10 Questions with ... Michael “Heart Attack” Mauzone

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Radio WOWI, WSVY, WSVV, WBHH, DJ, and Car Salesman.

1. What are you working on?

I’m now programming WNSB Radio in Norfolk on the campus of Norfolk State University. I’m also still deejaying events all around Hampton Roads. One big show is every August in Virginia Beach call “Funk Fest.”

2. What led you to WNSB?

I have been in car sales for the last sixteen years. All the while, I continued to be in the clubs, keeping my ear to the streets. When I saw the job posting for WNSB online, I thought about it and decided to go for it.

3. You fell off the radio radar for a long time?

My main paycheck for the last several years has come from the car business, but all the while I have stayed on top of things. I have maintained contact with record labels, and I have been deejaying in clubs up and down the East Coast since leaving WOWI-FM.

4. What are your goals?

In general, my goals are to reach and teach others, so that they become the best in whatever profession they choose. That may be radio, television or even sales, I want to help others achieve their dreams.

5. Would you share some names of people who’ve helped with your career?

Chester Benton formerly of WRAP-AM, Steve Crumbley formerly of WOWI and WSVY, Janet Armstead, also of WOWI and WSVY, and Bob Fields of the Broadway Nightclub. There are so many more people whose names escape me right now. All of my mentors helped me expand on my talents and they taught me to believe in myself.

6. Where did your nickname come from?

I got my nickname from Booker T. Washington High School when people were calling me “Stroke,” because I walked extremely fast. I didn’t feel comfortable with the name “Stroke,” so I changed it to “Heart Attack” because I knew no one would choose that name as a DJ.

7. How are you handling some of the new ways of radio in 2020?

Playing catch up with some of the newer technologies. Things have changed so much from the time I left WOWI in Norfolk. The good part about it is that the students on campus are on top of it and have helped me get up to speed.

8. Do you miss being on the air?

Yes, I missed doing my mixes. When I did my mixes, it was fun. I would get so many responses from people on the street. People would tell me that I made their day or some would say I got them to work on time. I really enjoyed it. Hopefully soon, my mixes will be on the air here at WNSB.

9. You’ve programmed for several years, haven’t you?

10 plus years at WOWI WSVY and WBHH. It was great because WBHH was the very first all Hip-Hop station in the nation. Little did we know back then -- that Hip-Hop would become such a force in music and the culture of our society.

10. Do you have a funny radio memory you can share?

One of the regional promotional music reps had a record that I told him would not reach the top 5, it stalled at #9. He was very upset and to this day we still laugh about it.