Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Dopson.
Hi Casey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, how this came to be? So I have always been into sports, as well as entertainment. My journey dates back to when I walked across the stage accepting my diploma when a coach at my high school said. ‘I’m going to hear you on the radio one day.’ Coach Cummings, oddly enough, had never coached me in any sport. He knew me around the school as the center of attention because of the lack of a better term. So, from his words and my overall desire to be around the business, I pursued it. The only thing is, I began my pursuit some 20 years after his inspirational speech, if you will. See, life just happened. I was never really one to enjoy school, and the college scene didn’t hit me. I was also pursuing a dream of being in a band. So my focus was there. Then, the ‘real life’ came at me in the form of my first child. So, instead of pursuing any of the ‘dreams.’ I decided to leave ‘never-land’ and become a cog, if you will, of society. I went to a law enforcement academy.
Then, I became a deputy—6 years as a law enforcement officer. Then, life continued to happen. I took a brief stint in the retail world. Here is where the dream circles back. While working, I would listen to the local sports talk radio station (1010xl/92.5fm). Almost religiously, I would tune in. The moment I started my vehicle, the station was on. While stocking can goods one day, that’s more accurate than you may think. I heard an ad for an internship with the station. Only a little information was given; email your information if you want to intern here. That seemed easy enough.
So, I followed those easy steps. The program director, Tom Friendly, contacted me a few days later. Trust me, the name fits; it’s the friendliest guy I have ever met. The interview was rather formal, and one specific detail stood out to me on the day of the interview: I was by far the oldest interviewee in the room, by a decade, plus to all the other candidates. I immediately felt like this was a bad thing. Not so; however, Tom was rather excited about what I had experienced in life. Once he explained what I was interning for, he also explained that my law enforcement background might be helpful. See, the interns were asked to be ‘hype-men (or women)’ for the station, mainly on game day for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The patrons can sometimes be slightly aggressive. I never would have thought that the prospect of a free t-shirt or golf towel would be the undoing of an otherwise respectable individual.
The internship proved very rewarding, mainly because of the people I met. But it also gave me a chance to shine. I wanted to show the fans of the station and the owners that I could entertain a crowd, even in the blistering summer heat. This acknowledgment by the ones with power afforded me the opportunity for a paid position just several months after the season had ended. I had the same responsibilities; I had another limb in the door just now. I maintained the role for 4 years, even through the pandemic. As my years of experience grew, I did as well. I was picking up just a few pieces of the business along the way. I then mustered up the courage one day and asked the General Manager of the station, Steve Griffin, for a more significant role. He was hesitant at first; where could he put me?
I had no real experience doing anything on the radio. But he gave me a shot at the board. The board is where the fundamental aspect of live radio happens. Make a mistake on the board, and it’s bye-bye. The pressure was thick. It was the shortest training course of any job I have ever been given, 2 weeks. Seriously, 2 weeks. Then the call from Steve came. He put me on the board solo. Live radio, no one there. Just me. To say I had knots in my stomach is a vast understatement. The trial, by far, was survived by yours indeed.
The opportunities came in small waves for the months to follow. Then, the offer for my weekend production finally came. I would be producing for the Sunday pre-game show. What an honor. Again, this is another opportunity for me. In addition, I met a real rising star in the business—a co-host of the show, Mia O’Brien. Mia was helping move the station into a new era. She was showing the old hats, the way of the new Jedi, also known as the younger crowd of listeners.
Video stimulation is now the new norm—an area where I might be able to shine again. So I met with Mia one day. She was introduced to the idea of me attending local schools and participating with various student-athletes. The idea would be to have the students educate me on their specific roles within their sport. Then, I would attempt to take a crack at it. She loved the concept and, after a brief meeting with the grand master, Steve. They greenlighted it.
My new career is as a mail carrier. Now, I am four and a half years into that career. I say the mailman career because Mia had one caveat to the green light. Find your cameraman. The resources were limited. So, I contacted a fellow mailman: a friend, David Orsi. I knew David to be a former professional photographer. I didn’t wrestle with the vast differences between videography and photography. He did, but briefly. Then we were off. We also had to invest in the editing program as well. That, too, was being tackled by David.
The series is almost wrapped up. The original agreed-upon episode number was 10. We have had the privilege and honor of meeting exceptional student-athletes, coaches, and staff from our first episode, where I learned about Lacrosse from Ponte Vedra’s varsity team to hanging out and playing flag football with a group of I.D. (Intellectually Disabled) youths. I’ve been taught how to pitch a softball by Grace Jones of Episcopal and protect the goal from Anthony Hernandez of Stetson College Prep. I couldn’t be more thankful for those who gave me a chance—the chance to shine my light and allow others to shine theirs. If my walk through this life has taught me one thing, it is this. It’s all going by so fast; make sure you slow down and meet the people in it.
P.S. I have it on good authority that we are set to launch season 2. I can not wait.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, The road has not been paved with the smoothest of concrete. Between the hot summer days, in the middle of almost a parking lot, i.e., the inside of the Jaguars stadium, The polite drunkards at the pregame festivities. To the sometimes long nights at the station, doing the late-night shows, if you will. The graveyard shift to miss out on my own two sons’ activities. My youngest is in karate and band, and my oldest is in wrestling. My wife and I have had to place several things on hold when the station needs to be filled. The scheduling with coaches can be nauseating between David and his work, my work, the students’ availability, and the coaches’ availability. Trying to get several people on the same page can be aggravating. The editing process can be challenging as well. You find that outdoor sports present several factors, such as whether other teams are practicing. The volume alone can not be correct, and you may have to piece together enough to get the full scope of what you’re trying to do from the not-best shots. Indoor sports can be too loud; again, it presents an editing nightmare.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a part-time radio producer for 1010xl/92.5fm in Jacksonville, FL. I am the producer for several shows on the radio station, ranging from shows about Lacrosse to Fishing. I produce more variety of shows than any other producer at the station. Therefore, I must always be opinionated about shows and what they cover. Hosts often call on producers to add their opinions to a particular conversation. I am best known for a Saturday morning show called Compton and Company. I generate poll questions via Twitter or X and musical content for the show. We discuss a variety of different local and national sports. I am also a content creator for the station. So, I am seen and not just heard as a representative for the station. I create my content and participate with the listeners in various activities.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
I suggest observing all the little details as much as possible. Something as simple as knowing where the music is inside a program can be helpful. I wish that I knew more about the sports world. I am so disconnected from past players or games played and their outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showmesomethingnewgan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShowMeSomethingNewgan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeGotSomethingHere
Image Credits
Shannon Whitaker Photography. Instagram and Facebook @shannonwhitaker
