I started at WYLD-FM in New Orleans, midday & music director at WRVR in New York, 8 years at Inner City Broadcasting with WBLS & WLIB, 13 years as morning show host at WQCD – CD101.9. I’m currently the Morning Show Host & Producer at KTWV, 94.7 The Wave in LA & have been there for the past 20 years.
My inspiration was Vy Higgensen, one of the first women I ever heard hosting her own radio show. Even before I ever thought about being in radio myself, I as a fan. I met Vy when I started at WBLS and she turned out to be even more amazing as a mentor, role model & friend.
Vy has a presence that is unique. With her warm and earthy voice, she brought an elegance to her work on air but she also had a down to earth quality that drew you in and made her feel like your good girlfriend. She was articulate and smart with a subtle sense of humor. Off air, Vy was also a force to be reckoned with as a popular voiceover artist and narrator as well as an entrepreneur who ventured into publishing and theater, where she created and nurtured her award-winning Off Broadway musical “Mama I Want to Sing”. The play became an international hit that continues to be performed today.
Vy has also been a dedicated community advocate, especially in the Harlem neighborhood where she grew up. Her Mama Foundation nurtures up and coming talent while also providing an outlet for talented seniors who still have a lot to offer. From listening to Vy, I learned to talk to people and not talk at them. She is also one of the greatest examples ever for keeping it real and keeping it positive. I try to do that every time I crack the mic.
One of my proudest moments in my career was when I received the call from Vy to be one of her understudies in “Mama I Want to Sing”. I spent 10 years with the New York company. I never considered being in theater, though to be honest, since I was playing a disc jockey, it wasn’t much of a stretch! Still, Vy gave me the inspiration & the opportunity to learn & grow in that role and I will forever be indebted to her for that and so much more.
FB – Pat Prescott and Pat Prescott Fan Page, IG @Prescott947, Twitter @PatPrescott947.
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