Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Brand Jr.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I currently serve as one half of the remaining “Legendary Noize Crew” as an on-air personality on the Radio Free Nashville live program called “Noize in da City.” The show is an indie/unsigned/eclectic music show dedicated to giving Nashville and the surrounding areas access to good music, new music and artists they may not have heard of. We began as a larger group of people approximately 15 years ago with a podcast dedicated to what we considered to be “the cool music” in a city where mainstream radio was a robotic, mostly syndicated collection of the same music content. The goal was to find out where we could find deep soul, jazzy R&B, cerebral hip hop, purposeful pop and the ever-controversial “neo-soul music” that was largely absent from the formulaic sounds ruling the radio. With the artists and music we found, we began recording our commentary along with full listening sessions to give our listeners an opportunity to experience a type of renegade radio that bent the collective public ear towards more than your average Nashville radio noise. After gaining a devoted and loyal following in Nashville, our show was eventually heard by the director of WRFN-LP Pasquo and the Radio Free Nashville family. She approached us, told us how much she enjoyed our show, and then quickly asked if we would ever considered reformatting for live radio. Most of us having been communications majors in college, we jumped at the opportunity. We made a demo, came in for an air-check and the rest is history. “Noize in da City” and our umbrella branding “Nashville Noize” has been a mainstay with the Pacifica radio station, Radio Free Nashville for nearly 12 years. I makes us proud to say we are “Bringing non-stop hip hop, R&B, Jazz, Soul, pop and so much more to our listeners every weekend!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey to our current position has been challenging but a lot of fun. The biggest learning curve was building confidence with the regional and local music community. In the beginning with the podcast, the challenge was getting good material from local artists. People are sensitive about their art and are very careful with whom they share it with. Also getting artists to come out to the show for interviews also proved to be a challenge because of the physical location of the station. Thankfully, the people will come when they see and experience the product being produced. Thanks to our listeners and the local music Black and urban music communities, we have had a great run and plan to keep it going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have an extensive background in journalism and communications. Specifically print and radio. That was my main focus when I attended undergrad at Tennessee State University. While in college, I was able to earn several awards, fellowships and recognitions for writing and broadcasting. I even ventured into the field full-time as a professional for more than a decade. When the print journalism field began to change as digital media and technology took over, I went back to school to try and further develop my skills. It was here the unexpected happened… While serving as a graduate assistant to afford graduate school, I got bit by the teaching bug and went into the classroom. And LOVED it! I honestly should not have been surprised by my choice. I grew up in schools thank to my teacher grandmother and I was influenced to do radio AND be a teacher by Stan Bell, an educator and radio personality in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee that I got to directly learn from as a K97 Communicator (student on-air personality) back in high school. Just like Mr. Bell, I found that I could combine my passion for public speaking, love of great music, joy of education in a combination of jobs. Occasionally, I’ve even managed to do them all at the same time. My positions have helped both inspire students and help their achieve their dreams, inside and outside of entertainment.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
As a music head, all of the music apps are favorites of mine. Whether it is SoundCloud, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, or Apple Music, I’m usually plugged in. I am also a big reader and love both fiction and non-fiction books that empower and inform. Since I do love talking and using my voice for on-air broadcasting, my earlier radio career was influenced by Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne. I even count his book, “Black Privilege” as a must-read and favorite. I also have to shoutout Luvvie Ajayi’s “I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual” and Jermaine Bennett’s, “The Black Teacher’s Playbook” as other great books that have and are impacting me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radiofreenashville.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvillenoize?igsi=ZjZmcDhnejVhdGk4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19FTNCfsZG/
