Kat Carter: The Radio Nerd

By: Maya Perry

Like most of us, Kat started out doing a job that wasn’t what she wanted to do, but she recognized her talents. “I started off in the promotions department then slowly started to gain more responsibilities when it was clear I was passionate about radio. At my first radio job, I ended up being the Music Director for three formats (Hot-AC, Country and Classic Rock) plus doing the mid-day shift on the Hot-AC station, I was in my early 20s at the time. When I initially started in radio, I went by my real name ‘Emily Carter’ but after my second radio job in Vancouver, I went by Kat Carter instead. At the time, we had two Emily C’s at the station and since I was the new girl in town, my PD asked if I could change my name. It took a while to choose a name until a co-worker asked what my middle name was...I responded “Kathleen” and he said to go with “Kat Carter.” She has been Kat Carter ever since.

“I found my purpose in radio after trying out almost every job at the station to see what I enjoyed most. I tried production, news, copy, promo, on-air and music. I quickly realized that my goal was not to be on-air, but in the music department, programming the station. You’ve got to have a certain focus and attention to detail to program music and I knew that was one of my strong suits. I also made sure to continue to be on-air, that way I became more valuable to the station. It’s harder to let go of someone who is doing multiple jobs. If I had just been on-air, I probably would have been canned numerous times.”

Concluding our interview, Kat left some sound advice for future women in radio, “If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell her that you’re more talented than you think. Stop doubting your abilities and don’t compare yourself to others. Have more confidence in yourself. Don’t be afraid to take chances, it will help you grow personally and professionally. Take that job in another market, try out a different position at the station, network as much as possible and don’t be afraid to fail. We all fail but the successful ones get back up and try again.”

Phoenix Kaye: Rising From The Ashes

Written by: Maya Perry

Phoenix Kaye’s personal slogan is, “A Phoenix ALWAYS rises from ashes”. She further explains how to maintain your power within the industry, “self- advocacy. Don’t diminish your voice to make those of others resound better. Advocate for yourself! You are your own best advocate, not worst enemy.”

Phoenix Kaye gave a brief history of how she got her start in radio. “I started as an intern. Once they let me in the door, I never allowed them to forget me. After my internship was completed, I would constantly show up at the station, just to touch base. It worked because when a position became available, I was fresh on their minds and they extended a job offer to me.”

Assuming she was from Arizona like most, she explains how she got the name “Phoenix Kaye”. “So, a really good friend of mine gave me the nickname Phoenix. I initially started my on-air journey using my actual name, while I was producing and co-hosting a show for our Hip Hop station, K97.5,in Raleigh. When I switched over to our R&B station, Foxy 107/104, I decided to mix things up. I love the symbolism of a Phoenix and got a kick out of the nickname. So, I kept Phoenix as a first name and paired it with my given middle name and Phoenix Kaye was born.”

Branding is defined as the promotion of a particular product or individual by means of advertising. I asked Phoenix Kaye what she thinks her brand is and she explains, “The funny thing about branding, for me, is that I feel there is a certain fluidity in what I hope our listeners perceive my brand to be. I can be upbeat, goofy, informative, and sincere. I really want them to see me as someone they can relate to. I want them to feel like I’m an old friend from way back.”

The advice Phoenix Kaye would give to upcoming women in radio is, “Stay consistent and try to learn all facets of the radio business. There are so many components to radio that I didn’t know anything about before I started. You may have your mind set to pursue radio for one specific role, but then find that you fit another role better. Be adaptable. If you love it, it won’t feel like work and it will also keep you focused and centered when the going gets tough. It may get tough, but you have to WANT to grow and succeed. Please, don’t compare yourself to others. Find your niche and be fabulous! You have to be relentless, resilient, and passionate about this craft. It can feel like a one-sided relationship, at times.”

La Shorty: Don't Let Your Circumstances Define You

Written by: Maya Perry

Formerly known as “Yessi Smiles”, La Shorty gives listeners hope and joy. She is the person that’s always smiling and laughing no matter the circumstances.

La Shorty explains her start in radio. “About 6 years ago when I lived in New London, Connecticut, I started as an intern for Cumulus Media. Then a year later, I became official and was hired as the Promotions Director for the 4  stations that they had there and I absolutely loved it. A couple of months later, one of the talents left and I was able to do one of his segments for their social media called “Pet of the Week”. When I started doing that, I knew that I wanted to become an on-air personality. Due to some bad choices in life, I had to leave Connecticut and move back to Miami where I am originally from. I had to start from 0 and worked as a Promotions Technician for Univision and then worked my way up to where I am now! Still a lot to go through!”

“The name La Shorty is actually a recent name that was given to me this year while I joined the morning show in Miami. I was known as Yessi Smiles before la Shorty and the reason that La Shorty was given to me was because I am just a short little spunk of joy! LOL! I am still known as Yessi Smiles for my own company which is Mun2Trap but decided to have two different names to differentiate one from the other.”

Sometimes life knocks you back to teach you a lesson but La Shorty never let that waver her vision on what she wanted. The bad times also didn’t change who she was as a person. “the purpose for me has always been to have the listener listen to me and be like who’s that girl? She’s so bubbly and so happy! After a long day or stressful day, what’s better than to be around positivity and that’s what I want my listeners to pick up when I am on-air! Spark of positivity!”

You can catch La Shorty on-air at EL ZOl 106.7 FM. La Shorty’s essential advice on being a woman in radio is: “Believe in yourself. Work Hard. Be honest. Don’t step on anyone. Stay humble always. And push for your dreams and goals, don’t give up! Keep bringing new ideas even after you’ve made it because one day you’re on top and the next one you’re not. If this is the industry you love believe me you’ll be in it for the long run! And never ever change! Be yourself!”

Blu On Air: It's Okay If You Don't Fit In

Written by: Maya Perry

Blu like the color, shares her vibrant personality over the airwaves. She shared her destined start in the radio industry. “I started in college at WVST of Virginia State University in 2014. But I started networking and hosting events in 2011 to get my name out there.  I did not get into commercial radio until the end of 2017. The reason I got into radio was to have a voice to reach and help others.  My whole life, I’ve always found happiness in helping other people. There isn’t much that I haven’t been through.  I truly believe I have been put in a position to encourage others to get through their storms. My most important message is: “Where you start does not determine where you will finish.  KEEP GOING!”

When I asked her how she came up with her name, I assumed Blue was her favorite color but I was completely wrong! Blu explains, “I laugh when I get this question because most people think its some deep meaning behind my name.  BLU is my initials.  That’s literally all there is to it. Lol”

You can catch Blu on-air weeknights on iPower 92.1/ 104.1 and she also hosts a podcast. When asked what encouraging words she has for aspiring women in radio, she states, “It is okay that you don’t fit in right now. Later you will see why you weren’t supposed to, and you’ll be happy/proud that you didn’t. This game is for people who truly love it!  If you love it, WORK FOR IT! Keep trying! Keep Learning!  Keep Pushing! Keep Grinding! Never let anyone outwork you! And most importantly, NEVER GIVE UP!”

Afrika: Sister, Sister On The Radio

Written by: Maya Perry

I typically write blogs on women who have inspired me or have shown a great work ethic, but today I am writing a blog on a woman who has not only inspired but gives complete reasoning behind why I love radio. Afrika is a multifaceted personality who has been slaying airwaves for over two decades and she is my big sister. 

Afrika is the epitome of a true woman in radio. She is a role model to many women in the radio industry and has shown grace to every spirit she encounters. Afrika explains “When I started in this business nobody could talk me out of taking the risk of radio. It’s unstable, you have to move all the time. I knew I wanted to do it from the first time I opened a mic. But the last few years in this business DID prove to be unstable. And I DID have to move….like, a lot. I don’t regret the ‘nomad’ lifestyle because it was fun lol and a big part of me will always be that way.” The uncertainties of this industry can sometimes throw curve balls at you but Afrika’s faith in her craft never wavered in this ever changing media environment. 

Afrika started in the radio industry in the late ‘90s. After a short stint on WQMG, she did mornings for 102 JAMZ in 1998. Her resume includes WBHJ in Birmingham, Alabama, afternoons at WPOW Miami, stations in Detroit, Michigan. She has even done voice over for for national clients like: Xfinity, Apple, Starbucks and more

My sister, Afrika, is my biggest role model and deserves all the accolades she receives. I remember visiting my sister on air as a teen to meet Lil Bow Wow and that’s when I KNEW, I caught the radio bug. Not because of Lil Bow Wow (he was big deal a one point lol) but because I saw my sister able to be her authentic self at work. In many other careers, you have to code switch or read off of teleprompters. The excitement of being yourself on a media platform, turned out to be the best part of my experience that day. Afrika has maintained a professional and positive brand in this industry for over 20 years, and I aspire to be half the woman she is.

You can catch Afrika on middays on 97.1 QMG in North Carolina. I am honored to say I have a ‘sister’ in radio - but literally! Just know The Perry Girls are taking the radio industry by storm and we can’t be stopped. There would not be a #MissPerryApproved without #AfrikaOnAir !

Lara Scott: Fun, Positive, and Inclusive

Written by: Maya Perry

I always wanted to use a fun name, like JoJo McFly or Anita Martini, but my bosses early on reminded me that I had enough to worry about without also trying to remember what name to say. Lara Scott is my real name, and it is the name that I’ve always used in radio.”

​While living in a small town in Oregon, 17 year old Lara got her start in radio.  “The local Top 40 station had a new morning jock that one of my friends thought sounded cute. We were at a party one night, and she dared ME to get a job at the station so SHE could meet him. I called the station right then and there and spoke with the night jock, who told me that they were in fact hiring and that I should call the business office the next day. The morning guy was also the program director (and it turned out that he had a girlfriend, so my friend never got to meet him), and he told me that they were desperate for people to keep the station on the air at night and on the weekend. I was hired to be on the air with no experience, and did my first shift THAT WEEKEND.  I actually learned a few things from young Lara. I can really appreciate how fearless and determined I was, and how I jumped right into something new with radio without worrying about if I would fail. And even though I was TERRIBLE, I kept showing up, asking for help, and trying to get better. I ran college basketball and local baseball games on our AM station, worked overnights six nights a week on the FM side, and hauled station equipment around in my tiny car to do free live broadcasts from the side of a highway at a feed store. I went to college during the day, and when my small town started to feel too small, I moved to Portland in search of new opportunity. The boss that told me I’d never work in radio again when I left the small town? I used his cruelty to fire me up through even more overnight shifts, vowing that I would not stop until I reached Los Angeles.”

​ Similar to her personality, Lara’s brand is fun, positive, and inclusive. “Everyone is welcome to be a part of my show, whether they are helping me give contest details, giving a shout out to a friend, or telling me about their weekend. I started putting callers on the air as soon as I started in radio; it was the one time I sounded natural when I started out, and I also didn’t know what to talk about so I would ask people a million questions. But I actually really liked having other voices on and letting the callers shine, so I just kept doing it. My brand ties in with my purpose in radio, which I really got serious about a few years ago. I felt like there was so much negativity online and all around me, so I decided that the things I had control over—my shift and my online presence—would be dedicated to positivity.”

​Lara can be heard on K-EARTH 101 weekdays 10a-3p, and weekly on the Searching SoCal podcast. When we concluded our interview, Lara left some great advice for aspiring women on air. “If you want to be on the air and are in high school or college, work at your school station. If you are out of school and in a small market, call local stations and ask if they are hiring. The smaller the market, the less experience they’ll require for an on-air position and the more willing they’ll be to train you. Be enthusiastic, tell them you would love to get into radio and why you’d like to work for them, and let them know you are ready to learn and work extremely hard. If you’re in a larger market, apply for a position with the station street team or promotions department to get your foot in the door; from there, it’s often easy to train as a board-op, practice in a production room, and possibly get a shot at a weekend or overnight shift. And look at driving to a nearby smaller market to do on-air shifts. If you’re looking to move up to a bigger market, start by doing an excellent job where you currently are. Go to conventions and talk to everyone, and reach out to people and start conversations online. And don’t forget about podcasting, which is a wonderful way to get comfortable in front of a mic, practice interviewing, get your name out there and build your brand.”