Roxanne Steele, radio host WYCD

Nicole Thompson conducted this interview with Roxanna Steele on September 9, 2017. Roxanne is a midday radio host living in Detroit, Michigan for 99.5 WYCD.

Roxanne Steele career began her career as a afternoon host for Fresh 105.9 in Chicago in 2009. Since then she has held radio host jobs at several large radio stations. Her career with CBS Radio began at 98.7 Amp Radio Detroit. At 98.7 Roxanne was a midday host and also worked on program duties such as daily blogs, social media, live events, and charity events. Currently Roxanne is a midday radio host for CBS Radio Detroit working for two legendary stations, 99.5 WYCD and 104.3 WOMC. Roxanne states “This is my first time working country and the greatest hits format, I’m looking forward to taking my experience as a top 40 DJ and having some fun with a brand new audience!”

NT: If you could describe Detroit’s music scene in a few sentences, what would you say?

RS: I would say that the music scene is gritty and authentic, hungry and raw.

NT: What genres would you say are most popular in Detroit?
    
RS: I feel like Detroit has a wide variety honestly, and it depends on what side of town you are on.  There is a huge underground dance/edm scene, blues and rock, country and rap.
 
NT: What are some popular music festivals in your area?
     
RS: Movement is a very popular music festival in Detroit, EDM music artist perform at this festival. Faster Horses is another popular festival in Detroit, this is a country music festival. There is also the “Detroit Jazz Fest” which is very popular in Detroit.
 
NT: What would you say your audiences is for your radio station?

RS: At 99.5 WYCD we play the top country hits as well as country throwbacks. Country has a WIDE audience. This genres audience might include, females and males from teens to older adults. With country music you can always find a wide range of fans. Concert attendees may be anywhere from a family with toddlers, teenagers, or grandparents at a concert together enjoying the show.
 
NT: What genres tend to play most on your radio?
      
RS: I listen to everything! I love throwbacks, hip hop, EDM, country, pop.

NT: What local artists are most popular now?
RS: In country specifically some of the most popular artist would be Matt Austin, Audrey Ray, Kat Beal,  to name a few.

NT:  Are there any artist who are up and coming currently?

RS: Certainly in the gospel genre, artists like Isabel Davis and Bryan Popin; In the R&B and Hip Hop genre that would be Migos, Sam Smith and maybe Childish Gambino.

NT: Who would you say your favorite artist is currently?

RS: In country I LOVE Maren Morris and Carly Pearce is hot on the rise! There is honestly to many to choose from. Country music is the truth.  Every artist pours their heart and soul into their music.  There’s not a bad song or album out their right now.  
NT: Does your station have a list of top most played hits?
 
RS: Yes, we have a countdown show every Saturday morning. Dustin Lynch ‘Small Town Boy” is our most played song this week on 99.5 WYCD.
 
NT: What are some popular venues in Detroit that artist play at?
 
​RS: There are so many great venues in Detroit! Downtown alone, you have the Fox Theater, Fillmore Detroit, St. Andrews Hall, Majestic Theater, Masonic Temple and the new Little Caesars Arena. Plus we have the Motor City Casino, and MGM Grand that do shows. Also DTE, Freedom Hill and Meadowbrook Amphitheater.  Coyote Joes is a local country bar that puts on shows. The Palace is closing it’s doors at the end of the month but a great venue that’s hosted so many great tours through the year.

NT: Does your station hold any events to promote the music scene in Detroit?

RS: We host tons of events throughout the year. We pretty much host a concert one or two times a week. We also have our annual “Hoedown” every summer plus our Ten Man Jam in the winter. CBS Radio in Detroit just built a new broadcast studio downtown called “MusicTown Detroit” where we bring by bands and artist for interviews and private shows. It’s located inside Hockeytown Café on the second floor.

NT: Is there anything more you would like to share with me that might help me to better understand the music scene in Detroit?
RS: This city loves live music!  You can check out a show in any genre of music any given night of the week.  It is the one thing you can count on to do in Detroit.

NT: Lastly, I would like to ask you if I could have your permission to post this interview after I annotate it to our classroom blog. I can send you a copy of the interview before I post it on the blog? 
RS: Sure! Thanks for having me.