Neal Mason | Weekends

My first experience being paid to speak into a microphone was in a DQ drive-thru. Later I worked at a grocery store and often “cracked the mic” to do price checks. After several people told me, “You know, those announcements you made were not completely terrible,” I thought I’d give radio a try.

After completing broadcasting school and making a demo tape (yes, it was on actual tape) I landed my first “gig” at KKJO 105.1 FM in St. Joseph, Missouri playing pop hits, “Today’s Best and Yesterday’s Favorites.” I was hired immediately upon being interviewed. Clearly, my talent shined through…or maybe it was because I was willing to work overnights and then go on Hardee’s breakfast runs for the morning team.

In addition to my full-time position in St. Joe, I also picked up part-time work playing Classic Rock at KCFX, 101 The Fox in Kansas City. For a number of years, I was on the air pretty much seven days a week. But I didn’t care. I loved it. And I needed all the cash I could get to feed my Mountain Dew habit.

My career later took me through Wisconsin with stops in Stevens Point, Wausau, Appleton and Green Bay (I got to be on a first-name basis with U-Haul) before landing in the Forest City. I’m very proud to call Rockford home and I want to thank you for joining me Sunday afternoons here on B103.