When a radio program director told Tony J to do the traffic report his own creative way, the two had no idea what it would lead to.
Tony J’s unique and humoring utterances of the word traffic at the top of his reports quickly made him, perhaps, the most popular traffic reporter in urban St. Louis radio.
He does his zany traffic report on Radio One’s Hot 104.1 FM between 6 and 9 a.m. during the Ricky Smiley (And these Nutz) Morning Show, and from during drive-time (4-6 p.m.) with Staci Static.
Now the Hot 104.1 FM radio personality has navigated the brand into the Traffic Music Awards (TMAs).
The local awards ceremony has the potential of driving more popularity, anticipation and appreciation than his inspiring traffic report could ever signal.
It honors and celebrates locals in the entertainment industry – from hot clubs and party promoters to deejays, poets, comedians and vocalists.
“I couldn’t have paid for this type of buzz,” said Tony J.
He thinks the city is ripe for an awards show and just about everyone here knows someone in the entertainment industry.
“There is a new breed of entertainment here and it’s getting better and better and there’s more to come,” Tony J said.
“We always scream ATL (Atlanta) and how we should be more like them – well, here’s an opportunity to put up or shut.”
Tony J will host the show along with fellow local comedians Donna Murray, STL Slim, Hot Sauce, Lil Roc and Eric Rivers.
Slim and Lil Roc are also nominated for Comic of the Year, up against Jessie Taylor, Darius Bradford, Arvin Mitchell.
Voting began with open nominations on MySpace. Nominees were then chosen and voting continued.
“Anyone could have been nominated and voted for – it was just a matter of people going online doing it,” Tony J said.
Comedian of the year will be a heated contest, but it isn’t the only hot one. Other categories sure to draw some fire are producer, DJ, party promoter, club, and male and female artist of the year.
Tony J admitted that the best nominees aren’t necessarily nominated and the best in the categories may not win.
Two categories already have honorees. Hot 104.1 deejay Charlie Chan Soprano will be honored with the Legend Award and Former NFL player and media host Demetrius “DJ” Johnson is receiving the Humanitarian Award.
“He helps people, including myself, and he doesn’t want anything in return,” Tony J said of Johnson.
Of Charlie Chan, Tony J said, “He’s one of those guys who was spinning music for St. Louis when St. Louis didn’t have many national artists, and he’s still doing it.”
Homage will also be paid to the late Dr. Jockenstein and Jim Gates (father of DJ Needles), credited with playing the first hip-hop record on the radio.
The show will feature performances by popular local artists and awards will be presented by local celebrities, politicians, businesspeople and media professionals.
“We didn’t take the hood approach,” Tony J said – “we wanted to make it something you could bring your family to.”
The TMAs will be held Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Roberts Orpheum, 416 N. 9th St. Doors to the show open at 5 p.m. with red carpet festivities until 7 p.m. when the show starts. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. An afterparty will be held at The Loft.
