Promotions & On Air
Before joining Citadel Communications as a promotions tech, Tony delivered furniture and had other less-than-fulfilling jobs. He began his radio career setting up remotes with Oklahoma City's Citadel Broadcasting and occasionally covering a weekend shift when needed. Within three months of being hired and working promotions, Tony secured a spot on KATT FM Saturday nights until being assigned the overnights in 2001. In 2002, replacing Joe Mitchell, nights on KATT FM.
Responsible Broadcaster
A robust and intellectual voice has propelled him into a local celebrity appearing at remote broadcasts, concerts and other station broadcasts. Tony's ratings were solid earning him number 1 in night Arbitron Ratings. With his strong on-air presence, in 2012, he was promoted to afternoon drive on KATT hosting the Afternoon Traffic Jam.
Radio Silence & The Vapor Hut Wholesale
After the birth of his first child, Tony decided on a career change. In March of 2014, Tony hosted his last show on KATT FM. The Vapor Hut Wholesale had offered a wholesale executive position. The position provided travel and sales opportunities within a burgeoning industry. Regular client visits in different cities and trade shows helped Tony bolster nearly 1.2 million in gross sales in 2015. With a great product and in-house marketing, The Vapor Hut was a well-known brand within the vapor community.
Red Plains Media
In December 2016, the Vapor Hut opportunity ended. The Vapor Hut terminated the marketing director and Tony. For the first time, he was unemployed and a new family member six days before Christmas. While worrisome, the time had never been better to apply those skills of sales, marketing, and PR than to start a boutique agency specializing in pre-roll digital marketing. The Vapor Hut's former marketing director and Tony joined creative forces with Steve McAnally to form Red Plains Distribution (which would later morphed into Red Plains Media).
WWLS FM The Sports Animal
Red Plains Media had taken off, but Tony still needed more for his family of three. Plus, the love of radio never went away. Get your popcorn ready! A rock guy talking sports. While continuing work with Red Plains Media, Tony accepted Al Eschbach's producer position in 2017. The job duties include posting podcasts, booking guests and producing in-house promos. Tony is presently with The Dominant Duo & Total Dominance Hour weekdays.
Education
In 2020, as the pandemic raged worldwide and Tony expected a new family addition, he completed his broadcast journalism Associate of Arts from Oklahoma City Community College. It spurred a quest to earn an undergraduate degree in public relations at The University of Oklahoma.
Radio, School and Freelance
In May 2022, Cumulus Media flipped WILD 104.9 FM to ALICE 104.9 FM. Instead of Urban hits, the new station would focus on playing anything from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today. Tony hosts weekdays from 10 am - 3 pm. He's enrolled in 15 hours for the Fall 2023 semester at OU. Continuing his work with Red Plains Media, he also voices the TV advertisements for 7 Clans First Council Casino and Resort in Newkirk, OK and other commercials.
The University of Oklahoma
Tony enrolled as a public relations major at OU's Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication in Fall 2022. The balance of home life, a full-time radio job, and being a full-time student has tested his endurance and mental fortitude. However, there is a finish line ahead. With only two semesters left, attaining legitimate accreditation from a prestigious institution of higher learning like the University of Oklahoma, Tony plans to complete college and move towards a leadership position or career utilizing the hard-earned public relations degree.
