By Epiphany Communications & Coaching*
During his popular podcast Jason Carr Drive!, Jason Carr focuses on positive topics, steering clear of politics or anything divisive. “Topics center on the nostalgia of growing up here and calling Metro Detroit home,” said Carr, “but more specifically the importance of shopping local independent retailers and brands. I don’t think I could get through one episode without talking about something MIRA-related.”
Jason Carr Drive! is a MIRA-sponsored weekday talk show hosted on Facebook Live every morning at 9 a.m. and in the evenings at 9 p.m. called OVERdrive. Carr focused on shopping locally before he knew about MIRA.
He has broadcasted his show from MIRA member businesses and will continue to look for opportunities to host remote broadcasts at MIRA member establishments.
At the MIRA Chairman’s Dinner in May, where Carr was the Master of Ceremonies, Bobby Hesano, MIRA Chairman, announced his goal to double the MIRA membership. “And just like the Chairman’s goal of doubling MIRA membership, I have a goal of expanding Jason Carr Drive! to other social platforms and media partners. Stay tuned!”
Carr noted how his childhood was rooted in all things local. “My parents bought my BMX bike in 1982 from a bike shop in Northville, my Intellivision video game console from Adray Appliance in 1980, and my Big Boy burgers with extra sauce from Elias Brothers throughout my childhood,” said Carr. “We saw movies at the Penn Theater, ate halibut fish ‘n’ chips at Sutherland’s, and bowled at Plaza Lanes and Super Bowl— all locally owned and operated. Supporting local businesses and brands is in my DNA. I’m very proud to not just ‘talk the local talk but walk the local walk,’ to this day.”
Carr first met MIRA President & CEO, Bill Wild, when he was Mayor of Westland; he hosted Mayor Wild many times during his tenure as a Detroit TV talk show host. “We had an easygoing banter as host and guest, and he was among the first people I thought to reach out to when looking for sponsors for Jason Carr Drive! said Carr. “As it turns out, that same connection has proven to be mutually beneficial for MIRA and my “mom ‘n’ pop” livestream. I consider him not just an advertiser, but a friend.”
Carr has had a successful 30-year career in broadcasting and is still going strong. “I am eternally grateful to have had a colorful, rewarding and never-boring broadcast career,” said Carr. “Too much to get into for this article, but they say if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life. And I’ve had very few ‘work’ days over almost three decades.”
A significant part of what MIRA does is collaborate with others, and Carr agrees that collaboration is key. “I had the good fortune (and God’s blessings) to host two top-rated talk shows consecutively on two different Detroit TV stations— the first such shows since Kelly & Company went off the air a long while ago,” said Carr. “The amount of teamwork that goes into creating hours of entertaining and informative TV every week— I think would boggle the mind of the average viewer. And I think of MIRA as being my teammate in producing and hosting Jason Carr Drive!”
Carr also enjoys his downtime. “When I’m not hosting or wearing many hats for my show, I am an avid golfer during the summer and bowler in the winter,” he said. “I love to bass fish, shop my local grocery, music, and hardware stores, and go bargain hunting and thrifting with my daughter.”
Carr not only collaborates professionally, but in his personal life as well. “My wife, Taryn Asher, is a dynamo: one half the main anchor team with Roop Raj on Fox 2 News, working mother, loving daughter and loyal friend, always thinking of others and always with an Italian pasta sauce on simmer (lucky me!),” said Carr. “For us it’s all collaboration and that includes raising our 12-year-old ‘junior dynamo’ Gia, who is such a kind soul among the many accolades I could say about her. We are very proud parents.”
*Writers with Epiphany Communications & Coaching are content creators for Bottom Line.
