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

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

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

1. Is what you are doing on the cutting edge?

I’m now programming Urban Alternative radio station WNSB Radio in Norfolk on the campus of Norfolk State University. The station is owned and operated by the University.

2. Were you looking for something like this?

I had been in car sales for 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 were off the radio grid for a while?

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 always 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 hopes with this venture?

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. How about sharing the names of some of your mentors?

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. Would you please tell us where your nick name came 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. What are some of your challenges?

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. You were good on the air, do you miss it?

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. How does it feel to be a veteran programmer?

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. Any situations that you can remember that bring a smile to your face?

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.