ports, and when I first started out I was always turning in stuff late, but it was a learning experience. I definitely use my creativity within the radio station writing promos and sweeps and thinking of ideas of how we can continue to dominate in this market. I’m still a radio personality too. What are your typical responsibilities? Everything that has to do with the radio station on a day-to-day basis. Making sure the commercial logs have been done correctly the day before. Working with the on air staff, grooming new guys and molding them into good on-air personalities. Keeping people on top of their game, as well as mine. Meeting with my promotions director. Meeting with my music director to talk about our rotations. Answering emails, talking to local artists and DJs, staying on top of the music game. The PD position does have some perks and you have some power, but at the same time, we do a lot of work.
ED THE WORLD FAMOUS Where are you from and how did you get into radio? I’m originally from the Caribbean, St. Lucia. My mom spent some time in the military so I traveled a lot. Most of my family lives in Miami. I came to Tallahassee to go to FAMU. What did you study at FAMU? I came to school as a Music major, but I ended up switching to a major in Psychology and a minor in Public Relations/Broadcasting. I did a lot of things at FAMU – I was in the Marching 100, the Striker’s dance troupe, the music fraternity. I got into college radio as another avenue to use some of my creativity. I started as a regular personality and worked my way up, developing my personality and working in production. I got hired on the only urban commercial station at the time, which was 96.1 Jamz. Orlando – the PD in Tampa now – hired me. Since you have a creative mind, is it difficult handling the day-to-day business of being a Program Director? No, I don’t know how it is in other markets, but fI don’t handle too many boring things. I get to use my creativity and think outside the box. I do have to do paperwork and re16
OZONE
What’s your advice to local artists trying to get played on the radio? First, whatever music you’re putting out has got to be up to the caliber of the majors. Even if you don’t have a lot of money behind them, whatever product you’re putting out has got to be equal to or better than what the majors are putting out. A lot of local artists don’t realize that radio is a business. If my competition is playing hot joints by a major artist and I’m not, I’m worried that playing some of the local artists music may affect my ratings in the long run. If my competition does better than me in the ratings books, nobody’s gonna buy ads. Number two – you’ve gotta build a story behind your product. I’m a PD but I’m also out in the clubs hearing what other DJs are playing and what the crowd is reacting to. I can see what’s working in the clubs, and more than likely, it’ll also work on the radio. When Blazin’ first launched, we did make it a point to reach out to local artists and let them know that we support them. We’ve been doing that since day one with a contest called “Rep Yo’ City.” We’ve done numerous local artist showcases and seminars. I don’t operate by no playlist when it comes to our mixshows. As long as it’s hot, I definitely encourage our mixers to break new music and mix it with current stuff. Is there anything else you’d like to say? In 3 years we’ve become #1 in our demo. Our staff works hard – we’re a family. RIP DJ Skip A Chuck. I don’t plan to be here forever, but I would like to stay in the South and move on to a bigger market. - Words and photo by Julia Beverly