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Work space: Aargh on the air |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 10 May 2007 |
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 When Brett Reese was younger, the corporate world loomed like the plank off of the side of a pirate ship. Following that path would mean doom — well, in this case, unhappiness.
So instead, Reese has followed a risker but far more satisfying path of the entrepreneur.
His latest venture is Pirate Radio.
“You’ve got to do what you love,” Reese said.
The 37-year-old Greeley man started the license process of the nonprofit radio station at 104.7 on FM dial five years ago. The station has aired in the Greeley area for 3 1/2 years. At 100 watts, the signal reaches about 25 miles, which covers Greeley, Eaton, Nunn and part of eastern Fort Collins. Reese said he wants to expand to cover all of Fort Collins and Loveland.
“We need to raise some funds for that to happen,” he said. “It could happen within two months.”
Pirate Radio plays the likes of Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and more.
“I don’t like music that is demeaning to woman or race and a lot of times to get wholesome music, you have to go back 30, 40 or 50 years,” Reese said. “This music is great music and has been forgotten.”
Reese said the station changed formats a year ago to fill a specific niche.
“The best music has already been recorded,” Reese said.
He first discovered his passion for radio as a high school junior. He worked as a disc jockey for a little radio station in Douglas, Wyo.
“I think it is so important when in high school to experience as many different things as you can, then follow the thing you love the most,” he said. “It’s easy to say, but very few people do it. I knew when I walked into the basement of that little radio station, I loved it.”
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VITAL STATS
Name: Brett Reese
Company: Pirate Radio 104.7 FM
Title: Program director
How long have you worked there: On Air for about 3 1/2 years
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IN HIS WORDS
What is it about this job that makes it challenging?
It would definitely be staying ahead of all the details and events. There’s just something new all the time, but I’ve got an awesome manager who does all that. This format provides us with on-air staff that is just excellent.
Makes you get out of bed in the morning?
My wife. I don’t know, but that’s my favorite time of day to lay down.
Things that impress you?
Capable. People who are capable. Elvis Presley could sing. Warren Buffett could invest. That really motivates me.
Things that don’t.
Probably the biggest thing is lack of caring. You could say apathy, but we don’t know what that means. Lack of caring.
How do young/new employees get ahead?
They show responsibility and show they care. Goes back to foundational premise: Do what you love and you won’t have any trouble following through.
Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
Sure. You set your goals. The trick is, teachers don’t give you a game plan for when you accomplish your goals. You say ’gee, what now?’
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
Flying. Flying my flying chair. It’s technically called a PPG (Powered Paraglider). It’s the single most fun thing I’ve ever done — clothes on or off.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
Leave a microphone up between songs; that’s among them.
Smartest?
I’ll pass on that one. It’s too hard of a question.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
This is pretty good. A magic ventriloquist magic show couple years ago. Ventriloquist magic show family and I also go to nursing homes and sing.
Any interesting anecdotes?
The secret to life is there is no secret and things are never so bad or so good as they seem at the time.
What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now?
Everything I want to do I can... I guess span signal.
What do you do during your breaks?
In between songs I’m usually getting ready for the next break. That’s a good DJ answer.
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
Meet people and speak to civic groups.
Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
Being on the farm. It taught me hard work— long boring hours driving a tractor— that’s discipline man.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
Meeting new people. Seeing people enjoy radio. Sometimes that’s to a fault because people will abuse it and abuse me.
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
I just have the penthouse suit but I’m not the boss. I let them do it.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Fly that flying chair. That’s what I call it.
Pets? Family?
Dog Angie and cat Smidgen, Married to Chrisann. We have three daughters Kelsey, 9, McKenzi, 5 and Lexi, 3.
Favorite TV shows.
I don’t watch much TV.
Movies.
Anything with Anthony Hopkins in it.
Books.
John Stossel’s “Stupid in America”
What Web sites do you have bookmarked?
City of Greeley current events, aviation wind forecast for PPGs and of course lots of FCC stuff.
Where do you play? Go out to eat?
My backyard with the girls. Perkins because it’s quite and I can think
Favorite spot?
The radio station. | Only registered users can write comments.
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