Today we’d like to introduce you to Davi Crimmins.
Davi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in Pensacola, Florida but quickly left the sandy beaches when my parents bought a farm in West Virginia. I grew up tending to horses, chickens, buffalo, rabbits, ducks, geese, and even two monkeys. When I was 16 years old, I moved to Atlanta for a better theatre program. Throughout high school and college, I worked as an actor, an entertainer with the Dames Aflame, and became a studio intern and voiceover talent for 99X, a local alternative rock station. I began hosting burlesque shows, writing comedic short stories & scripts, and with these experiences, I gained the confidence for the standup stage.
My radio internship turned into a position with Cumulus Media as a scriptwriter, voiceover artist, audio editor, and producer, while also hosting an on-air show on 99X. After a few years playing behind the scenes producer and lending personal stories, I was promoted to Co-Host at The Bert Show. That’s where I really learned the strength and beauty that grows from being vulnerable and authentic with your audience. Although the late nights telling jokes can make it difficult – cracking the mic at 6 am every weekday morning has made me officially a “morning person”!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. Radio and comedy is still a bit of a boys club. It wasn’t easy to get my foot in the door and be taken seriously anywhere. I had to learn and train my voice to match what each station wanted for their vibe. I had to learn that sometimes when they announce a female comic’s name people will use that time to go to the bar and talk. I had to learn not to take any rejections personally and stay confident in my craft.
Someone said, “You can be the sweetest peach in the land but you’ll always find someone that doesn’t like peaches.” Not everyone is going to care about your personal struggles. Not everyone is going to “get” your sense of humor. And Social Media adds a new element to radio where you don’t just get trolled for your voice anymore, but your looks. With keeping a balanced morning show, we all have to have opinions and be prepared to debate them. I find that some people still have a hard time accepting strong, vocal women. Developing a thick skin and an extreme amount of compassion was essential for filtering through the negativity in my email/DMs at times. I’m wise enough to know that the point of existence is not to Look Nice but to BE Nice. So, I am able to concentrate every morning on making the drive to work more fun for all of our Bert Show syndicated cities.
I’ve lost count of the auditions that never called, gigs that didn’t pay, clubs that never emailed back, and lost invites and opportunities due to my weird hours. I’ve lost friends and family that oppose me being so open with my personal life on-air. But, thankfully, over time I’ve lost the ability to focus on the small issues trying to hold me back and concentrate on sharing my talents. It’s important to remain steadfast in your drive and reaching your goals no matter who or what is standing in your way.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m the girl who wears many hats! I’m the jokester of The Bert Show studio. I’m known for my relatable gullibility & inappropriate edginess & quirky randomness. When I’m not on-air you can find me editing audio, running the board, interviewing listeners on the street, sitting in on the Entertainment Buzz or entertaining our studio guests. If you couldn’t already tell – I like to keep busy! I’m honored and proud to be making Atlanta and 22 other markets giggle in the mornings.
As of 2019, I’m especially proud of two things; to be headlining my first comedy tour through our syndicated markets and to have been voted Atlanta’s Best Radio Personality from the A-Scene Awards!
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
– Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.
– You own everything that has ever happened to you. Tell your story.
If people wanted you to speak well of them, then they should have behaved better.
– Pay NO attention to those that don’t clap when you’re winning. They’re not worth your time. We don’t make a pit stop at PETTY on our way to success.
– Love your body not for what it looks like – but what it can accomplish. Take care of it because you only get one. And for the love of all things holy: STAY HYDRATED & STRETCH EVERYDAY.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davicrimmins/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnAirDavi/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaviCrimmins
Image Credit:
Tim Redman, James Curtis Barger
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