Sunday, October 04, 2009
Quick, A+E, Q&A

Jimmy Baron

The Quick Q&A

Jimmy Baron, best-known as a former morning-drive co-host on alternative-rock station 99X, recently returned to Atlanta radio after a long absence. He currently hosts mornings, 5:30 to 9 a.m., on DAVE-FM. 

How is the format of your new show on DAVE-FM different from what you’re used to, or what you used to do on 99X?

Well, it’s entirely different because “The Morning X” was a machine with lots of cogs. It was a big show with a lot of people. This show is more pared-down. There's definitely more focus on the music than on "The Morning X." I have to use skills that I didn’t have, like to introduce a song. I never had to say, “Here’s the new hit from Pearl Jam.” It’s different to talk to people in a room, and now just talking into a mic and thinking there are people listening. I’m glad to have [producer] Yvonne Monet on the show with me.

Plus, I'm talking to an older, more mature audience, which I love. They're people who may have listened to me on 99X when they were younger but, like me, they have different concerns and interests than when they were 22.

What’s been the biggest adjustment?

Actually, just being a DJ, learning to develop skills as a music DJ. I'm more used to talking about stuff: about the news, talking to listeners on the phone. It [being a music DJ] is something I’ve never done at 99X or in my career. But I'm still taking calls from listeners, doing interviews and talking about life, news and pop culture.

Was it easy to start getting up at 4 in the morning again?

That is actually not hard. People say 4 a.m. is really early. I say, “Getting up at 4 a.m. means I’m late.” I wake up at 3:15. Getting up sucks. Nobody likes getting up. I don’t mind that part of the day because you’re alone with your coffee and your thoughts. After 5 p.m., I run out of steam.

Do you have any other projects in the works right now?

No, not really. That’s like a question my dad would ask, thinking this isn’t a real job. This is actually my full-time job. I’m not motivated to write a book or teach Pilates. You get up at 3:15 and you only have enough motivation to get through a certain portion of the day.

Has Atlanta radio changed since you were last on the air?

Yes and no. It’s changed from the standpoint of who owns all the stations. Atlanta is a market that seems to like their comfort zones. TV and radio personalities have been on for a long time. They’ve been able to connect with an audience. It’s very difficult for new talent to come in and find a new audience. Ten years ago, someone could do a morning show, and your company would give you a year or two to establish an audience. But now, because of how corporations run radio stations, they don’t give new shows time to get established. If they can hire someone who has any following or name recognition, that’s seen as being ahead of the game.—Meghan Kotowski