10 Questions with Danny O’Grady

Southern Cross Austereo’s Danny O’Grady has is fast approaching 10 years in radio. He’s gone from panel op to Senior Audio producer in just a few years.

He’s voice over artist and has mentored ‘up and comers’ at the Radio Training Institute.

He answers 10 Questions from Radio Today.

What is the Danny O’Grady story?

Born and raised hard knock from Alice Springs. Moved to Adelaide for university – finished a sound engineer after dabbling in Psychology & English.

Started my radio career at Nova Adelaide in 2009 as a panel op/production assistant now senior audio producer in commercials at Fox FM/Triple M.  

Also, lectured on audio & voice acting at the soon to be defunct Radio Training Institute in Melbourne. Sad times.

How did you get your start in radio?

In 2009 I had to interview a professional sound engineer as part of the course I was doing at Adelaide Uni. I shot off 15 emails, one person replied – it was the generous and legendary Eddie Bye of Nova/FiveAA fame. Eddie opened the door and I didn’t let him close it.

What have you learned along the journey?

Pass. It. On. There are no secrets when it comes to skill sharing. Irrespective of your role, ability or area of expertise – share your knowledge and you’ll enhance yourself, your colleagues and the industry as a whole.

You worked with Hamish & Andy as an audio producer, what was that like?

As good as it gets – it’s the only show where you’re never clutching to make a promo.

Have you had that ‘OMG’ moment where you have to pinch yourself?

I had to pinch my nose when, in the name of science, Andy sniffed a fart released by Hamish so as to determine what he had eaten for lunch that day. It was fish and chips.

Shout out time: has there been anyone person who has inspired you along the way?

Hit Network Imaging Producer – Jerimiah Busniak. He wore skater shoes into his late twenties and his promos make me clap.

Any advice to anyone who may be thinking about a career in radio?

Understand what role in a station your personality and skill set will be most suited to. A radio course or community station will reveal this to you – not your friends or your mum.

You can think you have announcer chops but your organisation skills may exceed your story telling ability – try show producing.

At the Radio Training Institute, many students would adjust their career direction after being exposed to the variety of roles in a station and the specific talents they test.

If you weren’t working in radio, what do you think you’d be doing?

Sinking tinnies of VB in the Alice Springs sun – sweltering and content.

Dinner party time: you invite 5 people to a dream dinner party, who’d get a seat at the table?

The Beatles and George Martin

Sum up working in radio in three words (if you can)

It gets better

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Jerimiah Busniak
30 May 2018 - 11:46 am

Thanks for the shoutout dickhead – you spelt my name wrong and I almost stopped reading after the line “hard knock from Alice Springs”

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