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Radio 538 DJ Barend van Deelen: 'Don't doubt so much, it will be fine'

From a young age, Radio 538 DJ Barend van Deelen wanted nothing more than to be heard through every speaker in the Netherlands. Ten years later this dream became reality and Van Deelen played records at Radio Decibel, 3FM and Radio 538, among others. Now he still does this at the latter radio station and has several enterprises. Who pressed his 'On Air' lamp? Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Radio538

What was your very first side job?

"As a guppie, I started washing cars at the neighbors and continued my career by bringing the Scherpenzeel newspaper. I actually always worked, this because my family consists of many entrepreneurs and so I learned from home how much fun entrepreneurship is. With us in the family it's actually very simple: we basically can't do much more than dick well, so you either become a salesman or a radio DJ!"

Did you know from a young age then that you wanted to be a radio DJ?

"I was born into a fairly strict environment; in fact, I grew up in a Reformation family. That meant going to church twice on Sunday, no television and virtually no Internet. So I entered a pretty limited world in my younger years. But there was one thing I did have a huge familiarity with, which was listening to radio. Initially, I actually wanted to become a history teacher, but I soon abandoned this idea and from the age of thirteen focused on my real passion: making radio."

So how did you achieve this dream and end up in your current work?

"If you want something really badly, the rest will naturally follow. So I scoured every radio station and 'dropped a tape here and a demo there'. When I was eighteen I was playing at the local radio station and after that it actually went really fast! The following year I started at the Veronica Radioschool: a course that prepares a group of young talents for the profession. From this course I went to Radio Decibel, then to 3FM and from 3FM I ended up at Radio 538."

Since you came from a fairly strict environment: how did your parents feel about you entering "the big city" and the radio world?

"At the beginning of my career, this took some getting used to for my parents. It was really very sensitive. Especially the fact that I also had to work on Sundays and became more of a 'public property'. It also makes sense somehow, because everyone in this environment stays in the same pattern, so there was some surprise. However, I never felt crooked eyes and my parents are now prouder than ever of me."

Who was your wheelbarrow?

"I didn't have a wheelbarrow. Many facets of the radio business I have experienced myself partly thanks to practical experience. I did spar a lot with Rick Romijn, Edwin Evers' right-hand man, and of course I spent a lot of time with Ivo van Breukelen. I also had heroes in the past. For example, I looked up to Giel Beelen, Robert Jensen and Wessel van Diepen enormously."

Besides being a DJ, you also have several businesses. Tell!

"I have a business called Honest Sharing, which is an extension of radio making: voicing voice-overs, daytime hosting and event hosting. I also have the Supp Club with two companions and my own company REBELS RAMPAGE. The ultimate focus and energy boost with a nice flavor."

Does a Jack of all trades, but a master of none apply here?

"A day has 24 hours. In that, a person can do a lot. Radio is the most important thing. However, I don't rule out that one day I might take radio making to a lower level. But for that we have to play out radio first, and we are far from that point."

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

"Nothing like nattering and giving people a nice day with that. You can do that with both radio and business."

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

"As I told you before, my parents had some trouble with my career choice at first. An important moment in my life was when I was still at 3FM at the age of 27. My father had recorded a congratulatory message on station, of course I broke down at that moment. After all, the message was so beautiful! This was a tipping point in our relationship and for me a confirmation that what I was doing was right."

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

"Don't doubt so much, it will be fine. Before, this feeling of doubt was very intense. I was really on my own and had no safety net to fall back on. 'Just go' was is motto!

What would you like to change about the Dutch radio landscape?

"A lot. First of all, I want to tackle the way we broadcast advertising. Nowadays listeners are done with those endless commercial breaks. But how to do it differently? I haven't invented the egg of Columbus yet. Secondly: the horrible goodness of the Dutch media landscape has to go. I especially see some guts in the independent media people in this country."

Have you been a wheelbarrow for anyone?

"I'm always chasing young talent. When I look back at the artists who were with me first, including Lil Kleine, Snelle, Boef, Kraantje Pappie and Ronnie Flex, I've definitely been a wheelbarrow for those guys. Not that those guys wouldn't have gotten there without radio but it's still a beautiful thing when you see one of the above guys steal the show everywhere in recent years; they were with me first!"