10 Questions with ... Brandy "Beasy Baybie" Henshaw

1) Do you think there are enough opportunities out here?

Radio is radio. If you've got a position keep it, I'm always told it's easier to get a job when you've already got one, and positions don't open up often. That may make it difficult for on-air talent that desire to advance in market size, station position or title. It can be discouraging at times, especially for talent who desire constant growth.

However, I also believe there is a door always opened for the person meant to go through it. Timing is everything and divine purpose trumps all.

Today, most opportunities are self-made -- outside of the regular studio programming. On-air talents are creating events for the station and other personalities to be involved in. I've been instrumental in developing community-driven events such as a Christmas day service to feed the homeless, Thanksgiving dinner drive ... where an entire Thanksgiving spread is supplied to local underprivileged families, back-to-school drives, and local school events. As well as being a part of creating revenue sharing opportunities for the company to be involved in through my own personal relationships.

2) What things are you working on these days?

I just self-published my very first 'short' book, titled "That Night, I Died" for sale on Amazon and in Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.

I am launching a podcast this spring. The podcast will give my "fans" and friends a deeper look into who I am and my thoughts on current events and situations. Segments could cover awards shows, politics or another "only my kid" moment I've endured -- LOL. A way of opening up a little more to my followers/listeners, in a more candid way, without giving regard to the clock.

I'm a television correspondent for local news stations and I co-host an entertainment segment on WACH FOX every Monday morning at 7:40a.

I am also in a film that will be released this spring titled, "Forgiveness," and I've got some speaking engagements lined up as well.

I am a motivational speaker, sharing my story with others as often as possible. I'm listed on the Great Black Speakers website and have shared a part of my journey with people from all walks of life. I have been invited to speak at The Walter Reed Army Institute in Maryland, VA college graduation program, elementary, middle, and high school programs as well. I have also shared my journey in group homes, juvenile facilities, and adult prisons and jails. It's important that people see how possible changing direction in life is. When they hear my story of foster child and ward of the state, to homeless teen and teen mom, eventually leading a life of crime and facing more than 25 years in prison; it gives most a different outlook on choices and God. I share being a convicted felon openly, because I want people to see the possibilities that exist for those who lead a positive life and work hard at changing themselves and their environment. I'll be traveling to Pennsylvania in March to speak to children that reside in the group home where I spent some of my teen years.

3) What's the book about?

The book gives a brief glimpse into my childhood and some of the abuse I endured. It also allows a peek at my early adult life and an experience I encountered in prison. It is a short book based on true moments of my life and what lead me to want more; as well as how I began to go about achieving it. The book has a journaling component in the last pages, allowing the reader to take a look inside of themselves, encouraging them to reflect on what they have experienced in life that may be preventing them from becoming their greatest.

The book is a look at pieces of me, but is truly about the reader. It is short in length but filled with passion and power. My intention was not just to write a book that people would buy; it was to write a book people would actually read and take something from.

4) When you are not doing radio, what do you do?

I spend a lot of time just being a mom. I began having children very young so it's a little weird to say out loud, LOL, but I'm a mother of four daughters ages 21, 18, 16 and 11. Thankfully, my eldest attends college in Pennsylvania so she doesn't show up at my club nights - LOL.

I also spend a lot of time serving the community, I really enjoy adding to the lives of others in any way possible. Not just locally; I've coordinated community relief efforts for Skid Row in LA. Also taken relief aid to those affected by hurricanes in Fayetteville, NC and Houston. I don't limit my reach to my area code; we should do whatever we can, whenever we can.

When I'm not with my family at home, or serving my community family, I'm thinking of other ways to grow. Creating more opportunities to generate revenue, traveling to shadow people that I admire in radio, and taking advantage of any opportunity to learn or network with others in the entertainment industry. I also spend a lot of time on social media, it's the easiest way to touch many -- quickly.

Can I insert a shameless plug here? LOL ... follow me!!! @BeasyBaybie on all social media.

I rarely break or rest, so I usually get vacation opportunities as gifts, so I can be found forced to relax around my birthday in July.

5) Who have been some of your influences?

In radio: I truly admire Angie Martinez -- she's the G.O.A.T to me, as far as female on air talent goes. Her interview skills are unmatched, and she's naturally built organic relationships in the industry. Charlamagne Tha God is one other on-air personality I admire. He uses his platform in a big way and has shared his radio journey openly. He's unapologetically himself, and listeners either love or hate him for it, but it's real either way.

Can I just throw some other names out there? These folks encourage me, and have not ever said, "please stop emailing, messaging, and calling me" ... yet, LOL. They influence me and show me what's possible, as well as giving me feedback to help me become a greater talent!

Colby Colb - Urban One, Mary K - Urban One, Big Mike - Cumulus, Jeff "Uzi" Anderson - Beasley, Mark McCrazy - Urban One, Terri Thomas - Urban One, Don Chris "DJ Wrekk-1" - Alpha Media, Bill Black - Urban One, Geo Cook - Service Broadcasting, and Mike Love - Blue Tag Media Inc.

Outside of radio, one of my biggest influencers has been my maternal grandfather. I don't remember much about him, but one of the greatest things I do recall was his willingness to do whatever it took to follow what he felt he was created to do. He was pretty well off due to a business he owned part of. However, he felt a greater calling was on his life. So, he sold his part of the business and went to theology school. Eventually becoming the long-time pastor of a church in Charlestown, WV. He would invite members of the community and church to eat dinner at his table with his family. One story I recall finding in an old newspaper online, was a story of him and a friend of his helping some Cambodian immigrants find refuge in the country; obtaining housing and jobs. He would also dress up on Christmas and go inside prisons to bring cheer to the inmates. He encourages me to keep my big heart beating, no matter how cold the world may seem; and to live my truth, at all costs.

Oddly enough, I'm heavily influenced by the old me and my past life. Not to go back, but to keep pushing forward; to recognize personal growth and not be so hard on myself about what's left to obtain. Reflecting encourages me to continue to believe in the unbelievable, keep a positive outlook, and to remain solid about all the possibilities that exist with hard work and faith.

6) Why do you like being on the radio?

I like having the opportunity every day to make someone else's day better. I have had people message me saying they were having a horrible day and something I said on-air changed that; or playing a song that took them to another time in their life and put a smile on their face. I've had kids call up to celebrate getting on the honor roll; there is something amazing about hearing the joy in their voices as their excitement hits the airwaves letting the entire community now know how hard they worked this semester. It really is a privilege to be able to sprinkle positivity on people every day with a microphone.

I am a lover of Hip-Hop as well, so having the opportunity to be able to be directly involved in the Hip-Hop culture is huge!

7) How did you get your start in radio?

I had just moved to Charlotte, NC, was driving my youngest daughter to school, and looking for a radio station. I came across WGIV 103.3FM with a commercial playing "Do you think you have what it takes to be the next on-air star?" I thought I had what it took, so I called the number. BJ Murphy interviewed me and told me I could come on as an intern. I did so and would do whatever was required. I answered phones, was a sales person, created content, sat in meetings ... whatever. To me, what was important was that I was in the building. I knew I would do whatever was required to learn the rest, and I did. I became the co-host of The BJ Murphy Morning Show and his executive producer. I also went on to have my own Saturday night show on the same station called "Hip-Hop Hysteria." I would run the board for other shows there as well. I was at WGIV for about a year, before hearing about a midday opportunity (through Terri Avery's husband Chris Clay) about an hour away in Columbia, SC. With a great recommendation from BJ Murphy, I was hired by Chris Connors, for the midday position in Columbia, SC on Hot 103.9FM. I began middays in Oct 2013 and was moved to afternoon drive in Jan 2015. I have been in that position since.

8) Has radio changed since you got into it?

When I began, my job was mostly on-air. I posted on my own social media because I've always loved social media and how inviting and engaging it is. Today, on-air is still a large part of my job, but a really big part of my job now is to blog on the website and to keep the listener engaged everywhere! Which means radio has to sound good and look good! The "face for radio" thing is no longer applicable - LOL. The website needs new content daily, several times. The social media sites need to be current and inviting as well. I have to create new ways to keep the listener locked in to the radio but also checking for us online. This is not a new position or title; it's an addition to my current role. That's pretty universal for radio today. Most on-air talent I know do this organically ... at least most of the younger radio talent anyway.

9) How do you see the future of radio?

I could see radio becoming "on demand." Where the listener could use their touch screen radio to change the playlist and have more control over what they hear. Sort of a merge between a Pandora and radio as we know it.

Radio is going to get more and more visual. Talk breaks will get shorter and shorter on-air. I can also see on-air talent being more programmed in some companies, less natural. I'll even go as far as saying less on-air talent in the building, and even more of one machine running many stations. I think over time, those companies will see the loss attached to removing live bodies.

People love real people, the identifying with someone who goes through things they go through. Most stations in the same genre of music, play pretty much the same artists. What sets the station apart is the style in which it's programmed and the talent on the station. Nothing trumps having a real person to answer the phone when you call with a request or being able to hear someone on the radio and also see them in your local clubs or community events.

I'm gonna show a little more of my personality with this one, but have you seen the sex dolls all over social media? Let's say stations that don't have live and local personalities in the building are the "sex doll" of radio; they can get the job done but there's nothing like the real deal!

10) Would you share with us the funniest moment you've ever had in radio; on the air, around the station or at a personal appearance of remote?

Funniest moment in radio ... I have many! One was when I spelled out an artist's name instead of pronouncing it as a whole, another was when I forgot to pod down the board and was live on air having about three to four conversations with co-workers and callers. I only knew I was live when Twitter followers began to tweet "Beasy, we can hear everything you're saying on the radio" Thanks, social media ... LOL.

Another funny/scary moment was when I received a 10-page letter from an inmate professing his love for me. In the letter he gave me his mother's address and info as well as his real inmate ID and a few playing cards, King and Queen of hearts (insert scary face emoji here). My co-workers convinced me that you don't know you've made it until you get a love letter asking for your hand in marriage from an inmate ... momma, I've made it!

What was your last non-radio job?

My last non-radio job was in a factory. I ran machinery and drove a forklift. It was located in Reading, PA. and was the only place I could get hired in that city. I was only months out of prison and had no real job history. It taught me a lot in terms of doing what you have to do until you can do what you want to. I began the job working second shift, and as a single mother that was a big sacrifice, but a necessary one. Eventually, I worked myself up to the first shift position. I was there a year before the factory completely shut down, that occurrence is what pushed me to relocate to Charlotte, NC. Also, beginning my career in radio.