Ragan Whiteside, WCLK

As a recording artist, one of the main goals is to get your music on the radio. I remember the first time I heard one of my tunes on WHCR 90.3 FM with Gary Tann, New York. Gary hosted a late-night radio show and I was floored when I heard Gonna Fly, floating through the speakers in my car. It was a high I never felt before and

I was determined to have that feeling, again. After many years of training, practicing, recording, hustling, and networking, I gained traction with steady airplay, nationwide. I learned about how music is added to the rotation, cycles, and charts. I learned from the perspective of a recording artist. So, when Program Director David Linton from WCLK 91.1 FM in Atlanta called to ask if I would audition for an on-air spot, I jumped at the opportunity. Suddenly, I was on the other side of radio, learning how to talk to thousands of listeners as though I’m talking to someone sitting next to me. I was finding my onair personality voice without being able to talk with my hands!

I learned to operate the board, and how and when to cue up songs. I saw everything through the eyes of a DJ.

My first day was nerve-wracking. I am thankful for the support of everyone at the station. Once I got past my first-day, no, first-month jitters, I dug in and listened to music, differently. I paid attention to starts and endings and how songs complimented each other in the set. I was exposed to so much music! I recognized artists I never heard of and heard B-sides from legacy artists. It was ear-candy overload in such a good way.

I have been on the air for a year and I learn something new every time I sit in front of the microphone. The radio experience enhanced my rapport with the audience when I perform. There are many things I love about broadcasting, but one of the things I love most is the chance to give independent artists more exposure. If I can give one person the chance to feel what I felt when I heard my music on the radio for the first time, that’s a win!

Ragan Whiteside is a Soul-Jazz flautist, vocalist, composer, cofounder of the Randis Music record label. She is a Billboard #1 artist, living in Atlanta. She has five solo albums with #6 coming in 2022. Ragan can be heard every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST on WCLK 91.9 FM. Log on to www.wclk.com