Let us be honest: One of the attractions of radio was not just expounding on the air about politics, sports, news, or music, it was fame. Most radio people do not achieve the fame of Stern, Limbaugh, etc…But, they receive a certain amount of notoriety. Sinead O’Connor’s passing led me to think through fame. It’s repercussions and perhaps some tips for you.
Sinead’s first album was The Lion and The Cobra. For the late 80s, it was a tremendous debut. Considering the fad of the day was Hair Metal, this album finished at the 95th largest seller for the year. The big single was Mandinka which peaked on the Dance Chart at #14. Her bald head and pretty features also gained a lot of attention. Sinead either wrote or co-wrote every song on the record. Every artist wants attention, but most are totally unprepared for worldwide fame.
Sinead’s second Album hit. Mostly her own songs, except for Nothing Compares 2 U written by Prince. This song was #1 all over the world. So, Sinead was an “overnight” sensation. And the pressure was really on.
Sinead was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live and ripped up a picture of the Pope. O’Connor was known by everyone after that. It was a clean-up on aisle five for the record company. The jokes and hate towards Sinead commenced. Prince didn’t like that Sinead O’Connor covered his song. Sinead’s long slide really ramped up.
Fame amplifies everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. It was obvious that Sinead had an anemic support system.
Let’s talk about your fame. You like to think that you run through your life anonymously. You are wrong. The internet gets your picture everywhere. If you do any public appearances for your station, people know you, which is terrific, but there is a cost.
Fame turns people into commodities. You are an individual. You are not a thing. But fame has made you one. If you reach a certain amount of notoriety, people begin to treat you differently. I personally want to be treated like everyone else. If you go and get a drink on the way home from work, there are people noticing you. If I am out with friends at a restaurant or bar, I never have a second drink. I will sip on a beer or bourbon and then have water after that.
Fame can sully your relationships. Ugly radio guys can date some amazingly attractive women. Which is nice, but are you a trophy for the lady? Does that matter to you? Do your “friends” like you as a person or enjoy hanging out with someone who has a tiny bit of fame? I have a buddy who was a casualty of one of the big layoffs in our industry. He was a morning show jock in a nice market. He told me that his group of friends disappeared after the loss of his job. Did people like this guy or did they like the attention they personally received from the relationship?
Many of us in radio have built relationships with comics, musicians, and actors. I was having a conversation with a well-known actor. I won’t name-drop. This incredibly famous man said that he avoided certain roles because he didn’t want to be Tom Cruise. What he meant is that he didn’t want to be a prisoner to his fame. I don’t think that Howard Stern is running a lot of errands on his own these days. But being well-known and liked is essential for a long run on the air.
So, here are my thoughts on fame for the radio personality: There is a difference between your on-air persona and you the individual. Learn the difference between these two parts of your life. Don’t be in personality mode 24/7. That is not you. You are like everyone else. When you are recognized in public, speak with the listener. Make the interaction personal and thank the individual for listening. If they want a selfie, do it immediately. It’s your job.
I used to work with a talk show host that would go into stupid impressions of random celebrities if recognized. It was really embarrassing. I told him after the interaction with a fan that it was stupid. If a listener greets you, thank them for listening. Make that moment very special for them. Never, ever, lose your temper in public. No matter how close you were to being t-boned in the parking lot of the grocery store, don’t flip off or yell at the guilty party. Just Smile.
If I order something at a restaurant and the food is wrong, do not send it back. Just eat it. You will live through it. No matter how bad the service at the restaurant is, tip 25% at the minimum. If you tip 10%, the server will talk about how cheap you are. If you tip 25%, the servers will brag about you. Win that war.
Everyone in your neighborhood or building knows who you are. Smile and wave at everyone. Greet your neighbors when you see them. This is imperative. If you are aloof or just not friendly, they will tell their friends and people at the office.
If you want to be anonymous, go to the store really early or really late. Hit the restaurant midafternoon. My brother worked at a restaurant in Santa Barbara while in college. Joe Cocker came in occasionally. Usually in the midafternoon, sat in a corner booth. Perfect, he could be a regular guy.
Sinead O’Connor’s mental health was very fragile. It is much easier to ask for help if the only people watching are friends and family. Everything becomes more difficult when it becomes a headline on social media and the news. Sinead’s fate could also have been averted by people telling her no. Famous people sometimes only have yes people around them.
We all have problems. We also may have impulses that may be unbecoming of our image and our radio station’s brand. If you need help, get it. Don’t become a prisoner like Sinead obviously became.
There is nothing embarrassing about fixing something in your life. Americans kind of like cheering for someone facing a problem. Being real and honest is attractive. Showing your weaknesses can actually be empowering. Your fame should not keep you from addressing something.
Peter Thiele is a weekly news/talk radio columnist for Barrett Media, and an experienced news/talk radio programmer. He recently served as program director for WHO/KXNO in Des Moines, IA. Prior to that role he held programming positions in New York City, San Francisco, Little Rock, Greenville, Hunstville, and Joplin. Peter has also worked as a host, account executive and producer in Minneapolis, and San Antonio. He can be found on Twitter at @PeterThiele.
