Terri Hemmert

Born :

April 28, 1948

The music is huge. I consider it a privilege to do what I do, turn people on to music and tell them about issues.

music-is people

When I'm on the phone with a listener or I meet someone one-on-one, and they're on the lowest rung of hell and they open up, I realize, hey, this isn't about being a DJ anymore. When you're with people who are going through a difficult part of life, that's sacred space. That's better than any trophy or meeting a rock star.

hell realizing people

I like to tell the students the radio business's like surfing. You get knocked off your board by a wave, you get back up, stabilize, regain your balance and keep going. One thing I can guarantee them is that everything will change. You have to be ready for it. But that's life. Life constantly changes.

surfing balance students

Kids today are doing really hard work. Years ago they were involved in anti-apartheid protests. Now there's the whole Occupy movement. Kids are studying to work with handicapped children and so many other things.

hard-work kids children