Goodbye Chicago….

When things ended for me at B96 I wasn’t able to write this letter. Although I did blog about it when it happened, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Chicago. Did you catch that on roxannesteele.com?? Unfortunately when I redid my web site, all of my blogs went missing in the process. Kind of like the air check you can’t get from the greatest radio show you just had. I hate when that happens!! I have so much to say and so much to be thankful for. I may never have this great of a radio experience again although I’m hopeful that I will. I’ve been through a lot so I know that I’m one lucky girl. You can read more about my adventures in my new book, “Girl Behind The Mic” sure to entertain you, inspire you and shock you! You know I won’t hold back, you should all be very afraid!! How’s that for squeezing in my latest project?? I feel like a rapper at an award show, “Yo, pick up my latest joint!” I was born to sell whatever product needs to be pushed. Maybe I should pursue radio sales, which might work out for the better. No wait, I prefer wearing DJ clothes.

When I came to work at B96 I was young and out of control! I secretly long to be that crazy girl again but thank God I lived it when I had the chance. I remember B96 had one of their Friday night street mix live broadcasts at some dive Mexican restaurant/bar in Wrigleyville. Everyone who’s usually not at these events was there that night (management) for some reason. Todd Cavanah, Erik Bradley, Eddie and Jobo, Paul Agase and I think Ron Suber might have been there too! You know I love you Ron, we bonded at the Prince concert right?? We started drinking early that night at like 7pm. And at like 10:30 Erik comes up to me and says, “Roxanne you’ve had enough and you’re leaving with me now!” I’m thinking to myself, are you crazy?? I’m having the time of my life!! But you can’t really say no to your boss so off I went. Little did Erik know that after he dropped me off, I went in and freshened up and headed out to my favorite hot spot, Karma and partied all night! I of course made it to my shift on time the next morning as always.

In the weeks leading up to my official interview with Todd at B96, I shopped for the perfect dress for like 2 weeks. I was so excited to wear this dress and for my big meeting. It was a simple navy blue silk a-line dress and I was going to rock these HOT leopard heels with it because it’s all about the shoes right ladies!! I had been pursuing B96 and in contact with Todd for over a year so I was more than ready! On the morning of my interview I cut my leg shaving and it wouldn’t stop bleeding!! Omg it bled for like an hour, it was the world’s most vicious cut. Time was running out and I was not going to be able to wear that dress. Thank God it was radio and it didn’t really matter what I wore so I put on my go to Levi jeans, doc martin boots, white tank with a khaki blazer and showed up. I did however wear that dress out on Rush Street later that night. That was the beginning to my good times in Chi-town! And don’t let Stylz and Roman fool you!! They went to the radio school of Roxanne! From getting into the clubs to how to be when live on location! On Justin’s first day as an intern he was scheduled to be with me at some car show or something and we couldn’t get in the event. Something just wasn’t right and Justin was kind of freaking out. Michael Biemolt had the poor kid paranoid! We were just sitting out in the parking lot as time ticked away. I pulled a Todd Cavanah line out, “We’re here and getting paid, so just play the music!” And then there’s Doug, the intern who was hung over like me at our early morning Great America remotes. Sorry honey, only the stars get to hang out in the air conditioned truck and sleep, now get out there and pass out some B96 stickers or something! I remember always telling Doug and Justin and Candi too, not to prerecord every break because you will be a better DJ if you do it live. Little did I know that voice tracking was going to kill the radio star! Oh Dear Lord. I was wrong and I can admit it. I should have been prerecording every break because I would be ahead of the game right now! Apparently I’m not very good at it and I‘ll take that as a compliment! When your live it’s magical and real, but like any true competitor in their field, back to the studio I go to perfect my game. It’s a new day in radio and I’m moving forward with it.

I could go on and on but I won’t keep you. All of my radio dreams came true at B96. I had the prime shifts, met all my favorite stars, and had my face on buses and billboards. It was so much more than my dreams imagined. I was born and raised in Los Angeles but I grew up here in Chicago with you. I fell in love, got married and now have two precious little girls. My life has reached every dream I reached for and yes with new career goals in place, I’m chasing a few more. My husband is from Detroit and I made him move here to be with me. So years later the time is right for us to move back to his beautiful home state of Michigan and raise our girls. The Motor City better get ready for a girl like me on the radio! I proudly walk away from the greatest radio market with friends that I know I will have forever! I am thankful for so much. I am truly blessed. To my former co-workers at B96, I will always treasure my 12 years with you. I am honored to have been a part of such a heritage radio station. B96 is truly a special place with the best radio people! There’s a reason why so many have longevity there. It’s the kind of place you never want to leave. And to my new friends and co-workers at Fresh, thank you for embracing me. I LOVED being back on the radio with a company I respect and an audience that I’m connected to. Although our time together at Fresh was short, thank you for everything. At the end of the day whether I’m full time or part time, I’m just happy to be on your radio dial. I wish things would have worked out for me at Fresh, but that’s radio and I leave with no regrets.

To the greatest radio fans in the world, thank you for your friendship and for listening to me through the years. Your love and support has touched me more than you’ll ever know. Without you I am nothing and with you I’m inspired to be so much more!

I wish each and every one of you continued success and thank you for the memories. With the world of technology you know where to find me! I’m happy to share with you that I was hired at Citadel’s Hot AC 96.3 WDVD in Detroit! I hope you will tune in every now and then to check me out! And like a player who retires their number, I may never crack open the mic again and say, “Hey it’s your girl Roxanne,” but I will always be that girl.

Posted by roxanne