We recently connected with David Schilling and have shared our conversation below.

David, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I think it’s very important in most parts of life to take risks. Big or small. Without taking risks we can’t move forward in life.

I’ve found most times I’m faced with a decision to play it safe vs taking the risk and saying yes to something I’m unsure of, the outcome has been more positive than not. Even when it comes to asking someone for a favor, or a job, or whatever, when I ask I feel better regardless of whether I get the answer I wanted or not. I took the chance to move forward. A wise man once told me the answer is always “no” unless you ask.

It’s how I got into radio and music event production at a late age. I have always had a love of music and how concerts are produced. I started by working with an internationally respected independent radio station learning how radio works and how DJs put together shows. When I approached the station I really figured they would choose younger people than me, but thankfully I was wrong and they gave me a shot. It led to me working with many amazingly talented and well known artists, producing some music events, working with a very well known band on tour and becoming a radio DJ with my own shows.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m retired from a 30 year career in commercial real estate. I started at the bottom, parking cars, then worked my way up through the company, retiring as Senior Vice President. I always focused on being the best I could be and doing the best job I could.

I have had a lifelong love of music, so when I retired I decided to build a second career around something I loved. I began working with an internationally respected independent radio station, learning how broadcast worked, how DJs create and produce shows, how to produce live music events and how to relate to artists. After about four years of this I decided to try producing my own radio show, so connected with another independent radio station (in another city after relocating) and began my own show. In the four years since I have created a prime drive time show where I play new music, local artists and interviews. I get a lot of great feedback from listeners so I’m counting this as a success!

Along with radio, I have managed artists and produced live music events.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was 14 years old I was involved in an accident that put me in the hospital paralyzed from the neck down. The prognosis was a paraplegic for life. In my 14 year old boy’s mind that was not an option. I would fully recover and walk out of the hospital unaided before summertime. Needless to say, the doctors did not agree.

Slowly over the first couple of weeks following the accident I began to move my toes, then my feet, then legs and eventually my hands and arms. I was very weak but I was regaining feeling and motion. At the time there were no MRI’s or CAT Scans, only XRAYs, so doctors had no way to see the full extent of my injury. As it turns out I dodged a bullet. Instead of severing my spinal cord (which is unrepairable), mine had only been “bruised”. As the injured area began to heal most of the nerves were able to do their jobs again. So I regained most of my strength and motion, although overall weaker and with some areas still, and forever, unable to move.

After four months of several times a day physical and occupational therapy, as well as a relentless mental determination to be back to normal, I walked out of the hospital unaided and went home.

The experience changed me forever. I learned “experts” are not always right. I learned your mind is a very powerful tool not only in thought and decisions, but in repairing your physical body. Focused determination, unwavering belief and hard work can get you through things in life others may not believe in.

I learned then that in many cases even the seemingly impossible is possible if you truly put your mind into it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I love music, especially discovering new music, and I love to pass along what I find along to other people to enjoy. My main goal is to simply lift people up through the power of good music.

In our crazy and complicated world these days, if I can help someone to have a better day by discovering some new music they fall in love with, or hear an old favorite that brightens their day, I have succeeded.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://xray.fm/shows/backseatdj
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backseatdjxrayfm