who have "babies", but can't afford to put food on the table or presents under the tree?
Donate to ECHO, CARITAS, the Salvation Army or the local food pantry in your town.
In the mean time, brace yourself for some possible "Baby's 1st Christmas" stories from me in the near future.
For now, I'll shut up and play a song. How about Montgomery Gentry "What Do Ya Think About That".
Mallory says "Thanks for listening to my daddy!"
Dec 21, 2007 at 10:20 p.m.
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isn't life too short not tell about about your family? It makes the show all the more personable and gives us glimses into each others insight.
Dec 18, 2007 at 9:40 a.m.
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I can't listen to WJVL during work - but I listen whenever I can. All of the DJ's add their own little stories to their sessions and I think this makes them human and we helps us relate to them. We all gather around the the office or warehouse & share stories of our families - why not DJ's? Don't stop telling stories about your daughter and Merry Christmas!
Dec 17, 2007 at 2:47 p.m.
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As the proud (paternal) grandmother of this adorable little girl, and therefore the MOM to JB the DJ, I would like to say that some of us are not fortunate enough to be within the WJVL listening area. I can "listen" online when I am at a computer w/internet access, but not daily. Therefore I am so glad that the DJs in my listening area are free to talk about their family, hobbies, interests and activities on the air without someone giving them grief. Justin, you are right...you can not please 100% of your listening audience, and honestly anyone who has a problem with your "personalizing" your airtime, probably doesn't like anyone sharing on the radio. That is really a pity, isn't it?
Dec 15, 2007 at 11:54 a.m.
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JB I have a 2 and 4 year old. If I wanted to listen to just music a would throw in a CD. You guys all do an awesome job. You relate your stories so good to every day life. keep up the good job.To the rest who are complaining it must be holiday stress syndrome. Thanks again MJ
Dec 14, 2007 at 8:28 p.m.
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YOUR NOT OVERKILLING it. As listeners we feel that the Dj's are very much apart of our lives, you guys are on our radio everyday. You help us through many difficult situations each and everytime you come on. We have watched many of you grow up. So we love hearing about you family. It makes it much more personable.
Dec 14, 2007 at 12:59 p.m.
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If you do get any negative comments, don't let anyone (boss, friend, co-workers)bring you down about it. They most likely just wish that their lives or show was as good!!!
Dec 14, 2007 at 7:44 a.m.
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I love to hear the stories about Mallory. It makes my drive home and running after work errands enjoyable. Keep on talkin'!! Happy Holidays!!
Dec 12, 2007 at 9:34 p.m.
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Hey JB! I love hearing about your baby girl! It makes me so happy to hear you talk about your precious daughter! Thank you for helping make my day better, because when I'm listening to you I'm usually on my way to Rockford to sit through class from 5:30-9:30 or I'm in the barn milkin my girls...We live in Juda and there is no other station on the radio when we're milking cows! Thanks a ton JB!
Dec 12, 2007 at 4:15 p.m.
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Don't pay attention to what everyone else is saying. As a parent you should be proud of your children. People don't understand that is why we have all these disrespectful kids running around. Parents are not truly being parents! Your doing your job as a DJ and as a parent!
I do not have any kids. I have a niece and 5 nephews. I talk about them all of the time and if people don't like it then they can ignore it. Continue doing what you are doing .... I enjoy hearing about other peoples joys! I want to know what Mallory's first words will be and when she walks for the first time. This is the best age for parents to enjoy, so enjoy it and please continue sharing it with us! -"Aunt Katie"
Dec 12, 2007 at 2:28 p.m.
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JB: I think you are doing a great job. I love hearing your stories. You can hear the pure joy in your voice when you talk about Mallory, it's great to hear someone who is so proud of his little girl. Keep up the good work and keep on telling your stories. If people don't want to hear about them then why are they listening? I hope you and you family have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and I look forward to hearing all the cute stories about Mallory's first Christmas!
Dec 12, 2007 at 12:23 p.m.
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JB, you do a great job of helping me through the last 3 hours of my day. Everyone at my work loves listen to you and all of your stories, wether they contain Mallory or not. She is an adorable baby, and you have every tight to brag about her and tell about the cute things she does. Keep on doing what your doing and let people say what they want. People always have to have something to complain about, otherwise how would they get through their day.
Dec 12, 2007 at 10:33 a.m.
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As a dad of 6, I know how much my family is on my own mind all day. I think it's a GREAT thing that a man thinks about his family during his workday! You have a fantastic platform with wich to extoll the virtues of the most imprtant calling a man can have...FATHERHOOD! Keep talkin' the talk my friend. And God Bless you for being a loving father! Anybody doesn't dig it...let 'em get their own show!
Dec 11, 2007 at 6:23 p.m.
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I'm just glad you are a proud parent !
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