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Tragic96.Com Personality Profile
"Nicole Anthony"
("The Accidental DJ")
Hello everyone! And I'm glad to be on the same web site as all these
incredibly talented people. And thanks to the people who brought this site
to life, keeping us all together once and for all in cyberspace! Ah,
technology! Live by it, die by it - or so it seems!
Unlike most of the folks that I share this list with, I am not a "boss jock/jockette"
who's been spinning the hits for a lifetime. Actually, before I had the
opportunity to step into the Magic studios I was just a singer, a hostess of
my own karaoke show trying like all the other singers of the world to hit
the big time. Well, as big as you can get in a karaoke bar! And it was my
desire to sing which led me to Magic.
I was a big fan of Magic - listened everyday and had heard much ado about
the Magic Band of Gold. I didn't know who was in charge of it, just that I
wanted to be a part of it! So, I called the station and talked to Marty
Thompson - program director at the time. He told me he thought the Band of
Gold was full and probably not hiring but he did have an airshift he needed
to fill. I'd never even thought about doing that kind of work but I told
him "sure, I'd give it a try!" It turned out to be the worst air-shift on
the radio and the one that no one - who knows better - wanted to do! My
first night - or morning, rather at 3am on Sunday, I was terrified and might
I say awful but I was hooked! And I couldn't believe my luck! What a sweet
gig!
I had always been a fan of "oldies", thanks to my dad who surrounded me with
great music all my life. I loved the rhythm n' blues of the early 50's, Doo-Wop
always did it for me and Elvis has been my all time favorite for as long as
I can remember. I had the opportunity to see Elvis in concert at the old
Charlotte Coliseum in 1976 and my dad even managed to get his autograph for
me. It was my intention even at such an early age to grow up and become the
next Mrs. Elvis Presley. I was devastated when he died, I cried for days
and I was only 8 years old. When I "grew up" and came to work at Magic,
Elvis just came naturally to me.
During my run with the station, I will never say that I was a great air
talent. I was good enough to keep the music going and get the weather on
twice an hour. And it turned out that at 3 in the morning on Sunday, that
was about as much as anyone would ask for! But I worked at it and slowly
but surely I'd start showing up on the air in other hours. One time, mind
you it was a holiday and really didn't count but I even did the air shift
normally occupied by the first lady of Charlotte Radio, Harriet Coffey! For
that 5 hours I was Queen of the World! Until I started getting the "Where's
Harriet" calls! But you know I'd get calls in the middle of the night from
folks asking "where's Harriet?" "Can I speak to Harriet, please?" And I
would tell these people I'd let them speak to her but she's asleep in the
back. "Well, don't bother her", one guy said! One thing's for sure about
being on in the middle of the night on a weekend, it was always
interesting! And I never knew why it was so hard to fill.
It was Elvis Week, August 1999 when I struck up a conversation with Bobby
Lane - the "Night Train" and assistant program director at the time. I made
some suggestions to him about some 'other' Elvis tunes that might work well
being played for the Tribute to the King weekend. He took my advice, in
fact, he let me choose most of the songs for the entire weekend - and that's
where it all started for me in the Elvis department, anyway. By the Spring
of 2000 Bobby and I had become pretty good buddies and embarked on our
"long-running" Elvis @ Eleven show. It was my intention just to write the
show but Bobby decided to let me "co-host" it with him. So it was, I came
in every night at 11pm to spend 10 minutes on the radio talking about
Elvis Presley! And I couldn't have been happier!
When I was asked to write a 3 hour program for Bobby and me to commemorate
the anniversary of Elvis' death I jumped right into it. I spent months
putting together the life and times of Elvis Presley from start to finish.
Jim Shafer and drive-time's Boomer were both kind enough to lend a few
thoughts of their own and I piled a few things on Kenny McClain, the
production guy, who churned out some "king-sized" goodies to add to the
sound of the show. I drove Bobby crazy with questions and changes and
concerns and then August 16th rolled around and it was show time!! I was
asked to speak of my favorite "magic memory" and this is it! I brought in
this giant poster of Elvis and lit a bunch of candles. It was our very own
"Candlelight Vigil" and we even tied it into the activities going on at the
very same time in Memphis at Graceland. Three solid hours went off without
a hitch, every phone line stayed lit and the reviews were spectacular.
Bobby was awesome. When it was over I was exhausted and more proud than I'd
ever been! WHAT A GIG! The next morning I heard Jim Shafer talking about
it in morning drive. People were calling in to say what a great show Bobby
had done the night before and wanted to know who I was. Jim spent a minute
showering us with compliments even suggesting that my show be submitted for
some kind of award. My eyes literally filled with tears and I pulled over
as not to cause a wreck! I got a call from Jack Daniel - our program
director at the time - who congratulated me on a job well done. The next
morning the calls were still coming in to Jim and Egg and they were still
talking about it. That meant a lot to me - and for a little while I felt
like a full-fledged, bonafide member of the best air staff ever put
together. Never mind that my main airshift started at 3 in the morning on
Sunday! If I never crack the mic again in radio - with those memories, I'll
be ok!
I was asked recently how I felt about Magic 96.1 and just what it meant to
me to work on a large market powerhouse. Like I said earlier, I'm not a
typical "radio person". I didn't care about ratings (although I was 2nd
once between 3 and 6am Sunday morning! - Not that it matters!). I wasn't
interested in moving up the air-shift chain nor did I care to become
something like the "next first lady of Charlotte radio". For me, my magic
experience was an amazing time in my life. It was just a lucky break that
literally led me to people and events that would change my life forever!
My other favorite "magic memory" was at the Jingle Bell Hop, 2000 at Ovens
Auditorium. I didn't have a clue it was going to happen but when we were
all being called to the stage, and it was my turn to be introduced, Bobby
Lane went to the mic and said "I asked this girl to marry me, and she said
'yes'! Nicole Anthony!" The crowd went wild and the faces on the rest of
the magic gang were PRICELESS!! No one even knew we were dating! So, I
walked to the stage, showed off my ring and surely turned ten shades of
red! Then Brother Dave was introduced after me and he came out and said
"Did you hear, Bobby and Nicole are getting married!" And the crowd erupted
again. Next it was Darren "the Big Dog" Steven's turn and he came out and
said just "I got Nicole her job at the station, Thank you." And the
crowd cheered again! And so it was, for a brief minute, the entire Jingle
Bell Hop was all about me! And it was the coolest! Not bad for an
ex-karaoke singer.
Bobby and I did get married, in February, 2001. "Loving You" by Elvis was
played at our little Gatlinburg wedding. We bought a house and filled it up
with "retro" 50's inspired furniture and a massive collection of Elvis
stuff! Ultimately, corporate America replaced my 3am Sunday morning shift
with a computer and I was no longer employed at Magic. It was ok, though.
I got pregnant - believe it or not - on "Elvis day", August 16th 2002 and in
May 2003 we were blessed with our beautiful baby boy.
Bobby is still spinning the oldies in Fayetteville, NC and I'm now a
"stay-at-home" mom. I couldn't be happier - being able to spend time with
our little son has been an amazing adventure and I'm never bored! I'm
hoping to take some classes soon and perhaps start a new career doing
something totally off the wall. As far as a radio career? I didn't give
much but I gained a lifetime! How could I ever top that?! WHAT A GIG!
To all the folks who listened - and actually knew who I was, HI!! I've
missed you! And I'd love to hear from you again. Drop me an e-mail and
let's catch up!
Sincerely,
Nicole
Editior's note: Since above was submitted, Nicole has returned to work in Real Estate at Scott Farmer Properties serving Gaston & surrounding counties. Contact her for your real estate services.