A small number of radio disc jockeys reach celebrity status, such as Wolfman Jack, whose radio career spanned from the 1960s to his death in 1995.
The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Radio announcers who play music, or discs, are often called disc jockeys. They introduce records, commercials, news, and public announcements that are aired at a radio station.
While on the air, disc jockeys comment on the music, weather, news, and traffic. They may interview guests, take requests from listeners, and manage listener contests. They usually make up comments as they go, working without a formal written script.
Some disc jockeys get to choose the music that will be played during their shows. However, they usually must choose music from an approved play list put together by the station's program or music director. At smaller stations, disc jockeys may have off-air duties such as operating the control board, which is used to broadcast the programming, commercials, and public service announcements according to schedule.
A small number of radio disc jockeys reach celebrity status, such as Wolfman Jack, whose radio career spanned from the 1960s to his death in 1995.
Mathematics comes into play when preparing the station's schedule. A certain percentage of air time may be set aside for music, another percentage for commercials, and so on. Timing is critical at a radio station. The play times of music, commercials, and other programs must add up precisely so that there is no "dead air."
Mathematics is also used in the radio industry when conducting listener demographic studies. Statistics are used by the radio stations to determine their target audiences and to periodically assess the demographic makeup of their listeners.
Educational requirements for a radio disc jockey job vary. However, many stations prefer a college degree or vocational and technical training. In college, courses in communications and broadcasting are useful. Working at the college radio station is also valuable experience.
Field, Shelly. Career Opportunities in the Music Industry, 3rd ed. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1995.
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000–2001 Edition. <http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.ht m>.