Saying Bye to the Tallest DJ in America

I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but as I sit and write this, it's hard to not as I remember the past three years working with one of the biggest role models I've known to grow and love.

I've been listening to ZooFM since I was a kid...Yeah, seriously I was probably 10 when I first turned on 107.5. I wasn't old enough to let the music resonate, but I knew I loved the voice on the other end. I would call everyday hoping to request the lamest song known to man (which at the time was probably Gold Digger, My Humps, or Run It!). If he answered, which for some reason I was scared that he would, but still thought it was so cool when he would say "Now a request from Sarah during your 5 o'clock traffic jam..." You get the idea. Little did I know, I would come to know this person very well, interview him for school, work with him, and grow with him as an individual, all while watching him grow as a person, too.

Not going to lie, I was terrified of him when I first started working at Townsquare Media. To me, he was the biggest celeb I had ever met, let alone work with. At the time, I technically wasn't even working with him...I was just a little intern who dreaded even the thought of even having to say "Hi" in the hallway. Yes, to me he was that big of a deal.

Soon thereafter I had to conquer my fear and finally speak to him. I couldn't tell you exactly what our first conversation was, but it was probably something like "How tall are you actually?" or "What was that song you played a few minutes ago?" I know, it wasn't anything super exciting, but it got the job done. I remember a particular time when Sir Mix-a-Lot was performing and it was the first time I actually was sitting in studio with him as he was interviewing Sir Mix-a-Lot and thinking wow, he has probably the coolest job ever. I mean, right? Baby got back!

Time went by and Aaron figured out I was in a sorority on campus. Zoo was running a Greek life competition at the time and wanted to know more, so we continued to crack down on what exactly was the buzz with campus, student life, Greek life, you know, that kind of thing. I was later hired on with our sister-news station KGVO, but spoke with Aaron time to time as to the 'haps on campus.

It was a few months later that Aaron first asked me to try a little voicetracking with ZooFM. As if you couldn't tell how intimidated I was of him already, you can imagine how terrified I was when he later told me how he has been listening to my news cuts and complimenting me on my voice--let alone wanting to give me a shot on the #1 Top 40 station in Missoula. Talk about a panic. Now for those of you who aren't familiar, getting such a compliment may sound like a weird thing (Oh my gosh, I love your voice, let's utilize it! Yeah, I get it. It's weird). But he was super chill about it, while I was standing the farthest away I possibly could from him...shaking...but also pretending I was totally fine. I wasn't. I was starstruck and confused as to why this huge guy wanted me on his already-successful station. Someone was playing a joke on me for sure.

Now, don't get me wrong. This isn't about my journey here, as that is still growing, I like to think. But Aaron is a big deal. And I was finally conquering my fear and breaking down barriers I never thought I would be able to do. Aaron helped me break out of my shell, become more confident and grow as an individual every week and he took the time out of his already-busy, jam-packed day to work with me and improve myself on air, and as a person. I think that's fair to say isn't it?

I continued to work with Aaron a lot more as he added me on to the weekend show and Zoo became an all-local station (aside from Elvis and Popcrush, BUT STILL COUNTS). We continued to pick each others brain about what would be best for the station, what the demo wants and how we could all grow as a team coming from my campus perspective. I had never had that kind of rapport in a professional workplace before (as this has been my second job, ever, no joke) and we continued to improve as the record books showed.

Progress continued book to book, month to month, when Aaron stepped into the news studio about a month ago and told me his wonderful news. As tears welled up in my eyes, he said it wasn't goodbye yet, but just another growing opportunity, for the both of us, really. I agreed, and he left reminding me that we still had time for goodbyes.

Moral of the story, Aaron has taught me more than just how to get better at a job he is already a professional at. He's taught me that no obstacle is tall enough to climb. Smile, no matter how shitty of a day you're having. Dance your butt off to any beat--and make sure you blast that bass. And no dream is too big to achieve, as he is a walking example of such a thing.

A lot of times, I like to think that people always receive the credit they are due. Aaron has won numerous awards within Missoula and the northwest. He's one of Missoula's biggest icons (literally and figuratively), and a person many of us will never forget. But he's also overcome many struggles, obstacles and battles within himself to get him to where he is today that I think a lot of people don't come to realize.

It's kind of ironic...I saw him post this status on his Facebook page the other day...A quote that said:

It doesn't matter how many people don't get it. What matters is how many people do.

Aaron you are an inspiration, a role model, a husband, a dad, and most importantly, a friend. I cannot wait to see where the rest of your life takes you and what bigger things like around the corner. Thank you for allowing me the honor and privilege of stepping into the life of the Tallest DJ and learning from the best. I wish you well, my friend. Cheers to you.