Rock journalist Jim Villanueva displays "calling cards"

“I wanted to emphasize following your passion,” said Jim Villanueva.

Villanueva, an independent radio producer, told Newspapers 2 students Tuesday that his radio career started with an unpaid volunteer stint.  Within several months, he said, KLOS hired him, for $4.25 an hour.

Next?  Howard Gelman hired him to produce a classic-rock interview show for Global Satellite Network.  Villanueva said George Harrison was the first featured guest he worked with.  “I knew then it was a cool job,” Villanueva said.

Today?  Villanueva has his own production company, Current Classics.  He also works for a national syndication company.

“A personal mantra of mine, what I call the three P’s,” Villanueva said.  “Passion–follow it.  Persistence…ask questions.  (And) the hardest one…Patience.  It will not happen for you overnight.”

First, a feature story doesn’t have to follow the inverted-pyramid format!  (I’d always thought I was doing it wrong!)

Second–everybody’s scared about making initial contacts.   Hearing Kate say that dispelled the misconception that there is a Brotherhood of Fearless Journalists somewhere!

Can’t wait to get started!