Monday, Oct. 08, 2007

Faith & Big B

This wise-cracking, brother-sister-like duo have been burning up the radio station every morning from 5-9 A.M. on 98.3 The Key for the past five years.

Faith Martin, a local icon, couldn't ask for more to do in the mornings.

Big B on the other hand, actually could.

"Getting up is the hardest part," B said. "If I could do this at 10 in the morning to like noon everyday, this would be the ultimate best job."

And what a job it is. In fact, their whole show is one big joke most of the time - and not the sleeze-on-the-corner kind of joke. It's one laugh fest after another filled with witty banter and impromptu hilariousness.

"When I first started, it was like candy," B recalls. "I couldn't sleep at night because I couldn't wait to get in here."

Martin, who has been in the radio business for more than 16 years, has been at 98.3 The Key for the past 10. Her soothing voice coo's into the mic every morning with a likeness to that of a goddess. Listen to the radio and you're bound to pick out her distinct vocals in commercials and local advertisements.

"I kind of fell into radio when I was 18, and it always worked for me," she shared. "When I first started in radio, we used to do records and the big LPs."

Aside from everything going digital and no longer using reel-to-reel contraptions, Faith and Big B in the morning find something new to discuss everyday for their morning show.

"We get here anywhere from 4:45 to 5 a.m. and we go through news stories to things online," she explains about their daily routine. "Then we just kind of sit back and chit chat with the listeners."

More importantly, listeners get to sit back and hear the two DJs playfully make fun of each other, talk about their personal lives, and approach serious topics.

"I like that people depend on us to wake up," B said. "We're like a cup of coffee without the harsh chemical, acidy, reflux."

After their shift is over at 9 a.m., they are still just getting started. Recording future voice segments and announcements, they stay in the studio for a couple hours before heading off to their other jobs. Martin DJs midday for 97.5 COOL FM, and sings in the three-year-old band The Shades, while B does guest appearances and is heavily involved with charity work - despite people believing he is a big jerk.

"It's theater of the mind," he explains. "The one thing I don't think a lot of people understand about radio is that it's a job and it is a theater of the mind and it is a little bit of acting and people take everything I say so literally and I'm here for comedy value. Some people just absolutely hate me. I'm not that person; I'm a nice person but this is a job and it's fun... and it's fun to act like a jerk."

If B does go off the deep end on a topic, Martin is there to reign him back in. She is the voice of reason and an advocate for women, while B is there to ask edgy questions and stir things up.

"This is the funnest job I've ever had; it's also the most rewarding job I've ever had," B said. "I have a degree in orthotics and prosthetics and I was an environmentalist and did a lot of chemical engineering work and I can help so many people doing this job. Even if I knock on everybody's door I could not talk to as many people about the positive things going on in our community as I can right here and that's the part that I love this job about. I'm able to help a little bit more."

As much fun as they have together, Martin acknowledges that without the listeners, none of it would be possible. With more than a decade of experience under her belt, Martin continues to exude humility.

"We wanna thank our listeners; they've enabled us to have a job for so long," she shared. "Without them we wouldn't have a job. We totally appreciate you guys listening and keeping our mornings going and having fun with us."

Big B on the other hand...

"I like free stuff," he jokes. "You can only win so much by calling in. If you work here, you can take it directly out of the drawer. Just slip over there when nobody's watching and grab the tickets or whatnot... slip 'em in your shirt..."