10 Questions Revisit
10 Questions Revisit with Yvonne Daniels
Name: Yvonne Daniels
Title: PD/Afternoons
Station: WTLZ (Kiss 107.1)
Market: Saginaw, MI
Social Media Links: Instagram
Company: Alpha Media
Born: Brooklyn New York
Brief Career Synopsis: I started my commercial radio career at a local AC station right out of college in Tallahassee Florida. After cutting my teeth there for a couple of years, I got an opportunity to work at WRAL Mix 101.5 in Raleigh, NC. I moved on to WDZZ Z92.7 in Flint, MI as the Afternoon and later the Midday personality. I was also able to learn how to schedule music and where I began my Program Director grooming process. I joined KMJK Magic 107.3 in Kansas City, MO in 2005 as the midday personality and Music Director. After the economic bottom fell out in 2008 I made the transition to Program Director at WTLZ Kiss 107.1 as well as the afternoon personality. I am so thankful for my journey thus far in radio and I am excited about the future.
1) Where did you get started in this business?
I cracked open the mic at WANM 90.5 which was the jazz station at the time at my alma mater, Florida A&M University where I earned a B.A. Degree in broadcast journalism. I hosted a jazz show three days a week and served as the Community Relations manager at the station as a part of my work study fulfillment. I was on the air all 4 and a half years of college. When I graduated, I applied for a job doing overnights at a local AC radio station. I got the job. I graduated from college on a Friday and started my first commercial radio job that following Monday and I’ve been at it ever since.
2) What do you think makes radio special?
Unmatched service from the top to the bottom. For example, when the pandemic happened, we went into listener service overdrive. Back when we held several COVID-19 pop-up testing sites as well as ongoing Census 2020 collection stops to help make sure the community got all much-needed federal monies, we also were able to pivot and start using StreamYard service for our local clients and some artist interviews. Our local clients are so appreciative of the out of the box help we’ve been able to provide them during this trying time.
The dedication of the on-air staff to give listeners what they want, and need is also unmatched. From listener check-ins on the air as well as Facebook and Instagram Live, to the 2 live community talk shows that air on Sundays, listeners were able to get all of the information they needed and continue to need during this time and beyond. The station has also been a place to escape when needed with Simply the Best R&B.
3) Is there anything else you ever wanted to do other than radio?
I would love to be an entertainment reporter. I had a chance to host a television show while I was in Kansas City, MO, and I do have a degree in Broadcast Journalism so it’s still something I’d love to pursue.
4) Any memorable moments that still make you laugh?
I was at a new radio gig, and I was still trying to get acclimated to the studio board and I aired an entire conversation with a listener by accident. Someone finally called to tell me they could hear the conversation. I was grateful that it was a very pleasant and complimentary conversation on the other person’s part.
5) Who were some of your favorite air personalities that you used to love listening to?
I’m from Atlanta so when I was growing up, I loved listening to Carol Blackmon and Mike Roberts in the morning, Jerry Smokin’ B. in the afternoon, and Joyce Littel at night on V-103. l also loved listening to Melissa Summers Jump on it Doggone It’! I loved radio, but I really thought I was going to be a TV anchor when I was growing up, so I watched more television than I listened to radio. The top news anchor woman in Atlanta at the time was Monica Kaufman. She was a chocolate beauty and an incredibly talented journalist in the South baby. She is the reason I knew that I could be on television or do whatever it is I wanted to do. Representation is so important.
6) Are there any keys to handling being on air and programming?
Because there are only 24 hours in a day, it makes it challenging to give my all to everything. I love programming and I love being on the air, but sometimes I’m not able to prepare for my show like I know I should because I’m making sure the station imaging is on point as well as promotion deadlines and fires that need to be put out. However, I’m always searching for time management hacks and I’m getting better at delegating.
7) Influencers and mentors?
Some of my influencers include some of my former PDs like Steve Reynolds when I was at WRAL. He was committed to helping me grow with weekly aircheck critique meetings. They were painful at the time, but so necessary, and so helpful. Also, former PD’s including Jerold Action Jackson who taught me how to schedule music and who took a chance on me in Kansas City, MO. Thanks Jerold! He really believed in me. Shout out to Chris Reynolds who hired me at my first Adult R&B station. I had been working at AC stations before that. I’ve also admired and been influenced by not only the talent, but the generosity and compassion of personalities like Porsche Foxx who is not only one of the best to ever do it, but she’s always giving back to the community and so down to earth. She encouraged me early on in my career and I never forgot that. And I can’t forget Melissa Summers. She is so talented, and she has such a beautiful spirit. She also encouraged me early on in my career and she was always available to help me when I needed her to.
8) How do you see the future for this business?
Radio has survived some tumultuous times, and many have counted radio out. I remember a music producer I know once saying that satellite radio would be the demise of terrestrial radio. However, as you can see, radio remains a mainstay in this fight. I think radio is finally realizing that it needs to meet the listeners where they are like Instagram, Facebook, podcasts, streams, and all of the platforms that are yet to come. I think the more local the radio station can be, the better. If radio can continue to be open and progressive it’s thinking, then I think it has a bright future ahead.
9) What you’re most proud of?
I’m proud of my upbringing. I have the best mom a daughter can have. My upbringing has been so instrumental in the way I have moved throughout my life, and it has helped me to make some great decisions and avoid some pitfalls. I’m also proud of my husband and my son and the family we’ve created. They are my greatest supporters. I’m proud of my career and the path I’ve been able to carve out, with the help of the Lord. I’m proud of being a Black woman programmer. That is huge and I hope to see even more women programmers in the future because we need them. I’m proud of my 2019 Gracie Award from the Allied Women in Media Foundation. What an honor. I’m truly grateful and humbled. To sum it up, I’m proud of my journey.
10) What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
When I was growing up, the pastor’s wife of the church I attended was the first lady of all first ladies. She directed the children’s choir I was in for a few years. Mrs. Ivory Shepherd was her name, and she was so wise and compassionate. As you can see, she made quite an impact on my life and I always remember her saying to be careful what you say because thoughts are things and words have power.