Rock Radio - By Lisa Wainland Page 0,10
Dana Hill would ever be.
Her passion fueled her drive to become Dana Drew, the girl with the answer for everything. This bravado gave her the guts at eighteen to march into a local Program Director’s office while she was in college and fudge her way through an interview. Whether he bought her creatively written resume or not, he liked her attitude and gave her a weekend shift (albeit a night shift) on the spot. Attractive, talented and gutsy were a successful mix for a female jock, and she had it.
Dana came up in radio when the new decade began. Loud colored clothing was replaced by plaid button down shirts. Glam rock was edged out by grunge. Nirvana and Pearl Jam brought a new energy to the music world. Dana loved it all.
When her small town radio station changed formats and went classical, she moved on a whim to Miami and got a job as a board-op for a local radio talk show host who broadcast every Sunday morning. She missed being on the air, but Miami was big time and she was willing to wait out an opportunity. It didn’t take long. Dana’s drive and personality helped her gradually work her way up to an overnight shift, a weekend shift and then a full time job doing evenings on WORR. This was major market rock radio.
They were now nearing the end of the nineties and Dana was at the top of her game.
Dana acted like rock’s princess, but at twenty-nine, she really just wanted to be married with kids. She loved her career, but it was just that, a career. For years she had tunnel vision. As the only female on staff she had to work twice as hard and twice as long. The hours didn’t bother her, the double standard did. Time and again, she watched new jocks, male jocks, get hired as she was passed up for another on air shift. But she was undeterred. This was her dream and she was determined to succeed no matter what it took. And she did.
Recently, though, the blinders came off. Her internal clock had begun a slow tick. She realized she didn’t want to be a deejay forever. She wanted to be a wife and mother. Few people saw this side of her. Few knew Dana Hill was as vulnerable as Dana Drew was tough.
That’s what made Sam so special. He was unlike anyone she had ever dated. He knew Dana Hill before Dana Drew...he knew her hopes, her dreams and her fears. They rented movies on Saturday nights and took drives to the beach. He didn’t expect her to be constantly witty and clever like all the others did. Their relationship was wonderful, and after six months, Sam moved in.
But nothing in Dana’s life ever lasted forever.
Over time, Sam grew tired of Dana’s crazy schedule. She was on the air from six to ten Monday through Friday. He worked from nine to five, so they rarely saw each other. She’d get home just as he was going to bed. Weekends were no better. Dana often had appearances or remotes so her time was limited. Sometimes Sam would come with her on the weekends and hang out in the background in an effort to spend more time together, but he hated seeing her acting flirty with the guys who’d show up.
“It’s just an act,” Dana explained time and time again, but that wasn’t good enough for Sam.
And last night it all came to a head.
“Sam, I told you, it doesn’t mean anything. I’m playing a part.”
“I know, but I don’t like to see it.”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t come with me then. It’s okay,” she steadied her voice. “I don’t need you to be at the remotes with me. We’ll make time elsewhere. I promise.”
“That’s just it Dana, you don’t need me. You got your whole Dana Drew thing going. I feel like Mr. Drew.” He raked his hands through his hair and began to pace.
Dana could feel where this was heading. “Sam, c’mon, you know you mean so much to me.” Her heart was breaking inside.
“Dana,” he sighed. “I do love you, but we barely see each other.” He looked her straight in the eyes.
“Sammy, I love you, too.” Dana twirled her raven hair. “We can make this work.” She walked toward him and put her hand on his arm. She could feel his body stiffen and saw his eyes darken.
“You know, I used to think we could, but we