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If you were to tune the radio in the border region of Las Cruces, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas to 102.1 on any given day, they’ll hear the voice of a Latina pumping the sound waves. Monica Castillo is barely 24, a college student, but already she has become a recognizable voice-name combo on the popular hip hop radio station - Power 102. In her own words, Monica Castillo started out as a 'radio groupie' for her favorite station. This self-admitted groupie was first exposed to the radio scene by visiting Djs at public appearances and calling nonstop every time there was a listener question on the radio.
This avid listener quickly landed an internship with the station. And it paid off pretty fast leading to an on-air position. While most DJs have to wait until they’re out of college and seasoned to get on the air. Her persistence, and determination are what placed her on the air now as a DJ on Friday and Sunday nights without even a degree in electronic media. The three-year veteran for the popular station is getting ready to graduate this semester.
It was at the university, Castillo said, where a short stint as the campus mascot “Paydirt Pete” at the football games, helped her become the out-going person that she transfers to her on-air personality. Still, Castillo insists, regardless of whether one is out-going or not, no one should be afraid of seeking out their dreams no matter what anyone says. She’s so tall it should be intimidating, but instead it just feels like it’s a hug with that-much-longer arms. “Conversate with me,” she laughs inviting listeners to join the discussion.
Although one might expect Castillo to remain loyal to the station she works for, the DJ is open about listening to Power 102’s competitor radio station and even bold enough to greet the other station’s hosts were she to run into them. Castillo said she is fully aware that “competition is competition.”
And as for tips for girls trying to get into radio, Monica admits it’s a pretty crazy field. Castillo has managed to succeed in an industry notorious for being tainted with alcohol and drug abuse. “It is an aggressive industry, very intense, male-dominated. It is so hard to get in. But once you are in, you can learn everything.” She says she likes being able to be another person on the air, and she can’t stress enough that if you do want to get in, you should. “Everyone can do it. Do it because you love it. Don’t do it for the money. You have to like to entertain.”
So what’s next in the frontier of Monica Castillo? The future’s a clean slate and the sky’s the limit. Maybe DJ-ing, but she’s keeping her options open. The 24-year-old recently blogged on the station’s site, www.KPRR.com, that said she may go into event-planning with her Public Relations degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. “People love to talk when you can’t see them,” Monica shares, which may explain why she is such a huge hit.
January 2010
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