The Mo! Show: My Brand is ME!

By: Maya Perry

Even though Mo started as a massage therapist, she always knew she wanted to do some form of entertainment, whether it be tv, radio or rodeo clown. Mo was destined to entertain people. After conversing with this hilarious woman in radio, I see why she was made for this industry. 

Mo began our conversation by telling me her radio journey. “I literally LIED to my first radio gig with Riviera Broadcasting that I was in college so I could become an intern and work my way up the ladder and that’s EXACTLY what I did. Within a year, I was promoted from intern to promo assistant, to weekend on air to morning show producer which was really a glorified coffee getter. It was the absolute best decision, I’ve ever made. From there I moved over to 98KUPD and had to start ALL OVER AGAIN as a promo kid. It was always a small dream of mine to at least be one of the few female voices to grace the VERY male dominated rock station and to spend some time interning with their #1 morning show: Holmberg’s morning sickness. After the old company, Sandusky, was bought out by Hubbard Radio, our fearless leader, Trip Reeb, decided to pull me from KUPD to start a whole new Alt station called ALT AZ 93.3. I started off at nights for about a year and half, then had a short stint in Middays, only to be moved a few months later to become the first geeky, Hispanic, LGBTQ female morning show host for Phoenix Hubbard in 2017, the rest is HERstory” 

Mo explains that she wasn’t clever enough to make some fake name to go by on the air. She further describes how she came up with on air name. “I really don’t like lying to people about who I am and what I stand for. Not to knock anyone that are using different names for their on air persona, that’s just not my style. My real name is Monique, everyone called me Mo growing up, I just added the exclamation point at the end because my mom was always yelling for and at me.”

Mo’s personality shines through not only in her appearance with her bright teal hair but always showcasing her infectious personality through her commentary as well. When I asked what she would tell herself and other women in radio during their journey, she responds…“To not put tin foil in the microwave, also… don’t eat bacon raw and I guess invest in Facebook? Wait… but seriously, PUT IN THE WORK and MAKE YOURSELF SEEN! Get out there with your audience. Focus more on checking out the local activities in your market. If you’re trying to grow your show and your brand, you need to be kissing hands and shaking babies! When you give them face time, they’ll appreciate it and will be dedicated to you all because you gave them your time. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we have access to everything with instant gratification being at an all-time high, all the audience wants is to have access to you. If you’re not diving deeper into social media and sharing your life stories, I highly suggest doing so. Not only will it strengthen your brand, it’ll show people why you’re the one they should be hanging out with.  Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk, please exit out of the gift shop.”

Kandi Knight: Add A Little Sweetness To It

Written by: Maya Perry

​Kandi Knight is one of Alabama’s midday queens who lives by the slogan, “I hold down your middays and add a little sweetness to it." Kandi Knight kicked off her start in radio at her college's radio station in 2005. After an eight year break from radio, In 2017 the new “Kandi Knight” was born. After working at three different radio stations over a 14 year span, Kandi explains her new found name in radio. “While looking for a new name, candy kept popping up. I even watched a movie on television and the main character's name was Candi. That sealed the deal. I played around with last names for a while until my program director suggested "Knight," and said that KK would look great together, so here I am. Kandi Knight!” 

​Kandi went to school for Communications with dreams of being a news anchor. She wanted a communications job but figured radio would be great since it was in media. Kandi’s new found purpose became the best decision ever. “I found my purpose by owning who I am and realizing that I enjoy everything about the radio industry. I'd like to think that I do a pretty awesome job on air too! Who wouldn't want to be around music and bring joy to someone's day?! Being a radio personality is so much fun.” 

​You can catch Kandi Knight on 98.1 The Beat in Huntsville, Alabama rocking out middays. Kandi Knight’s love for the industry has allowed her to blossom and grow throughout her tenure in the media business. She concludes our conversation by leaving some tips for upcoming women in the industry. “If I could tell my younger self and aspiring women in radio one thing it would be, don't be afraid to put yourself out there! Build relationships, be seen and heard and have fun! So many opportunities are waiting just for you. Take time to really get to know who you are and find ways to make that work in your favor. I would say life doesn't always go as planned. You are so much stronger than you think. Never settle, stay focused and know that what is meant for you will find you.”

Jackie Paige: Loving Everything About Radio!

Written by: Dymin Cannon

From Charlotte, North Carolina Jackie Paige describes herself as fun, caring, strong, helping, ambitious, and goal-oriented. With those qualities she landed a job at the company Radio One Richmond, radio station WCDX IPOWER 92.1/104.1.

When she was asked to become the morning and afternoon announcer in middle school, Jackie discovered her love for radio. In middle school, staff would often compare her to the late Nate Quick and Janine “JD” Davis, from WPEG Power 98 FM. Jackie admired the both of them, and to be compared to them meant everything to her. 

Radio meshes all of Jackie’s passions into one, and she absolutely loves everything about it. Her favorite aspect of radio is being able to serve her community. Whether it’s providing a smile, provoking a thought, or actually popping up she is always serving.  

The hardest part about being in radio for Jackie, is missing those special moments with her family and friends. While working in radio, she has missed moments like births, funerals, birthdays, holidays and so much more. 

“What’s happening with the Women In Radio platform to bridge this gap, with women, is amazing,” she stated. She thinks that there have been some great strides made to advance women in the industry, but there are still a number of improvements that need to be made. If she could change one thing about the radio industry, she would add more opportunities for networking. 

Some people who influenced Jackie the most in her career are Hurricane Dave. Colby Colb, Cathy Hughes, Dyana Williams, Janine “JD” Davis, Angie Martinez, Maria More, and Kendra G. 

Outside of radio, Jackie is a fitness lover a certified Group Fitness, TRX and Zumba instructor. She teaches her class 4 to 5 days a week. Not only is she a fitness lover, but she loves to travel. Jackie has traveled to places like Thailand, Paris, Morocco, Mexico, Belize, and the Bahamas.  

Moving forward, Jackie is excited to see more opportunities for women. “We are really making some major noise in the industry right now,” she said. 

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.”