10 Questions
10 Questions with Jamien “Melz On The M-I-C” Green
Name: Jamien “Melz On The M-I-C” Green
Title: Host/Producer
Syndicated: “Brown Liquor Music” Southern Soul & Blues Mixshow
Market: Tyler – Longview, TX
Social Media Links: Bluesky, IG, FB, TikTok, YouTube
Born: New Orleans, LA
Brief Career Synopsis: 2009- Current HotBox254 Productions.
2021-2025, Brand Mgr./afternoons for Townsquare Media Urban KISX (107.3 KISS-FM)/Tyler-Longview, TX. Before joining KISX, Melz spent nearly a decade with the Townsquare media’s Killeen-Temple cluster.
He worked at Urban KOOC (B106) and Urban AC KSSM (My Kiss 103.1). Melz began his career in sales before moving on-air at KOOC. Eventually he joined KSSM as APD/MD before moving over to KISX in NOVEMBER 2020.
- 1. What are you up to?
- Hosting and producing my syndicated Southern Soul & Blues mix show Brown Liquor Music which airs in several markets throughout the Southern region, and I’ll be producing, consulting and appearing on various audio and video podcasts. I’m also getting into more voiceovers and TV work (appeared on Music’s Greatest Mysteries On AXS TV, TMZ Live) so if you’re looking for someone with a voice for radio and a face for TV, I’m your man!
- 2. How did you end up working in the radio industry?
In the early 2000s, after being discharged from the Army, I drove OTR trucks but always wanted to work in media, so I began a content creation company called, “HotBox254” which focused on creating video content for YouTube. We had modest success to the point where we were in talks to syndicate the show to broadcast TV but ran into the problem of how to monetize our content. I was always intrigued by radio because during that time driving my truck. I would listen to stations across the country, and I felt like I could do so much better than a lot of the air talent I was listening to.
So, as a way to learn both sales and programming, I applied for a job with our local radio station (owned by Cumulus at the time) to join the sales staff. I spent a year learning the ins and outs of sales and how to monetize and sell content but at the same time, learning all I could about programming. I was let go from sales and returned to the “real world” for a year working various jobs including roofing, bartending, and general labor before I got the call to come aboard as a part-time board operator. I picked up my shift thanks to DJ Poncho who believed in my talent so much that he paid out of his pocket to buy a time on KOOC for me to host a mixshow.
After working overnight’s and midday fill-in, exactly, one year later, I was interviewing for PD for two stations in Killeen-Temple. While I didn’t get the job at that time, I stayed on as APD of KSSM and took on Midday responsibilities. I held that position for close to 6 years helping lead KSSM as its “lead local talent” to a #1 overall rating for the first time since the station launched and Townsquare promoted me to Brand Manager at KISX in Tyler in 2020.
- 3. Have you ever been tempted about going in a different career direction?
If I wasn’t doing radio, I would cash everything out and move to Hawaii and open a cold press juice bar.
- 4. What’s one of the funnier things that’s happened to you in this business?
I had to hold a PD back from fighting our syndicated morning show host who was in town for a show because the host insulted the PD’s mother on-stage in front of the audience. The PD was livid and threatened to drop his morning show the next day. But on the air the very next day, the host talked about how “awesome” the show was and how he loved the city, forcing the PD to basically keep him on the air.
- 5. Would you share the names of some air personalities you grew up listening to?
Tom Joyner, Howard Stern, Tom Leykis, Wild Wayne, Davey D, Uptown Angela, Superstar CJ Morgan, and Papa Smurf.
- 6. What are you most proud of?
I am so thankful to the Tyler-Longview and East Texas community of listeners for opening up their doors to me and not only welcoming me, but participating in all the great events we brought to the area including “Brown Liquor Music Sundays”, supporting the many concerts and events we brought including shows with Ludacris, Nelly and a bevy of Southern Soul stars, and giving back to the community with Melz Birthday Turkey Giveaway among other initiatives.
It’s for those reasons and more, we returned the brand to #1 making this the second brand I’ve lead to the top of the ratings. East Texas is a great region with amazing communities that are on the rise and I’m proud to have helped usher in new energy to help them grow.
- 7. Who have been some of your influencers and mentors?
Poncho Strickland, Shani Scott, Erik Tee, Brion O’Brion, Jamie Garrett, John “Romeo” Medina, DJ Big Bink are folks who have mentored and coached me up. All the personalities I grew up listening to influenced me in some way.
- 8. What Inspires You?
I’m a firm believer the that main competitive advantage radio has over any other medium is LIVE AND LOCAL. Connecting with the local community and serving their needs inspires me to show up every day. The great thing is, in this day and age, you can pull the world outside of the market to you if you make and create great content. One of the many reasons I like working for Townsquare Media is our focus on local content both on-air and online.
- 9. Fill in the blank: I can’t make it through the day without _______?
My family, the people who supported me through this journey.
- 10. And the best advice you’ve ever been given?
No matter what position you’re in now, “Show Up & Go To Work.” One of my mentors and I got opportunities just because someone didn’t show up or was let go and YOU were the closest body available. So yes, keep doing those “weekend/overnight” shifts. Be “Effective,” Not “Famous”.
Focus on the city you are in now instead of what the next market will be. If you love your city, they will love you back. Pick and choose your battles wisely and remain levelheaded and patient, leave your emotions out of it. It’s also just as important that you learn what not to do from the mistakes of others. Most importantly, don’t let people who have been jaded by this business discourage you from your path.