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10 Questions with ... Dewayne Blaq
July 18, 2023
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. What do you remember most about the first time you walked into a radio station?
Wow. At the time I was a hopeful rap artist, and I was blown away by the on-air guy at the time (Nippy Jones). He made things seem easy. I knew at that point radio was going to play a big part in my life.-
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started my radio career in 2000 working in promotion for ABC Radio Group @ KMEO (Memories 96.7)/Dallas/Ft. Worth. From there, I did an in-house transfer in 2001 to KESN (103.3 ESPN Radio). I then moved from Dallas to Tyler, TX in August 2003 where I was out of radio until I was hired at KBLZ on June 17, 2004 and from there I just moved up through the ranks from overnights to swing shifts to nights. I then took over middays, where I was made an APD and from there, paid the dues to finally get this wonderful opportunity to prove all the hard work was not in vain.
1. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
A pro football player and then a sports broadcaster.
2. What would you be doing now if you weren't in radio?
Probably a football or basketball coach.
3. What would you like to do better as an air personality and as a programmer?
On-Air, I want to be stronger with social media and do more posting. As a programmer, I would like to be a little more patient and develop as a leader by creating a comfortable atmosphere where my staff can speak freely about ideas with the understanding that they have my support.
4. Do you struggle budgeting time? If not, what's your secret?
Yes, I do. Along with my radio career I also have a mobile DJ business, a sound and audio business as well as a photobooth business. Managing time can be difficult.
5. What do you remember most about the first time you walked into a radio station?
Wow. At the time I was a hopeful rap artist, and I was blown away by the on-air guy at the time (Nippy Jones). He made things seem easy. I knew at that point radio was going to play a big part in my life.
6. Where is your first social media stop in the morning? Do you have a favorite place to post, personally?
My first stop is Instagram followed by Facebook. I tend to post to those two equally.
7. What would probably surprise most people about living and working in Tyler?
The friendliness of the community. Tyler is truly a laid-back place to live. The traffic would also surprise many people who think everything is slow in smaller cities. Also, the number of big-name companies that are based in Tyler is a surprise to some.
8. If you have three consecutive days off work, how are you spending your time?
On a boat or a short getaway to a beach.
9. Who were/are some of your mentors, both in radio and outside of radio?
I always put God first. I really value the people who have helped me on this journey. I will always be thankful to the late Lance "LT" Thomas for giving me my first opportunity to open the mic, I thank my bro, Lucious Ice for showing me the proper way to execute on air and I thank Dave Moreland for seeing something bigger in me to the point he has shown me how to manage talent and handle the duties of a station programmer and Benny Springer and Ken Reynolds for trusting that I can continue the level of excellence required to program The Blaze.
10. What makes being on the radio special to you?
Entertaining and connecting with listeners.
Bonus Questions
Got any hobbies?
BBQing is my passion. I also love snorkeling.
My wife is hooked on Married At First Sight and Vanderpump Rules. Got any TV reality show guilty pleasures?
I'm an Investigation Discovery junkie!
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