Nathan James: Climbing radio’s Mount Everest with a dream of being a CD

Nathan James. Image supplied

If not for the generosity of people like Loren Barry, Nathan James may well have ended up in the hospitality industry instead of the radio industry.

Nathan – Announcer and Creative Writer at Edge FM 102.5 in Deniliquin – had never considered a career in radio.

“It always felt unobtainable, I suppose,” says Nathan. “For a large part of my high school years, I actually considered becoming a chef!”

But as Nathan tells Radio Today, meeting and speaking with Barry – co-host of the Hot Hits on SCA’s Hit Network – sparked a fire within him, instilling a belief that he could actually achieve something in radio.

Hailing from Belgrave in Melbourne’s scenic Dandenong Ranges, Nathan always enjoyed radio.

“My mum and I would listen to Gold 104.3 in the morning back when Brig and Lehmo were on air together, and the love of that show continued when Jo Stanley took over from Brig,” he remembers.

Despite his doubts about landing a job in media, Nathan was keen to give uni a crack. He applied for early entry into the Screen Production Course at Melbourne’s Swinburne University.

It marked a huge turning point in his life.

“I truly discovered myself and found my passion for radio there,” says Nathan.

“It took me about half a year at Swinburne to realise that radio was where I wanted to be in the media industry.”

“I owe a lot of thanks to Loren (pictured above with Hot Hits co-host Nic Kelly), who was kind enough to agree to a short film interview for a project I had.”

From there, Nathan immersed himself in SwinRadio, Swinburne’s student radio station.

“I learnt the basics of Zetta there and developed skills in live broadcasting, as well as an understanding of what it takes to put together a basic show.”

This led to opportunities with Vision Australia Radio and a work placement with ACE Radio, supported by Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) and Swinburne.

Just months after his Swinburne placement, Nathan secured a full-time job with ACE – a moment he’ll never forget.

“To be honest, it felt very gratifying,” Nathan says. “I knew the work I put in was good, and I felt as though I had left a meaningful impression on the people I had met on placement.”

That’s not to say it didn’t come as an almighty shock.

“One minute, I’m going about my day as a student, then suddenly I’m packing up my whole life to move to a new state.”

“But those sorts of opportunities are so rare in life; you really have to seize them.”

“I still remember the feeling of getting the email saying I had secured the position. I haven’t climbed Mount Everest but, I could imagine the feeling of realising all that work I’ve put in has paid off in such a life-changing way is similar.”

Nathan’s achievements come as no surprise to senior Swinburne Media and Communications lecturer Peter Marcato, who tells Radio Today “Nathan has always shown he’s passionate about getting into the industry. He volunteered to help run our on-campus radio station, working behind and in front of the mic.”

“In addition to this, he networked around the industry and built great contacts. He was one of the first students to receive a CRA/Swinburne Regional Radio Placement Grant, which landed him in an ACE station where he was noticed. He even drove up from Melbourne to attend his job interview in person. This shows the drive and passion Nathan has for the industry, which will see him go far.”

Equally impressed is ACE Group Content Director Mat Cummins, who describes Nathan as a brilliant young man.

And every day at ACE brings with it a different adventure.

“It’s a bit of a radio cliché, but no two days are the same,” says Nathan. “I think everyone in this industry partially thrives off chaos; we’re sort of addicted to it.”

Of those who’ve played a central role in his radio journey, Nathan says “First and foremost, I owe the vast majority of my success to Peter Marcato at Swinburne.”

“I have genuinely never met someone so selfless and fully dedicated to helping someone else succeed; I simply wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”

Nathan says Keegan Scilini, his current Content Director, has been a pillar of guidance.

“His patience and knowledge have helped me better myself in so many ways.”

“I have nearly the whole ACE Radio family to thank as well, specifically Mat Cummins and my GM Ange Parker, for giving me the opportunity to work in my dream career!”

“I also owe a massive thank you to Loren Barry; she opened the door to finding my passion and has always supported me and been in my corner.”

Nathan has his sights set on one day becoming a Content Director.

“I would love that opportunity,” he enthuses.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the inner workings of the industry and being a part of that has to be my dream.”

“The idea of being asked ‘How do we make a better product?’ and then working on that within a team is my be-all and end-all, really.”

Images supplied.