What is the process for reviewing new music and what sort of commitment does the station have to exposing your listeners to new releases? 

KAZI plays independent and commercial music, of all genres. Often times we are contacted directly; other DJs bring artists and music into the station and system. All music shows have access to uploaded new releases, which can be presented from different shows, like the Untapped Show, which plays artists of all genres from all over the globe, in a top 10 countdown voting format. Other shows, like The Hot Pepper Show, The Gospel Shows, Jazz Shows, the Traffic Jam, Quiet Storm, Reggae, Southern Soul/Blues/Zydeco, Hip Hop, World Music Shows, and The Morning Grind do so as well. We have a lot of various formats, and DJs are able to create their own playlists based on their style of show. They all are true connoisseurs of great music, and have a great ear. We also give artists a platform for interviewing. We’ve even done live shows on air, right in the broadcasting studio.

 

Who is an artist or band that you’ve discovered in the past year or so that has become one of your favorites? What is it about their music that you love?

Lew Apollo. He entered his music on the Untapped Show. Funky and smooth. Great voice and his music has a mellow pop to it.

Do you have an all-time favorite artist or album you never get tired of listening to and find yourself always going back to?

Robert Glasper – his projects are amazing and the customization of his rendition of covers with multiple talented artists are out of this world. His musicianship and arrangement skills are staggering… I got to see him live and that really sealed the deal even more.

What upcoming 2026 release(s) are you most anticipating?

Raheem Devaughn. He has just released the Quiet Storm Lover Tome Un album. I can never get enough of this artist and his soulful melodious vocals. 

Who is an artist or band (or perhaps a few) you first heard as a kid or young adult that may have sparked your love of music and made you want to somehow be part of the music industry?

Doobie Brothers. My mother had them on an 8-track tape in her company car, a Ford Granada. When I heard their harmonies, Michael McDonald’s rich voice, and his piano playing, I would make her play songs over and over again. My favorites were, Here to Love, What a Fool Believes, and Minute By Minute. As a young, classically trained pianist, I think I was around 10, I would make my mom play the intro to Here to Love over and over again. I couldn’t describe what I was feeling, but I was mesmerized; it was like I was studying the style.

If you had the power to instantly change one thing going on in the world at the moment, what would it be?

Hate to Love. To love everyone the same and care for our neighbors, regardless of what they look like.

 

What event in your life would you say has shaped you the most as a person?

911. I lived in DC at the time, working for the Department of Health and Human Services/National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. My children were in a DC elementary school, and we were on lock down. The radio stations were in shock and there was a lot of dead air as everyone tried to figure out what was going on. When we finally got home the streets were bare and soldiers and Humvees were riding through and marching, like we were at war. It was surreal, scary, and felt like the world was coming to an end. It let me know that we are not promised tomorrow, and anything can happen at the blink of an eye to change everything as we know it. The pandemic was a rough one as well. I lost a lot of people and it was strange not
understanding what was happening around us.

If you could choose, what time period in the past would you most want to travel back to visit and why?

Elementary school. Alma Illery’s Camp Achievement, where my late grandmother was one of the founders. It was what was categorized as an escape from the Pittsburgh city life. We had so much fun there in the summers. It was beautiful, in Southwestern, PA. We would slide down the white water rapids at Ohio Pyle, pick blackberries for pie, have arts and crafts, and play fun sports, like basketball and swimming. We had Canteen Time where we could purchase icecream, bubble gum, and goodies. Every morning early, we all had to come down from our cabins and raise the flag, and say the Pledge of Allegiance and pray. We would eat and mingle in the Mess Hall; we had chores as well. We would also go visit Amish country and spend the day with them, learning about their way of life. What a great experience.   

Do you have a favorite restaurant in town that you’d recommend people try if they are ever there?

Here in Texas: Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille is one of my favs. Believe it or not, I also am crazy about Buc-ee’s Truck Stop!

What in your life brings you the most joy?

God, my family, and loved ones.

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat? (or perhaps some other pet?) Cat because a Dog requires more time. Cats are independent.

Morning Person or Night Owl? Night Owl

City or Country? Both. I like the energy of the City and the fresh stimulation of the Country.

Beach or Mountains? BOTH – born in Pittsburgh, PA where the terrain is mountainous and beautiful, and then moved during high school to Virginia Beach. I spent a lot of time at the ocean.

Watch TV or Read A Book? I love reading, but my new thing is audio books.

Sunny or Rainy? I actually love the rain. There’s something soothing and relaxing about it.

Restaurant or Home Cooking? I love to cook, but lately I’ve preferred the lazy way out – eating out.

Pants or Shorts? Pants.

Warm or Cold drinks? Hot coffee; don’t like cold coffee. But I do like ice in my cold drinks.

 

Do you have any current favorite shows you’re enjoying/binging? How about a movie (new or old) that you’ve watched recently that you loved?

Favorite shows: I’ve gone from Handmaid’s Tale to Testaments. Favorite movies: Pretty Woman and The Devil Wears Prada

Finally, If you could have a lifetime supply of anything, what would it be?

Olive Oil for my Olive Oil Spray Bottle. I know that sounds crazy but I cook with it and I always run out of it so quickly.