I’m Troy Johnson. I’m an Evening Anchor and Reporter at 16 WAPT News in Jackson, Mississippi.
My dad is Jay Johnson, an amazing broadcaster who programmed WTLC in Indianapolis. He devoted his career to be one of the best behind the mic as a Billboard & BRE Air-Personality of the Year. He has been a visionary leader, created promotions & events for the station that helped ratings soar & brought the world to his listeners.
My ‘backstage’ was the studios and offices of WTLC. I saw firsthand, the day-to-day operations and met many of the amazing artists of the day. At 19, my dad offered me an entry-level job at ‘TLC. I was a board operator at the station. After several years of long hours, learning the basics and expanding my skills, I realized I might have the ability to take it to the next level.
My first job was weekend board-op at WTLC, then production director. Next up, production director/air personality at KMJM St. Louis. I moved back to Indy to do nights and Afternoons at ‘TLC. Then I moved on to Baltimore to co-host a morning show for Radio One’s 92Q. The Big Phat Morning Show was a ratings stalwart the entire 7 years I was with the station. I’ve done talk radio for CBS Baltimore, blogged for ‘The Baltimore Sun,’ served as executive director for Baltimore public access channel, People 75, was a news anchor for WNEW in DC, and was both an air personality & news anchor for Howard University’s WHUR. The goal for the next phase of my career is to be the main news anchor in a top 20 television market.
The biggest changes that I’ve seen in the industry is the amazing advancements in technology, and the unfortunate move to take the personality and creativity away from air personalities.
The future is in an interesting place. I would love for music execs to encourage artists to ‘redefine’ what becomes mainstream music. Artists have the power to help shape the real issues society needs to deal with.
Anything from Kendrick Lamar inspires me. “How Much a Dollar Cost” is still on my playlist! Honorable mention goes to J Cole!
Follow me on Twitter @troy_johnson, on IG @troy_j & on FB- Troy Johnson -16 WAPT
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