10 Questions with ... Randi Myles

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I'm a Motown Radio Chick who has managed to love what I do for over 30 years.

1) Name the cities and places you've worked?

I've spent my entire career in the Motor City! I've had opportunities, but none good enough to leave Detroit. So the real story is that I've worked about every format but country and classical ... starting off at a contemporary Christian station to a Lite Rock station, Oldies, Jazz and then it gets kind of hazy from there. I've criss-crossed back to a few of them and have even done news/traffic/weather/sports reporting; all in Detroit.

Here's the rundown:

• 103.5 WMUZ/AM 1340 WEXL - Crawford Broadcasting
• 93.1 WLTI LITE FM
• 105.9 WJZZ
• MIX 92.3 WMXD
• WGRV "The Groove" 105.1 and then again as WMGC Magic 105.1
• 105.1 WDMK when it was KISS 102.7 and back to 102.7 as Praise FM 5-years ago

2) What question do your colleagues ask you the most?

How in the world have you managed to stay in the business? To that I say, "Learn it all!" This business can be fleeting. But while you're in it ... learn all you can about all departments. Even the front desk -- yep, done that too! -- because "knowledge is power," as they say.

3) Congratulations, on your new position, what's your vision for the station?

I'm from Detroit so I want the station to reflect that. That means being out and about in the community on a regular basis. Not just the church community, but metro Detroit.

Also, keeping Praise Detroit in forward motion ... we're five years old ... people are just getting "used" to us being here. Now it's important to keep them coming by joining them in the community and giving them compelling content to listen to daily.

4) How do you see the future of radio?

Radio will always be in the fabric of society, but it will have to continually merge with other "competition." I'm not talking about satellite radio necessarily, but Internet radio, podcasting, blogs and social media. All elements need to be a part of a radio outlet. If not, they will get lost and disappear.

5) What's your favorite thing about being an air personality?

Speaking my mind. :) Also, I was told a long time ago, after complaining about where I was working, "If you are not here to positively impact at least one person a day, you're in it for the wrong reason and should probably look for another job." Ouch ... lesson learned.

6) What's the right term, is it Gospel or Inspirational?

Ha ... both! We play gospel music that inspires the churched and the "unchurched." I don't mean that negatively but there are a lot of listeners who won't go to church for whatever reason, but will listen to Praise 102.7 to be uplifted and inspired. Also, there are artists such as Patti LaBelle, India.Arie, Whitney Houston and even Earth, Wind and Fire that have Inspirational music. They are included in what we play.

7) How did you get started in programming?

It was an organic progression for me. My first station was WMUZ where I ended up in production, but in that position, I had a direct connection with talent and sales. Later at 93.1 I was a MD and learned under great programmers such as Bob Kaake, Dave Beasing and Brad Waldo the value of consistency, positioning, and promotions.

I also taught at the Specs Howard School of Media Arts a couple of times as a teacher and Assistant Director of Education. That experience taught me management skills and working with all kinds of personalities.

I've worked as a promotion director and ops manager and I'm probably forgetting something. I seem to have always worked my way into different leadership roles wherever I've worked. I'm just cut like that. I want to know everything.

8) Could you explain the importance of working in different departments of a station?

It goes back to what I get asked the most. If you're new to the biz and you aspire to go on the air ... go to a small station, go on the air, learn the sales department, learn promotions, learn news/weather/sports and traffic because somewhere down the line ... you're going to use it. The more you know the more you're an asset rather than a liability.

9) Have there been any jobs outside of commercial radio that have helped your career?

My teaching experience at Specs Howard is one of those jobs. I wouldn't know how to deal with the inner workings of stations, personalities, budgets or anything else without that experience. But also, one of my very first jobs was as a collection for the gas company. I'd call and tell them their gas would be cut off in five days if they didn't pay their bill or make arrangements. After I got cussed out, I'd also be told, "you have a great voice" or "you should go into radio."

10) Would you share with us those who have influenced or mentored you?

First off, Dick Kernen at Specs Howard who has always had my back throughout my career! Then there's my haters; I always thrive off of people who say, "You can't do that." So, when an uncle told me radio is too hard of a career for black women and that I should go to school to be "a secretary or something," I used that as fuel to go for it. Eventually he was super proud of me and bragged to his circle about my career.

An ex-boyfriend was also a motivator ... but that story has a best-selling book or screen play waiting to be written so let's just leave it; he was dismissed.

What would surprise people about you?

Oh, that one of my cousins was author Alex Haley, that NBC's Lester Holt's grandfather and my grandfather were brothers ... and that I'm quite the recluse when I get home and away from the mic.

Have you had any memorable moments in this business?

Has to be the day I sobbed uncontrollably when meeting Teddy Pendergrass. He was on a book tour and I had the honor of hosting a book club party. While introducing him I lost it ... I think I made him super-uncomfortable.