Audrey On Air: Queen of Mornings

Written by: Maya Perry

Audrey is a  syndicated morning queen at Entercom, who describes herself as “Energetic, authentic, personable…. everyone’s friend who takes the joke too far.” She quickly explains her first start in radio as a funny story. “I researched who the PD was at my local iHeart cluster in Lexington, KY. I found out his name was Michael Jordan and just sent him an email with the subject line reading #23. He thought my email was hilarious and set up a meeting… from there I got hired on the spot for my creative way of getting his attention and started working as a part timer for three different stations in the building. I worked there as a talent for a top 40 station, alt rock, and classic rock. Basically, I was taking on anything I could to prove myself and to show how grateful I was for the opportunity.”

Like many of us, in a saturated industry, Audrey set herself apart and was persistent in finding her purpose and place in radio.  “…. I found my purpose when I realized that my voice can create an awareness. In a job where we try to lighten the mood every day and ATTEMPT to not take ourselves so seriously… it’s been amazing to see the shift in confidence within myself that I CAN talk about mental health. I CAN talk about suicide prevention. I think that many of us have this fear of like, “will my boss be okay with this?” or “will my listeners turn off if I speak on this? I’ve decided that because I try to put as much as my life out there as possible that my purpose has transformed from this vain sense of boosting myself up on air and to stop making me sound like the coolest person in existence, because lets be real we all do that, and instead try and help others when they are hurting. We can all use the mic to uplift and motivate others!!!”

We concluded our interview with Audrey’s special tips on being a radio boss in this industry. “Being tired will be worth it. Keep grinding. The people you meet, keep their business cards. Go to those additional meetings that you’re not obligated to be in, but to show that you are eager to learn more. But above all, don’t be upset with how long it takes you to get to where you want to be!! Have patience. Don’t be afraid to move for the job you want. Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams. If it’s not happening in your radius…. gage whether or not you think it’s actually going to happen for you in that town. Comfort zones are comfortable for a reason. It gets so easy to go about your normal routine but you will NOT grow unless you go into a space that pushes you to excel in ways that force you to learn new talents. Know your worth and fight for it!!!!!​” You can catch Audrey on mornings in Las Vegas and Albany, NY on “The Dave and Mahoney Morning Show.”

Tami With An I: You Are Exactly Like You Are On The Radio

Written by: Maya Perry

“The radio/tv people that I am drawn to are those who seem the most authentic. And, that’s really who I want to be for my listeners...just me. I hope I remind listeners of their favorite aunt or a good friend, the one who can make you laugh or sometimes cry, who has your back and encourages you, but who will also tell you like it is when you need to hear it. The best compliment a listener can give me is, “Wow...in real life, you are exactly like you are on the radio.” Tami with an I is a Radio boss in her own right with over 25 years in the radio field. Tami is an afternoon jock for 93.1 Wolf Country in North Carolina with her bright and warm voice. 

Tami describes her upbringing in radio over two decades ago. “I grew up listening to the radio all the time. As a dorky teenager with no social life, I’d regularly call in and harass the DJ’s. If you were one of them, thanks for being nice to me and even putting me on the air once in a while!  But, for some reason it had never crossed my mind that radio could be an actual job that I could make actual money doing. One day, when I was 17 and fresh out of high school, I was looking through the classifieds in the local paper that served the rural Ohio town where I lived. I came across an ad for an ON AIR BROADCASTER. That was the actual title. It sounded unique and fun and way better than my current job as a Walmart cashier. I lacked the self-awareness to realize that I was totally unqualified for the job, so I went right on over to the station applied for it.  The PD took me back to the studio and recorded me reading a few scripts. And, she hired me on the spot. I was a teenager with no experience who could read news, sports and weather without messing it up too badly.  She must have been desperate! But, that’s where it all began.  And, what a glamorous radio job it was! In that little trailer in the middle of a cornfield I ran a live Country AM and an automated AC FM at the same time. I also vacuumed and took out the trash before I left at night.  All for a whopping $4/hr.”

Like most of us, branding is sharing our authentic self. Tami was always Tami though. “My first job was at a pair of small, rural stations and we all just used our real names. So, I was Tami D’Ambrosio (my maiden name). It definitely did not roll off the tongue. My next job was in a much bigger market at a Hot AC station and my PD unsurprisingly wanted me to choose something more radio friendly. I went with Suzanne McCann. I’m adopted, and that was the name my birthmother gave me. It really is a great radio name. Years later, I took a job co-hosting a Christian radio morning show. I wanted to be as authentic as possible, and for me, that started with using my real name. But, for safety’s sake I just went by Tami. But, everyone else at the station used a last name, so it always sounded a little incomplete when I was just Tami.  I honestly cannot remember the first time I used Tami with an I, but it stuck. Soon, that’s what listeners were referring to me as.  Since The Wolf is in the same market as the Christian station, and since that’s how I’m known in these parts, I decided to stick with it.  My PD loves it because we have so many Tami’s, Tammy’s and Tammie’s listening to the station-it’s been a running joke at the Wolf for years.  I think he’s thrilled to finally have a Tami on this side of the radio.” 

Whatever Tami that you meet or interact with you are bound to smile and engage. Her infectious personality has captivated not only myself but other women in radio who encounter her. When I asked her what she would like to tell upcoming women in radio she left me with this;

“Stay the course...you are on the path God intended for you. The doors that are meant to open, will open. A few things. 

1- Learn to be a student of the people, places and situations around you.  One of the best ways to connect with people over the radio is by sharing your life with them-the things you see, hear, and do. Being able to concisely talk about those things from your own, unique camera angle is vital.

2-Study yourself, too. It’s hard to be authentically you if you’re still not sure who you are.  What are your passions? What makes you angry? Who are the people you identify with?  Whoooo are youuuu? Ask your friends, parents, partner, how they’d describe your personality to someone who doesn’t know you. Take all the personality tests you can, not really for the results, but for the process of self-examination.

3-Do a podcast. Even if it sucks and no one listens. Anyone with a cheap usb mic and a laptop can produce one.  Pick a topic that you care about, and create a podcast about it.  This is a wonderful, effective and free way for you to hone your skills, develop your on-air personality and learn how to get your thoughts out of your mouth in an entertaining and appealing way.”

Janis Mavis: Radio Is My Passion!

Written by: Maya Perry

Janis Mavis a published author, entrepreneur, creative writer, motivational speaker and Radio host all in one. As the host of The Artist Lounge on WMEL Radio, Janis highlights and showcase authors, recording artists, musicians, song-writers, and entertainers globally.  Janis like all women in radio loves what she does! “I feel the passion in my soul and from others as well. I am constantly sharing information about my show, receiving compliments when I broadcast from my audience, fans, business associates, and social media posts” Isn’t that the art of our industry? The importance of sharing information and receiving feedback from the audience. 

In 2014, Janis Mavis was requested to become a temporary co-host "In the Author's Corner Blog Talk Radio" with FoundersEtienne Gibbs & April Thomas of the Virgin Islands. Being new to the radio media industry with no training as a host, Janis was very nervous. Janis remembers “I wanted to become a radio host. I dreamed about it! I felt it! I desired it! It is my passion! The proper guidance, expertise, on air experience provided me the necessary radio broadcasting training to move forward.” Shortly after, Janis was introduced to a formal WMEL Radio Family to Gamel Djmel Moore who was former Engineer & Producer. Janis states that Gamel Djmel Moore said “go for it Janis" and if she needed his assistance, he would be there for her. Janis continues by saying “Immediately, I create an on air radio script, contacting local and out of state Authors to be a guest on my show. November of 2015, I launched my very first solo show as a radio host of The Author's Corner.” 

Janis wishes she could have started in the radio media entertainment industry sooner. She pronounces “However; I am here to stay! Grounded! Exhaling! Thankful! Constantly developing new ideas and researching daily.” When asked what she would tell her younger self, Janis states “Continue to strive and grind daily. Constantly create new ideas regarding your show and its entertainment platform. Attend radio media events and concerts, network with other fellow radio host personalities globally.”

Beasy Baybie: Radio Is A Crazy Love Affair!

Written by: Maya Perry

“Radio is a crazy love affair! If you’ve been bitten you know it. You’re loving an industry that will likely hurt your feelings over and over again…..but you can’t let go. We’ve all been there, and as a woman in radio it’s even more difficult.” Beasy Baybie is queen of afternoons at Hot 103.9/ 93.9  in South Carolina who  takes pride in balancing being a mom, a leader in hercommunity, a force in the media, and someone positive in this world.

Beasy Baybie describes her journey into radio. “I had just moved to Charlotte, NC with three of my daughters. I had been out of prison for about a year and Charlotte was to be my fresh start. I was attending classes at CPCC and seeking employment. I had made some really bad decisions leading up to that point and wanted to do things right with this second chance at life. So, I was praying and waiting on God to show me what was next. One morning on my way to drop my daughters off at school I was looking for a radio station. I didn’t know much about Charlotte so I was pretty much just figuring it all out. While flipping through the stations I came across a station that was clear and the man on the radio said “Do you think you have what it takes to be the next on air star? Call us……” and so I did. BJ MURPHY interviewed me in September of 2012 and then gave me an opportunity to be an intern at WGIV The Soul of Charlotte (now known as STREETZ 103.3). I was a convicted felon, still on parole, with only a GED; I took what I could get to get in the door. During this time, I was a victim of domestic violence and was almost killed by my husband. Leaving him put me in a crunch financially. Now, I wasn’t paid as an intern so I had to become a sales rep in order to make money to provide for my family. Over the next few months, I became one of the top sales reps at the station. I was also offered the opportunity to join The BJ Murphy Morning Show as the Executive Producer and Co-Host. I stayed with WGIV 103.3 for a year before moving on to HOT 103.9fm Columbia, SC; I was hired as a “part time” on air talent covering the Midday shift in September 2013.” Her undeniable gift and love for radio led her ultimate destiny. 

She defines how she created her radio name. “I actually got the nickname “Beasy” from a friend years before I got into radio. I was a bit of a wild one and he would always tell me to “Be Easy” and then began calling me that. Eventually, many people did and it just became my nickname. Then when I first created a Facebook page I had to come up with a “last name”. I had a friend whom I got really close with while I was incarcerated and her nickname was “baybee”. As I was creating the Facebook page I thought hmmmm “Beasy Baybie” yup that works lol. A few years later I got into radio and it only made sense to keep the name. My brand is ME, no more no less. I was Beasy in Reading, Pa. I was Beasy in Muncy State correctional Institution. I was Beasy in Kintock Halfway House in Philadelphia and I’ll be Beasy when I’m laid to rest. I think it’s REALLY important to give people who you are, organically! You don’t have an “image” to keep up or a lie to protect. Being you is effortless, and easy, and people respect it more. Sharing the highs and lows of life with those who are watching you is important and lets people know that they are not alone in their trials.”

We concluded interview with some helpful Beasy Baybie tips for future women in radio:

1. Work on relationships. Go to the radio conferences and festivals. Show up at the awards shows--even if you’re not covering them. Make your presence known in every room. From the door person to the producer behind the scenes, shake every hand and introduce yourself. Relationships are EVERYTHING in this industry. Make sure they know who you are.

2. Don’t get discouraged!! There aren’t a lot of openings in radio, and when one opens there are more applicants than you can imagine. If you don’t get the job, it’s not for you!!! God has a way of protecting us from what we think we want. When it’s your time, it’s your time. Be patient and keep working on YOU while you wait.

3. DO MORE THAN YOU’RE PAID FOR!!! Be an asset to the company, but always remember that ultimately you’re working for YOURSELF!!! The more you know, the more you do, the more opportunities you create for YOURSELF and it pleases the company that they have someone like you on the team! KEEP LEARNING: everyone has more than one job in radio today - don’t be the radio girl who only knows how to talk on the radio! Leave every job better than when you started; and make your spot hard to fill.

4. BUILD YOUR BRAND …...social media is IMPORTANT. CREATE. CREATE. CREATE

5. REMEMBER YOUR “WHY”. If you don’t know what your WHY is figure it out. PURPOSE will keep you going when all else fails.

6. Find a mentor or 5 (you’ll need them)

7. Be confident!

Mani Millss: Live For You!

Written by: Maya Perry

“What is for you will always be for you! If it takes a month, 6 months, a year for you to get it... It’s yours. Sometimes we want things when were not ready for them so I encourage patience during your journey. When you reach your goal, you’ll know exactly why it took the time, the losses, and the growth to get there. Being a woman in radio is so powerful, so limitless, know your worth but never stop learning. Never stop growing and being a student in this industry. As we all know there is no manual and there is always something to learn. Believe in yourself always & know that there is nothing you cannot do!” 

Mani Millss is one of the queens of middays in Nashville whose words have not only helped me with my journey and growth in radio but other upcoming women on air as well. 

Mani Millss opens up about her found purpose in radio. “My purpose in radio is to use my platform to allow my voice to be heard. A single mother for 8 years, I’ve faced so many obstacles during my journey but I never gave up.” Her persistence and humility has given her the platform to inspire others; to tell her story and show women how powerful we are, that we can have a family and a career and that nothing is impossible.

Receiving the college nickname “Mani Millss”, she felt it was catchy and fit her brand. “I did a lot in the community to brand myself. I started out throwing my own fashion shows, poetry shows and night events and I went out on a limb and would hostthem myself. I eventually became one of the biggest hosts in the city-- I believe my voice is what got me noticed. I received a call about a midday position and if I was interested. Hell yeah; I thought to myself. With no experience, no idea what all radio entailed, I had a particular confidence that God aligned this perfectly for me and I refused to pass it up. That was Feb 2017 I was hired as a part-time midday talent, here we are two years later... I have been promoted to a full-time music director and midday talent in a much larger market within a two year time frame.”

Mani Millss describes feeling pressured to follow a career path that made the most money growing up, so she pursued pediatrics. At no point during that journey was she happy. She explains if she could give her younger self advice, “I would tell myself not to listen to other people, family included. Everyone has a particular purpose in life and it’s embedded in you from day one. It’s up to you to find it and not let others deter you from what you know is expected of you to give this world. When I look back on my life I have ALWAYS been a personality and I have always wanted to help people. It wasn’t until I decided to live for ME that I truly began living life so that’s what I would encourage my younger self to do... live for YOU.”

Ally Lynn: The Sky Is The Limit

Written by: Sunshine

The road to success is not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. For this radio personality, her rocky journey gave her the drive to make all her dreams come true.

Alexandria Washington, better known as “Ally Lynn”, is an energetic, outgoing witty radio host and television personality from Little Rock, Arkansas.

Ally’s journey began when she was a student at the University of Alabama. Like many incoming students, Ally was excited about being away from home and enjoying freedom that she let her grades slip causing her to be put on academic probation with a 0.67 GPA.

With the push from a great friend named Laqula Walker, Ally was able to increase her GPA by taking over 20 credit hours per semester and working numerous hours at an ice cream shop at night.

Her friend knew that there was so much more to her, so she urged Ally to try doing radio on campus. Although she never intended on doing radio, it was then that Ally found her calling.

After graduating college in 2013, she moved back home and held down a full time job at Dillard’s and began her professional radio career working for free at Streetz 101.1. From there, she worked for Power 92 Jamz, then became a school teacher and social media reporter for a local news station. From there, she garnered the attention from Harvey at TMZ and was a reporter in Los Angeles. 

After her grandmother’s passing, she then took her talents to Birmingham with New York, where she worked at 95.7 Jamzand it was after a few months there that she was discovered on Instagram by, her now mentor, Ms. Mary K.

Mary K offered Ally a job at 92.7 the Block in Charlotte - she accepted and it was full speed ahead. Ally says she owes a lot of her success to Mary K because she was always willing to help Ally reach the next level. “She never held back, she always helped me, “Ally stated.

In addition to her fruitful radio career, Ally also expanded her brand by making regular appearances on Fox 46 where she served a daily dose of entertainment news during the 8 a.m. morning newscast.

After working for in Charlotte for 7 short months, she was promoted within to Radio One at 107.5 in Detroit, MI.

Throughout her 10-year journey on the radio, Ally has always made it a point to stay true to herself. Since she started, she’s always had a positive spirit that keeps her going even until today.

In an ever changing industry like radio, Ally is sure to remain confident within herself and not let others alter her focus. She’s rebranded herself from Ally The Pub to Ally Lynn to welcome the creative space she’s in with media overall. 

“The competition isn’t the next person, the competition is you,” Ally expressed.

After recently saying her goodbyes to Detroit, Ally is now in the process of working on a syndicated show, which launched August 1 on 105.1 The Block (WALJ-Tuscaloosa) with Townsquare Media on Monday - Friday from 12-6pm.

Adding to her diverse portfolio, she will be launching her own show, The Playhouse, in the United Kingdom through her deal with Radio X. Ally can be heard Monday through Friday beginning August 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in London and Manchester alongside her partner in crime mixshow dj, DJ Glory.

And she’s not stopping there, on September15th Ally will premiere her new digital podcast,”At The Table” on YouTube!

She’s very excited about what God has in store for her for the remainder of the year and reminds women in radio to stay the course and “trust the process.”

For Ally, the sky is truly the limit!