Mara Davis
As a kid I’d spend hours listening to shows like American Top 40, Rock Over London and Dr. Demento. My dad would often say ”If you knew as much about schoolwork as you did music you’d be an A student”. I took that literally and focused on a career that I’d love. Radio.
After High School I went to Curry College which is just outside Boston. Once exposed to the college radio station WMLN I was hooked. Any show I could do I volunteered for it. I even tried out for the production director position but didn’t get the gig. I questioned why I wasn’t chosen and the radio director told me “you really aren’t cut out for this business, you may want to rethink your major”. This only motivated me to work harder and give college radio the finger.
That summer at home in Miami my mom encouraged me to get an internship. After calling all the radio stations in Miami Power 96 called back. I was in. That summer I worked in music research, promotions and answered phones for the DJ’s. When I went back to college I immediately got another promotions internship in Boston at WZOU-FM (now Jam’n) a Top 40 station. In my heart I wanted to be on air but it was a blast working in promotions.
When I graduated from Curry I got a job at Jam’n as the receptionist and promotions assistant. 2 years past and I loved my work but secretly always wanted to be on the air. I did a few part time overnight gigs at Kix 106 outside of Providence, RI (now Hot 106) and totally sucked—but it was an on air gig. One day I came into work at Jam’n and was told by my general manager that they were eliminating my position. At the time it was devastating but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to my career. I was able to get another job at Mix 98.5 in Boston as the morning show producer. Soon after a light bulb went off in my head. Why am I writing bits for someone else when I could do this myself? Remember the GM who fired me? His brother owned a station in Rochester, NY and I inquired about job openings. When he received my tape he said “You are a diamond in the rough. Come to Rochester now and you’ll be in a major market in a year”. So I went.
The station I worked at was WRQI-Rockit 95 and I did 7-midnight. Everyone thought I was crazy to go to Rochester but this was my chance. Eventually I got promoted to Music Director and then afternoon drive. After about a year I was ready to get out so I started to send out demo tapes. I eventually heard back from Atlanta. Z93 (now Dave) flew me in for an interview and I got the job. Exactly what the GM said would happen, happened. It was unbeliveable.
At Z93 I started doing 7p-11p. A few years later they moved me to mid-days where I eventually stayed for a really long time. There was a short period where I did mornings with Dunham. It was wonderful and I learned a lot. In 2003 Z93 changed the format to Dave-FM. I had to “re-audition” and was put back on the station. At first doing afternoons and then mid-day where I am now. I’ve been in Atlanta at the same station (basically) since 1994.
I love, love, love being on the radio and it never ever gets old for me. My job is a dream come true every day.
