10 Questions with ... Erik Tee

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in Meridian at a small locally owned Gospel station. I eventually moved around in the hometown to various stations from Gospel, to Top 40 and Urban. My first major gig was afternoons on WTUG in Tuscaloosa in 1996, eventually becoming Asst. Program Director and then starting up a new Urban Hip Hop WMSU in Columbus, Mississippi, back to WTUG and then to Lake Charles for my current position. I’m now self-employed with my productions company. But I’m open to keeping this as a revenue stream with an opportunity to get back into daily programming or on air. That would include voice tracking.

1) Would you tell us about your new business venture?

My company is called Tee Tyme Productions L.L.C. I have had it for years but pushed it to the side to focus on my programming responsibilities. Now I have a little more time to work my business and really focus on what I love doing. The company is a voiceover company that focuses on imaging for Radio and Television. I love doing voiceover work as I have been doing commercials for over 30 plus years. I have a turnaround time within 24 hours and sometimes sooner if needed.

2) What’s your biggest challenge with what you’re doing now?

Obviously, there is a pool of many people who are doing what I am pursuing. However, there is also the need for a variety of voices as well. While I haven’t been around doing this like many veterans in the game. I feel like I really bring something fresh to the table. I am still involved with radio in many ways, and it gives me the chance to be on the cusp of what is trending now. Creating my own path and throwing my name into the game is difficult, as many will choose to go with what’s familiar. It is my job to offer an alternative and try and convince them to consider something new. I have personally spent some of my own money to get voices that I wanted for stations, so I know the choices out there. I am here and trust me I am reliable and wanting to help them win by any means necessary.

3) Would you share a moment in your career that you’ll always remember?

I remember moving to Lake Charles in 2001, this was my first programming opportunity, and many including those within the company I was working for at the time doubted that I would be able to adapt to the culture or the new position. I was told that Urban could never be number one in the market over the Country leader at the time. I made it my job to prove that individual wrong, and that goal was accomplished in 2018 where we not only knocked them out of the number one position, but we maintained that position for the next 3 diaries and remained relevant in either the number one or two position since then.

4) Would you share the specific services that Tee Tyme Productions provides?

I provide imaging for Radio stations, Commercials for businesses, local and national. I am looking to pursue interest in audio book narrations, movie trailers, promos for television and more. Obviously, I must crawl before I walk, but that is the end goal of what I am pursuing.

5) Do you think radio is a steppingstone to other opportunities?

Sure it can. The relationships that can be built in this business can lead to be entrepreneurs in your own right. There are many who have become successful authors, CEO’s and more and it all started from being on the radio. In some cases, in small towns where they may have been overlooked before. It is very important to build relationships and use those for other means in the future.

6) What do you miss doing when you worked in radio on a daily basis?

I was brought into this industry with the understanding that we have a commitment to the community. Unfortunately, some companies feel like you only need to connect to the community through social media, and not through the medium of touching the people. I don’t care how many likes or shares you get, there is nothing like helping a family whose home has been burned down or hearing a listener tell you how something you said on the radio, or a prize they won helped them somehow. I call it politicking with those whose support we need. I miss the crew of people that I worked with who helped to propel the stations to heights many thought to be unobtainable. However, trust me when I tell you that I love what I am doing, but radio will always be a part of my DNA.

7) Do you service online stations and podcasters?

At the moment I do a little and I’m open for working with any and everyone as long as it makes sense. I am currently the station voice for WRVZ with Program Director DJ Uncle Woody Wood in Charleston, West Virginia, and have been since October 2018. I am also the voice for online Throwback Hip Hop Radio Station “Tha Chill Factory” with Philip (DJ Big Boy Chill) Guillory, my former night guy who was a ratings killer, and I am the voice for a Throwback Hip Hop weekend show hosted by my Mentor Steve Poston. So, Podcasters and online stations are something I love doing as well. As a matter of fact, podcasting is up next for me. So, station owners terrestrial or online, let’s get it.

8) Who influenced your career?

I have run across a lot of people who have influenced me from afar and some personally. I was influenced by several personalities and programmers who gave me insight on everything from how to talk on the radio and how to carry myself in public all the way down to mixing and keeping the beat. Some influencers of mine were Aundrae Russell, Guy Black, John Anthony, Larry Carr. Bruce Mikells, Charles Anthony and Steve Poston. All of these were radio people who were very vital to the person that I am today. They basically groomed me for the current position I am in. I could write a page on how each one did, but I’ll just say thank you for what you guys did for me and the conversations that we had over the years. I can honestly say some of these people were like father figures to me and kept me on the straight path of where I am today.

9) What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Step out on faith and stop doubting yourself or your capabilities. If your talents are good enough to generate money for others, it’s good enough to generate revenue for yourself.

10) What are you most proud of?

It’s a few things. My family makes me happy because they are happy for me. My wife knows how hard I fought to get to this point, and she was right there with me updating resumes and being my biggest cheerleader. I am happy as well when I know that one of my stations did something that helped someone else. It’s a good movie where I can relax in my recliner and for a couple of hours just sit back and enjoy the moment. Finally it’s my inner peace. We live in a world where there is destruction and turmoil every day. I had to take control of my peace and realize that I can’t change how people are around me, but I can change the people around me if it means having my peace of mind.