A peek behind the curtain … Meet DJ Mello-D, host of Groovy Potential, airing Tuesdays from 5 – 7 p.m.
Born: Oxford, Mississippi
Home: Nashville for life! I currently live in Donelson — East-er Nashville!
Drafted into WXNA: From the get-go, having also been a DJ at WRVU with most of the founding board members.
Spins: Anything with a groove, from classic and indie rock and soul to jazz, country, global grooves and beyond.
How did you discover independent radio? My family moved to Nashville in 1981 while I was in high school. I found Vandy’s WRVU 91 Rock on the left side of the FM dial almost immediately, discovering R.E.M. and The Replacements at the beginning of their careers, along with so many great local artists and tons of bands I’d never heard before.
Most played song: Minnie Riperton’s “Baby, This Love I Have”
Vinyl, CD or mp3? Vinyl primarily, but also CD. I only play physical media on Groovy Potential.
Fave WXNA shows: Eargasm, Untune the Sky, Hipbilly Jamboree, Runout Numbers, Nashville Jumps, Hazy Ways, Gilded Splinters… there are so many! I love most of the programming on the X.
Pinch-me moment: Being asked to compile two volumes of Craft Recordings’ Jazz Dispensary series, based on my old radio show D-Funk. If you look in the liner notes for either volume of The Dank D-Funk Blend LPs, you’ll see a nice blurb promoting WXNA!
When I die: Roll me up and smoke me!
About Me: I’m a music lifer. I’ve been obsessed with music as far back as I can remember. I asked for records for Christmas when I was a kid. When I realized I didn’t have a natural gift for playing music as a young adult, I started working in record stores, finally graduating to co-owning one when I bought half of Grimey’s in 2003! I love that I can share my passion and my record collection with the listeners of WXNA.
