Personalities

Big Sy

Saeed “Big Sy” Huff – was born in Minneapolis, MN to two Twin Cities native musicians Debra Pierro and Kenny Warmsley. Sy’s father was a recreational drummer and well known throughout the community, and mother sang and danced in various productions as she cultivated her talents with the then up and coming local music group, “The Sounds of Blackness”. Sy moved away from the Twin Cities with his family at the age of 12 where he lived and finished school in the Tidewater Area of Virginia (Norfolk/Virginia Beach). Having lived and worked in Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, and Arizona, Sy initially returned back to his home in Minneapolis at the age of 21 and began working in radio at KMOJ. Sy has hosted various Hip-Hop and R&B radio shows at KMOJ over the past 13 years while residing in the Twin Cities. As the third member of his family to dedicate himself to CCD/KMOJ Radio, Sy acquired and followed the longtime KMOJ radio dreams of paternal uncle “Shahied Nuriddin” (deceased 8/20/1991), and maternal uncle “Charles (Bowleggs) Pierro”. As a former National Oratorical Competitor, and former member of the Virginia State Choir, Sy has been both a lifelong scholar and lover of music of many genres. Culturally educated with deep roots in North Minneapolis by maternal grandmother and avid CCD/KMOJ supporter and community leader, (the late) Eunice L. Pierro, Sy attributes much of his sense of family, culture, and community to his late grandmother. Sy enjoys spending time with family and good friends. He enjoys good music, good BBQ’s, bowling, boxing, Vikings Football, and of course – “there is nothing like Minnesota Fishing!”

Lisa Moy

Lisa D. Moy was born in the city of brotherly love Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and relocated to Chicago,Ill at the tender age of 8 years old! As a child Lisa showed a great deal of interest in the arts which included music,dancing,theatre and drawing! Lisa started writing short stories and poetry at a young age,she found that as a positive outlet and a form of therapy where she could express her creativity! Being raised in Chicago introduced Lisa to a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities! Lisa’s love for music developed early in her life, father Gerald Moy and mother Lisa M. Moy would play Four Tops,Spinners,Temptations,Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder,Stephanie Mills, Aretha Franklin,Teddy Pendergrass amongst many others at home! Lisa and her Older sister Monique S. Moy would put on dance performances in their living room for family and friends! While in grade school and highschool Lisa participated in different forms of dance as well as singing soprano in her church choir! Lisa attended Stillman College in Tuscallosa,Al where she majored in business management with a minor in communications! Lisa now calls Minnesota home since her move to the twin cities in 2003! Lisa enjoys sharing the stage with her sister while hyping up the crowd she also enjoys working with children and acts as a mentor to a dozen of teenage young ladies! Lisa joined the KMOJ family in September 2009 and believes she has found her calling! Lisa has a deep love for people,music and life ! On her leisure time she enjoys spending time with friends and family,writing poetry ,canvas painting,styling,playing scrabble ,traveling and reading! Lisa stays prayed up and finds a positive outlook in every situation! Favorite quote:”Love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody is watching and work like you don’t need the money”-Satchel Paige

Miss Georgia

Miss Georgia, born Georgia Ellyse McClellon, started in performing arts at an early age. She was starring in church plays in elementry school and continued on to be featured in Penumbra Theater’s 2005 summer Institute performance. In addition to performing arts Miss Georgia has always enjoyed writing, painting, drawing and the therapy of ceramics. With an undeniable love for art and music Miss Georgia found herself in her 3rd year of college in 2008 at the University of Saint Thomas with no artistic outlet. Through her desire to be connected to what is most meaningful to her, Miss Georgia began hosting an online radio show at Saint Thomas where she found tremendous satisfaction and so decided to pursue an internship with KMOJ. KMOJ seems to be the happy medium for Miss Georgia, as KMOJ is the only place in the metro area which ties music with any and all local entertainment, yet still strives to serve the community. With Miss Georgia’s current position at KMOJ she is able to not only be connected to music but also able to develop as an On-Air Personality which contributes to building a professional reputation for herself in the entertainment industry. As, the On-Air light goes off Miss Georgia fulfills her goals of serving the community by actively occupying the president chair of the board of director’s of a non-profit organization in Saint Paul and by working closely with local politicians on various campaigning objectives. Miss Georgia looks forward to starring on a local TV network cooking show, publishing her own book, owning her own business and being featured in local art exhibits.

Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr.

Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. was born in the great state of Minnesota and graduated from North High School, class of 1977. He has worked at KMOJ for over 28 years and has held various positions; on air-announcer doing all shows, blues, reggae, gospel, hip-hop,morning show, middays, afternoon drive, late night and over night. He has experience being the music director, community liaison, program director and assistant station manager. He is currently the Operations Coordinator and hosts drive time. He has appeared in various nationally music videos, DVD’s, biographies, books, and MC’s various events in Minnesota as well as across the U.S. He is a model for men’s big and tall fashions and enjoys golfing, fishing, bowling.

Crstyle

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Crstyle came to Minnesota in 1998. He graduated from Brown College with a degree in communications/broadcasting in 2004. He began his internship for (KDWB) and (B96), but it was with 89.9 KMOJ that he was given his first break and hasn’t looked back since. He began as the Saturday Night DJ, After two years in the making, he has become one of the most respected on-air personalities in the Twin Cities.
Friday from 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Caddy

Caddy was introduced to broadcasting in 1975 were he developed a passion to become an on-air announcer. He enjoys all music, however he says his personality is a reflection of the music he plays. Caddy wishes to take his listeners back to a time and place when men weren’t afraid to express themselves through love songs. Being part of KMOJ enables him to grow and manifest his personality personally and professionally, says Caddy. He says he looks forward to continuing his growth and serving his audience for years to come.

Charles Dennis

African Roots Connection

Ras Bongo Jerie

RootsIre/tropikalvibes fiesta”….1980-2008…..musik/news and info. from the caribbean central and latin america………….. .”bongoman”/Rasbongo- jerie from Antigua and St. Kitts in the sunny caribbean…….. Hubbard Broastcasting/k.S.T.P Radio and television 1978-1988…..broadcast journalism/investigative reports and mass – communications……… “musik and performing-arts is my life/one love cool-runnins” Rbj.

Dj Divine

DJ Divine born Donnell Bolden, a native Californian raised right here in the Twin Cities has always been a fan of music. After doing house party’s for about 12 years I finally struck out to make it big with KMOJ Radio now I am proud to host the show “Classic Hip -Hop” Saturdays 12:00 Noon till 2:00 pm. Word UP!!

Dj Dan Speak

Taking you back to bell bottoms, afros and Saturday night skate parties it ’s“The Throw Back Throw Down” with D. J. Dan Speak and Disco T!
Saturdays from 6 to 10pm

Marciano

Marciano was born and raised in South Minneapolis, and grew up listening to 89.9 KMOJ when Otis “The Entertainer” was on air along with “Q-bear” and “Bo-Legs”. Now in 2010 as the new Production Director and On-Air personality of the “Weekend Groove” 2pm-6pm every Saturday, Marciano has the chance he has been waiting for, to breathe a youthful fresh sound on the mic and bring it to the Twin Cities!!!! Marciano is also locally known for his “Hip-Hop” music and for promoting outstanding events/concerts. While sharpening his ear and musical talents, Marciano decided to go to school and earn his degree in Communications/Broadcasting at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN.

Chaz Millionaire

jazz

Ray Richardson

In 1997, Richardson joined KMOJ-FM (89.9), the Minneapolis urban adult contemporary station. In November of 1998, Richardson became the host of “Back In The Day,” an R&B oldies show that airs on Sunday nights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.The show is devoted to hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s — hits by legendary artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, the Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Kool & The Gang, the Isley Brothers, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Isaac Hayes and many more. The show has since become a highly popular program. Richardson has helped the show reach as high as No. 8 in Arbitron ratings for its time slot.

Soni D

mixing since 1980, Soni D began as a gospel DJ on WKKC in Chicago where he learned to mix using gospel records because the other DJ’s at the station wouldn’t let him use their music. Who would’ve known that mixing gospel would lead to mixing on the top stations around the world. Soni’s first exposure on a major radio station was when Hot Mix 5 DJ, Kenny Jason got caught in a snow storm and couldn’t make to then, WBMX, to deliver his hour mix. Having one prepared, cause you never know, PD Marco Spoon aired Soni’s mix as a last minute replacement. Later that same year, Soni relocated to Memphis, Tn and got a break when KRNB PD Melvin Jones heard Soni mixing in a local night spot and decided to create the South’s first radio mix show. The first mix was recorded at Hi Recording studios, the legendary studio when Al Green recorded all of his hit songs. Dubbed, The Budweiser, Club No-Name Saturday Night Dance Party, Soni D mixed on KRNB for two years before moving to K-97, 93.3 fm for Soni D’s House Express in 1987. Returning to Magic 101 in 1988, mixing was the new radio sensation and Soni D was at the top of his game we he joined forces with Cutler Productions in L.A. to create Mix America, the world’s first syndicated Mix Show. Aired on Powerhouses like, Power 99 in Philadelphia, K104 in Dallas, Magic 102 in Houston, WGCI in Chicago, KJLH in Los Angeles, KCEP Las Vegas, KDKO Denver, Kiss 104 Atlanta, 32 other Stations across America and Stations in Yokohama & Nagasaki Japan, Mix America (renamed Soni D’s Urban Mix in 1994) has been on air for 22 years.