I started in radio at my alma mater Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas at KTSU-FM, doing Morning Drive in a Jazz format. Five years later after graduation, I moved to St Louis to KATZ-FM as air personality and eventually Program Director. After a format flip, I moved to Chicago, initially in pursuit of an opportunity with Smooth Jazz WNUA-FM. I eventually landed at WGCI-FM part time On-Air and eventually Music Director. I’ve worked on air, as music director, program director or operations manager in the UC, Hip Hop and UAC formats at WKKV-FM Milwaukee; WBEE-FM Peoria, IL; WEJM-FM Chicago; KATZ-FM, KMJM-FM & WSSM-FM St. Louis; WXBT-FM Columbia, SC and WMKS-FM Greensboro, NC.
My station and staff were a part of that 2nd wave of major layoffs with Clear Channel and throughout the industry with the ‘economy collapse of 2009.’ After a blessed 20-year run, I knew it was time to start putting a previous plan in action. “What am I going to do if this is it for me in radio?” With the economy shaky and everyone in the industry was staying put, it became quickly apparent with phone calls drying up, there were very few opportunities to match my track record. It was time to move into life without radio.
I was fortunate to be able to take the time to re-create a consultant business doing all the things I did in radio – Website Development & Content Management; Special Event Planning, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Radio Operations Consultant. I ended up utilizing my networking and started a Private Car Service for Greensboro, Raleigh & Charlotte, NC specializing in VIP and Executive service.
Today I continue my consulting business with selective clientele and I’m the General Manager of WSNC-FM, Public Radio with a Jazz Format owned by Winston-Salem State University and it is an NPR Affiliate.
I have 2 favorite songs. Stevie Wonder’s “Rocket Love” resembles my career and passion for radio. The other is Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers’ “Encourage Yourself”. I needed THAT to get through the many challenging periods, and with my type of career there were quite a few. Reach me at OmegaBAYEnterprises.com.