We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rick McNeely. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rick below.

Alright, Rick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’ve been able to work as a radio personality in the DFW area. I was a radio TV film major in college, so I knew what I wanted to do in life. Before graduation I took a job at a local radio station and literally fell in love with the business. Before this I had been a guest host on two FM radio stations and love them just as much. Settling on internet radio was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Fish bowl Radio Network is the largest internet radio station in the state of Texas. For over 10 years we have entertained over 3 million people on a monthly basis, and hired the most female DJs per capita of any radio station Nationwide. Our Network is the longest running radio station of its kind and we’ve had up to 30 DJs or more at times. We welcome everyone from the amateur to the season professional. We love the fact that we invite the public to come in as guest so we can interview them on air. Business owners, college students, working single moms, military and local celebrities have been a part of this wonderful journey.

My show, Alley Rally, has won several awards including best male dj and best radio show of the year. I invite you all of the listen to the award-winning show every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. on the network

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?

When I was a child I told my parents I wanted to be a musician. In high school I played trumpet and bass guitar in jazz band. Once I picked up the strings I was hooked and I thought that was my life’s destiny. When I entered College I had the opportunity to do film production as an actor. I wasn’t sure because I never entertained the thought of being on TV and film. After my first production, I was hooked once again. I did everything from cinema movies to local commercials. I have no regrets taking that route and still have minor aspirations in that field. A few years after that, I was introduced to radio broadcast and as they say, the rest is history.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most reward of thing is when people appreciate your gift. Entertainment is something you really have to dedicate yourself to. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of smart work. Lots of peer pressure and people telling you that it’s not worth it in the long run. It is worth it all! When I get off of the microphone and I go downtown to have dinner, it’s rewarding when your fan base tells you how important you are to them. My family, friends and fanbase keep me going and keep me focused so I can deliver the best shows to the best of my ability. The feeling is absolutely rewarding.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience by sharing the website of the radio station as well as engaging with them on all of my platforms. People love feedback and you must engage with them at least weekly to let them know they are important to you. People love to speak to their favorite celebrity and knowing their opinion matters to them. I love to hear back from people whether it be in person, text message or online. That lets me know my word is getting out there and I do accept everything from the highest praise to constructive criticism. All of those factors will blend when I write my shows. I do this because I love it but I also do it for those that love it as much as I do. Everybody on this planet loves one or more forms of music. We can’t have a world without it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Djrickholidays.com
• Instagram: Rickshotz66
• Facebook: Rick.McNeely1
• Twitter: @rickshotz66
• Youtube: Hot grills of Texas

Image Credits
Sassy Images