Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
My name is Reggie Edwards and I’m editor of The Front Row Report. I’ve been running the site for four years now.
I started in 2009 when I was writing for the Indiana Statesman newspaper at Indiana State University. I wrote for them for 2 years as a staff reporter in news, features, entertainment and sports. I was also News Editor, Features Editor, Page Designer and photographer.
I have also worked as a writer for HM Magazine and the Mt. Pleasant News in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
What drove you to choose your career path?
When I was working at the Indiana Statesman newspaper, I covered a few concerts that came through Terre Haute. That’s when I realized this is something I could really do.
How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?
When I finished at Indiana State University, I went back home to Iowa for a little bit and the market for journalism jobs is really limited out there. That’s when I decided to really go headfirst into the music side. I wanted to keep my writing on a good level while I was looking for a newspaper job and then The Front Row Report just kept growing. It snowballed from there.
As far as education, it really varies with what you want to go into. If I would have gone into newspapers, I would have needed a full degree. With The Front Row Report, what I’m looking for with new writers and photographers is experience, knowledge of what you’re covering, desire and passion to do the work as well as a professional work ethic.
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
The majority of my time is spent going through emails, listening to music to review, communicating with my writing staff and planning out content. The biggest majority of my time is spent writing.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
That it’s all glamorous and hanging out with rock stars all the time. That, and assuming this is my actual job. I do this because it’s my passion and my dream. I love what I do but there’s very little money in it- if any at all. Do I get to meet the bands I love? Sure. How much of my job is that? Maybe 10% of it. Most of my job is listening to stuff that needs reviewed and writing. People also don’t understand how time consuming it really is.
What are your average work hours?
That varies from week to week. I honestly can’t put a number on it- let’s just say infinite. My work never ends and there’s always something that needs done.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
For me, I don’t post anything on weekends unless it’s a HUGE, breaking story. I work Monday-Friday, just like a regular job. I cover shows on weekends and I do some writing, but as far as posting, I do all of that during the week. If you work 7 days a week and work 24/7, you’ll go crazy and get burned out. You have to take a break and that’s what I do. Sure, I’ll do emails on weekends and holidays, but that’s about it.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
I’m not entirely sure how everyone else runs their publications, I can only answer to how I run my own show.
Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?
Shoot me an email. I’ll cover just about anything if I think it fits.
What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
The burn out. When festival season hits every May-July, it can be extremely exhausting. The first year or two was the hardest since it was solely me running everything. I got lucky enough to have a few other writers come on in the last few years and they’ve really helped. When things get overloaded, I just organize it all and figure out who’s gonna cover what.
What's the most enjoyable part of the job?
I get to truly live out my dream. Bands or artists that I either grew up listening to or that I’ve loved for years, I get to photograph them or interview them. I live for the live concert experience. It’s an adrenaline rush that you can’t really explain or get anywhere else.
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
I think we all know by now that there’s not a lot of money to be made when it comes to running an online music site. We make some, but not a lot. It all really depends on what area of journalism you go into.
How do you move up in your field?
For The Front Row Report, if you put in the time, effort, work and do a good job with it, I’ll move you up. If you want it, you’ll get it. With me, you just have to prove yourself over time and I’ll move you on up.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Make sure it’s something you really love. If you don’t love it and have a passion for it, you won’t last long and you won’t get much out of it. You get what you put into it. The harder you work and the better work you do, you’ll get noticed. You have to be patient too, but if you are and you’re dedicated enough, it will pay off in the long run.