ENTERING TALK RADIO QUESTION: I am in desperate need of advice. I am 36 years old and currently work as a program director at a country station. I have worked in radio for 20 years, mainly as a jock for all types of formats. My present job is an "okay" gig, but its not where I want to be in 10 years, nor has it been my dream to be a country jock all my life. I have always wanted to work in talk radio. I have sent out some airchecks, but I usually get no response. It seems that the main qualifications to be a talk radio host these days are to have a criminal record, be an ex politician, or be an ex sports star, of which I am not any. So, my question is....What do I have to do to break into this part of the business? I am at a loss, and any advice or suggestions you can offer will be deeply appreciated. DAN REPLIES: Why don't you volunteer to create & host a Sunday public affairs show, during which you interview a weekly guest and take whatever phone calls might possibly come as a result? This will enable you to get some practice and compile tape to send out to talk stations. Or, as you point out, you could commit a crime and then wait for the talk stations to come courting.