get to know Shadow Traffic's Abby Ryan

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Posted by chicagomedia.org on December 18, 2007 at 10:05:33:

Keeping pace with rush hour

As an intern in 1995, she hated traffic reporting. Now, if you're a commuter in the Chicago area, you've heard her voice across the dial

December 17, 2007

You might say Abby Ryan, 35, has a case of split personalities, but she likes it that way. She provides traffic updates for nine radio stations in and around Chicago and Indiana, including National Public Radio. But most of her reporting is done from a central location downtown.

How did you get into traffic reporting?

I interned in 1995 with Shadow Traffic ... but I hated it. I thought, that's the end of me, I'm never going to make it in this business. Then 10 years later, I was working at WMBI ... doing a kids program. I was looking into getting a more solid paycheck and benefits, and I had done some news and traffic. I wasn't a terrified child anymore.

Yours is considered one of the least glamorous reporting jobs there is. Why do you like it?

I find it very interesting. I'm on nine different stations right now, so it's pretty fast-paced. I actually like being busy and flying by the seat of my pants. Plus, I get to be on a bunch of different stations and be a bunch of different people.

Which is your most true-to-life performance?

Basically, when I'm on NPR, that is the furthest away from my natural personality. I'm not monotone and reserved. I'm pretty obnoxious and bubbly. So it's kind of acting for me, which is kind of fun. Then I have a couple of Indiana stations, and everybody thinks I'm a Harley biker babe. The guy that I'm working with likes to play with the theater of mind.

You do voice acting, too?

I'm breaking into it. I've tried out for various commercials, but I haven't gotten a gig yet. I think it'd be fun to be a character ... to be the voice behind the Geico gecko or the cavemen. Something fun where it would continue.

Drive much yourself?

I ride my bike, and I walk. When I'm running late, I take a cab. I try to be prepared, so I at least sound like I know what I'm talking about.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I've always been a little church girl. Once upon a time before radio, I wanted to be a youth pastor's wife. I missed the boat on that one.

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: Keeping pace with rush hour : As an intern in 1995, she hated traffic reporting. Now, if you're a commuter in the Chicago area, you've heard her voice across the dial : December 17, 2007 : You might say Abby Ryan, 35, has a case of split personalities, but she likes it that way. She provides traffic updates for nine radio stations in and around Chicago and Indiana, including National Public Radio. But most of her reporting is done from a central location downtown. : How did you get into traffic reporting? : I interned in 1995 with Shadow Traffic ... but I hated it. I thought, that's the end of me, I'm never going to make it in this business. Then 10 years later, I was working at WMBI ... doing a kids program. I was looking into getting a more solid paycheck and benefits, and I had done some news and traffic. I wasn't a terrified child anymore. : Yours is considered one of the least glamorous reporting jobs there is. Why do you like it? : I find it very interesting. I'm on nine different stations right now, so it's pretty fast-paced. I actually like being busy and flying by the seat of my pants. Plus, I get to be on a bunch of different stations and be a bunch of different people. : Which is your most true-to-life performance? : Basically, when I'm on NPR, that is the furthest away from my natural personality. I'm not monotone and reserved. I'm pretty obnoxious and bubbly. So it's kind of acting for me, which is kind of fun. Then I have a couple of Indiana stations, and everybody thinks I'm a Harley biker babe. The guy that I'm working with likes to play with the theater of mind. : You do voice acting, too? : I'm breaking into it. I've tried out for various commercials, but I haven't gotten a gig yet. I think it'd be fun to be a character ... to be the voice behind the Geico gecko or the cavemen. Something fun where it would continue. : Drive much yourself? : I ride my bike, and I walk. When I'm running late, I take a cab. I try to be prepared, so I at least sound like I know what I'm talking about. : What would people be surprised to know about you? : I've always been a little church girl. Once upon a time before radio, I wanted to be a youth pastor's wife. I missed the boat on that one.

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