"Why keep shaving when I can have a werewolf fist on my face?"
-- Jason Miller
Jason Miller (@itsJasonMiller) was an intern at the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show (aka Elvis Duran and the Morning Zoo, aka the Elvis Duran Show, aka the number 1 syndicated radio morning show in the country) this past summer, and yes it's a show I am a fairly devout fan of. I went from a hater to a convert this past year, when I started to drive towork from time to time in the morning. I used to listen to this show all the time a long long time ago, when my brother would drive me places, and I hated it... Why? I can't possibly imagine now... it's a motley crew of characters, topics, and verbal mayhem, which is squarely up my alley.
Jason stood out from this year's cadre of interns at the show... mainly because he did a hilarious video series for elvisduran.com called The Intern Interview, and, he had an awesome beard... Though everyone on the show is talented in their own right, Jason is clearly the only one with any facial hair to speak of, definitely the most fierce.
Wanting to give a the beardo like him the spotlight he deserves, I reached out to the show to make an interview with the owner of The Double Goat (see photo below) happen. When I found Jason, he was back in Iowa, scratching his chin and still hoping that the male cast of the show would indulge him in a Beard-Off... so, c'mon Elvis, Skeery, TJ, et al PROVE IT!
Photo credit: Eric Miller1) Tell us about being an intern at the Elvis Duran Show, was it a Zoo?
Interning for Elvis Duran and The Morning Show was easily the most incredible experience I’ve had. It was such an amazing opportunity to work with best in the business and share my passion with them. Never a dull day and everyone has a blast working every day. I don’t think I can even call it work because it was just pure fun.
2) Is being on the radio a good pickup line still? Do you use it often? I’m sure Skeery Jones used it at least 5 times just today…
You honestly wouldn’t believe it but yea it definitely works. I’ve never flat out used it on purpose but when you are at a bar remote broadcasting live with headphones on and looking the part, girls definitely notice you. If anything it’s just an easier way to approach women at the bar and have a reason to talk to them. After that it’s more on your personality.
3) Do your stache hairs every get caught in the mic?
So far I’ve done a good job at keeping the beard out of the mic when it counts. But I would be lying if I said I haven’t rubbed my chin on the mic to see what it sounds like…
4) Is radio on the way out like sideburns or roaring back like the handlebar mustache?
Well I would have to say neither; it’s really just changing. Internet radio is becoming more prominent which is why they launched iHeartRadio. I think morning show formats are really what’s keeping traditional radio alive.
5) Do you think Elvis will look good with a beard, or a stache… maybe a nice Dali will suit him, or a chin strap?
I think Elvis would look great with beard! I think he should go for the Kimbo Slice / Rick Ross look. But I also think he could pull off a clean Fu Manchu.
6) We hear TJ has/had some gnarly body hair… would he grow the biggest beard on the show, should there be a challenge?
TJ does a great job at keeping it just under the stubble zone. But I see the potential for greatness. If anything I think Skeery would be the biggest competitor. I’m always down for a Beard-Off.
7) What was your favorite Intern Interview of the series you spearheaded for the show?
Oh boy that’s a tough one. All four interviews were different in subtle ways, which was really me trying out different things. I definitely loved the Greg T interview because it was the first one. Had a blast with Carla Marie, she was hilarious to work with. The Ronnie interview was mostly us goofing around and seeing what we came up with which was a riot. But my favorite one in terms of conducting the interview was Skeery. Only because he was the one person that would make me drop character and crack up. I think it was because I caught him so off guard with it that his reactions just got me. But end result wise I can’t say, I enjoy them all!
8) What’s with your career path: you’re been to college, went to the #1 syndicated radio show in the country HQd in the best city in the world, and then left for… Iowa? What gives?
Hahahaha well let me explain…Born and raised in Duluth Minnesota but I go to college in Des Moines Iowa where I also work at the radio station KISS 107.5. We broadcast Elvis in the mornings so that was really how I first was introduced to the morning show. I then landed my internship for the summer and unfortunately had to come back to finish my last year of school. Don’t worry I don’t plan on being in Iowa much longer…
9) What advice would you give the young kids reading this interview about starting a career in Radio or show business broadly?
Well what I would say for not just radio but most industries is get your foot in the door. At a younger age the easiest way is via internship. But interns come and go so you have to stand out from all the interns before you, the other possible interns you will be working with, and the interns they haven’t even had yet. You have to be doing the things no one else is doing and let your passion and hard work ethic shine above the rest. After that it’s all a matter of constantly pushing yourself and learning as much as you can. Ultimately it comes down to passion. You can teach people the skills and for the most part how to do things, but you can’t teach passion. So follow your dreams and never stop till you get where you want to be. Don’t be afraid to show it and people will start paying attention to your actions.
10) What advice would you give non bearded men looking to take the plunge and dive head first into facial hair growing.
Everyone knows coffee and whiskey are the keys to a face full of hair…but really if you aren’t gifted in full force beard growth abilities, then I would say grow what you can and stick with it. Everyone has a transitional phase where you start to look like a freak…you just have to be dedicated to getting it as full as possible and then deciding what look to best roll with.