Today we’d like to introduce you to JaRon Ferguson.
JaRon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Radio was a childhood dream of mine. I grew up listening to an old yellow radio in the backyard, whenever I spent time with my Great Grandfather. I was always fascinated by the voices coming out of the box, and by the stories, they’d tell. Some kids played cops and robbers, I played radio station. I would set up one recorder for my voice and play cassette tapes out of a speaker as I spoke between songs. Dj-ing my own radio station. I even called radio stations as a kid, just to hear my voice on air requesting songs. As I went through my educational career, I began to focus on “more practical” career paths but radio always was that unattainable dream.
While attending Cal Poly Pomona, as a 4th-year Business Major, I stumbled upon a career day hosted by the Communications Department in which I listened to a radio professional (Chris Ruh) speak about his experience in the industry. This lit a fire in me to go after my radio goals. I began looking for internships. One day, while ditching class, I wanted to have a productive day, so I spent time looking for radio internships. I saw and applied for an internship with the Adam Carolla Morning Show (2006). I had no radio educational background, so I figured I had no chance of getting selected. So when I got the interview, I was extremely shocked! To make up for my lack of experience, I decided to dress up in the best suit and tie a college kid could borrow from their friend. I was told this is what landed me the internship with the show. As an intern, I had chances to hop on air to carry out stunts and meet some of my childhood heroes and celebrities I looked up to. The only problem was that when my school year ended so would the internship. Luckily they hired me on at 8.25 an hour that summer, but fresh out of college I needed to make “real money”. I began my job hunt in the radio industry and 3 months after graduation landed a full-time job as a morning show producer, with a station that I would stay at for 4 years before going to SiriusXM radio to join a morning show. Back in LA, as a 20-something I lived my best life.
Going to great parties, meeting all of the who’s who. Until we got fired. For some years I would bounce around LA radio taking low-paying jobs in order to keep the dream alive, however, the dream faded and I left radio for 6 years.
While working outside of radio the only thing I wanted to do was get back in it, but as time passed that looked less likely as that job gap in my resume grew. At the end of 2019, I got a new job, working as a cable salesperson, but on the very first day of training, I booked a national commercial. Needless to say, I quit that job in the middle of my training session. I knew the commercial was the blessing I was looking for, and so did my (girlfriend at the time) wife. She encouraged me to take a part-time job in radio to get back into it. So I applied for a few, and I went back to SiriusXM as a part-time employee. Drawing upon my experience as an intern and the need to work my way up from the bottom, I did. Currently, I am the afternoon host on SiriusXMU along with filling in on Alt Nation. I also produce shows and content for SiriusXM talk/entertainment channels.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Lost my job on the radio. Had to take on a roommate, in my first solo apartment 1 year after moving in. Worked low-paying jobs in LA and continuously was rejected from radio jobs as I tried to reenter the industry. I’ll leave acting out of this because that is a constant struggle, and we all know the challenges minority actors face in the industry.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I host radio. Can be heard on afternoons on SiriusXMU. As well as filling in on Alt Nation.
I also act, not well.
I’m proud of doing this for myself. When everyone was telling me to give up, I found a way. Looking back I might have given up, but I always would recall The Alchemist. When it’s your life’s purpose the universe will conspire to give it to you. I really had an easy time getting into radio and an easy time moving up. I might have gotten a bit too cocky and needed to be humbled which is why it all came crashing down. In the proverbial desert, I just thought of The Alchemist and that I was on my journey too, but I also needed to find ways to meet my living needs so that I could figure out and continue the journey.
The fact that I am lit up every day when I work and am doing what I love is truly a blessing.
On Air, I am all about making you a part of the conversation. I am not talking to you. I am there next to you and we are talking about music, sharing funny stories. Granted I can’t hear what you’re saying, but I just imagine and want it to feel like we are two friends just hanging out. I hate radio announcers. They are so corny, so I just want to avoid being the typical radio personality.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Learn how to do every aspect of the job. Lines are constantly blurred in today’s work environment, no matter the profession.
There are fewer specialized roles. Instead, the more you know how to do it, the more valuable you are. Of course, get what you’re worth but also make yourself indispensable.
Contact Info:
- Website: siriusxm.com/siriusxmu
- Instagram: instagram.com/jaronbf
- Twitter: twitter.com/jaronbf
- Youtube: youtube.com/mostlikelywebseries
