Unveiling the Journey: ItzYourzRadio's 8-Year Milestone at Live 97.5
- Jamal Alexander
- Feb 24
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 26
As ItzYourzRadio celebrates eight incredible years on Live 97.5 FM, it’s the perfect time to look back on the journey that has shaped both the station, the show and its loyal listeners.
In November 2016, station owner Ron Banks called Donni-Oh! to share with him, he was launching a new radio station in early 2017. During that conversation, Ron asked Donni-Oh! to join his team. Without hesitation, Donni-Oh! agreed to join him and partnered his show as an independent contractor.
From its humble beginnings to becoming a cherished part of the local community, Live 97.5 and ItzYourzRadio’s evolution provide valuable insights into the ever changing radio broadcasting landscape.
Show coordinator and host, Dondre’ “Donni-Oh!” Phoenix added some incredible talent to the platform, which includes co-hosts, Jonathan “J-Mo” Molock, Devon Beck, entertainment reporter LaShia. Show DJ’s include DJ Cheese, DJ Randy P, DJ Ill Kid, DJ Lynx and sports reporter, Devon “POV” Mason. They all have contributed a large amount, to the success of ItzYourzRadio.
A Passion for Music, Culture and Community
It all started with a simple love for music and a desire to strengthen community bonds. ItzYourzRadio founder, show coordinator and host, Donni-Oh! envisioned a radio platform that would entertain and connect listeners with music, culture and community.
It started in 2002 in Washington, D.C on XM Satellite Radio, as Donni-Oh! was show coordinator and host of "The Essence", Hip Hop and Neo Soul Show on Channel 61 The Flow, which aired Mon-Fri 4pm-8pm until 2004. He would eventually become the Flow's Assistant Music Director until XM Satellite Radio's merger with Sirius Satellite Radio in New York, which is currently known as SiriusXM Radio.
Donni-Oh! would then take his talents across town to WPGC 95.5 FM. Shortly thereafter, he was offered an opportunity to return to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to, once again, coordinate his own show at WSBY Magic 98.9 FM. It was there where he birthed ItzYourzRadio. It was also there, where he was able to connect his passion for music, his love of culture and his heart for helping the community.
Also, while at Magic 98.9 in September 2008, Donni-Oh! reached out to his friend Chris Thomas (the Mayor of BET's Rap City) to organize a comedy show dedicated to Bernie Mac, "The Dream Team of Comedy: Tribute To Bernie Mac" Comedy Show, which included host Chris Thomas, Reginald "Bro-Man" (Martin, Bernie Mac Show), Queen Aishah (BET Comic View), Red Bone (Steve Harvey Tour, Bad Boys of Comedy), Eddie Bryant (Martin Lawrence Tour) and Fred Rivers.
Expanding Platform To TV with ItzYourzMedia
In 2009 the ItzYourzRadio brand received an opportunity to expand its reach via TV, so it launched ItzYourzTV and Round Ball Rap (Co-hosts Walt Phillips and Jermaine Murray) on MCTV Channel 15 in Easton, MD, as well as In Pittsburgh, PA on JPBTV Comcast Channel 21, Verizon Fios Channel 47 and in San Francisco, CA on The Bay Area Block Report Comcast Channel 104.
ItzYourzTV then expanded to ItzYourzMedia and produced local and regional TV commercials from New York to Virginia on Comcast/Infinity/Verizon Fios Cable TV.
ItzYourzMedia also produced a sports talk show, The POV Sports Show from 2015 through 2022. Devon "POV" Mason currently has a sports report segment, "POV Sports wRap" on ItzYourzRadioLive on Live 97.5 FM
ItzYourzMedia is now under the umbrella of Thirty Four Enterprises LLC and has now expanded its services to product placement, multimedia campaign marketing, feature film & documentary production and placement!
As streaming platforms began to invade the conventional TV platform, ItzYourzTV moved to ROKU TV, rebranding as its original, ItzYourzRadio on the Grind City Network on ROKU TV.
Connecting With The Community
From the outset, ItzYourzRadio established a strong connection with the community. From its beginning at Magic 98.9 in 2006 through its current platform on Live 97.5, the platform has interviewed over 150 local and national recording artists, community leaders, entrepreneurs and event promoters, allowing listeners to feel a part of the unfolding story of their culture and community.
The local/independent guest list have included LegaCi, Level 4, UNK, Definite Origin, E Warriors, Fatal Da Cannon, King Aboriginal, Loreal Lewis, Uncle Nitty, SB, Hots, Marques Hale, Mont Gee, Jada Lee, Hulk City, Nubo. Shampz, Pauly Dinero, 218 Bank Boy, Jae Russ, Skee Da Great, Corallo Bux, Yung Easy, Jayy Grams, Rumors Stackabilli, Shotty, Juante Wilson, OG Bang, GCR, Burn Unit, S Da Don, Lil Scub, Notes82, Mic Handz, Bizz the Prince, PST8 Prop, Trackz Musiq, DE. OG, Joni Grand, Weavers Laa, Singlton, Iceman Banks, and many more.
Local authors, entrepreneurs and community leaders on the show have included Lewanda Jackson, Senator Jill Carter, Michelle Boulden-Hammond, Robin Lake, Jahan Manokey, Urban Vision Works, Etta Bland, Ty Bolden, Donielle Davis, Jason Crafton, Cliff Reed, Shelton Hawkins, Shyheim Washington, Terae Warner, Ryan Brice, Durrell Miller, Mr. Martin Detailing, Mrs Martin Cookies, Eric Lewis, Andre and Monique Sorrell, Bernard Johnson, Danielle Johnson, Dondrell Banks, Shawn Tucker, Gary Tucker, Nick Purnell, Andre "Gator" Henry, Dionte Hyson, Ty Newman, Dinah Palmer, Boo Ricks, Jonathan Tilghman, Jeff Stevenson, Jordan Pearlstein, Andre Collins, Urban Jess, Ty Wongus, Davin Johns, Simon Edwards, Tarence Bailey, Lance Wilson, Richard Lewis, Stacie Burton, LaJan Cephas, Norman Townsend, Na'im Whitaker, James Carter, William Cooper, Jr, Doncella Wilson, Ricky Sanabria, Jr, Johnny Beasley, Bro Dyrell Muhamad, S.J Claybon and more.
ItzYourzRadio has helped celebrate and share local achievements and information from many AAU youth programs, civic organizations and community organizations.
Donni-Oh! has also developed a youth program, "Media 101 For Our Future", through ItzYourzRadio, in which youth are offered an opportunity to learn the history of music, deejaying, production of commercials, podcasting, show construction and more.
National interviews have included Judge Joe Brown, Mike Bivens (New Edition), Emory Jones (Rocnation Apparel), Bernadette Stanis (Good Times), Eric Nolan (of the legendary O’Jay’s), Scola (Dru Hill), Agnez Mo (International Pop Star), Monifah (singer and R&B Divas reality show star), Wes Moore (author and Maryland Governor ), Doctor Dre (Yo! MTV Raps), Shiggy Sha of the NYGz (hip-hop artists), Stokey Cannady (Rocnation), Ron G (legendary DJ/producer), Nanci Fletcher (R&B artist, Death Row Records), Daniel “Booby” Gibson (former NBA player and TV Reality star), Big Pat Doughty (Charlotte Hornets PA Announcer), Citilimitz (R&B group), DJ Flexx (Go-Go artist), Trouble Funk (Go-Go artists) Young Hump (Digital Underground), Ochino Sparks (hip-hop artist), Smooth B (hip-hop artist from the legendary group Nice & Smooth), JuJu (Love & Hip-Hop), Bill Pettaway (legendary music producer), Rampage (hip-hop artist), Kenyatta Griggs (Business Partner of Dame Dash), Special Ed (hip-hop artist), Edo G (hip-hop artist), Positive K (hip-hop artist), MC Shan (hip-hop artist), Ruff Endz (R&B group), Gina Thompson (R&B singer),Yvng Swag (Wildin Out), 4th Disciple of The Wu-Tang Clan (music producer), Pop The Brown Hornet (hip-hop artist), The Wise Guys (hip-hop artists), Kyle West (legendary music producer), Paula Perry (hip-hop artist) and Simone Green (former Chief Photographer of Death Row Records), amongst many others.
ItzYourzRadio receives several letters from listeners who are incarcerated. ItzYourzRadio would always send a shout-out to those who are incarcerated, particularly ECI and SCI, located in the Salisbury, MD and Lower Delaware areas.
Even when he was at Magic 98.9 several years ago, Donni-Oh! would talk to formerly incarcerated men that he knew and they would share with him the impact that ItzYourzRadio had on them. Being that he knew many incarcerated, were tuning into the show, he made it a priority to recognize them and to give them some words of encouragement.
He opened up his show to allow those who are incarcerated to send in poems that he would read on the air and even give their own shout outs through letters, if they’d like. Just allowing them to have a voice through the platform.
During local events, such as the Hilltop Reunion, Pohanka Live Remotes, Live 97.5 set up booths, allowing fans to interact directly with their favorite on-air personalities. This closeness creates a sense of belonging, making Live 97.5 and ItzYourzRadio much more than just a source of music. This commitment to diversity has cultivated a unique identity for their platform.
Innovative Programming
As the #1 radio show in the Salisbury/Ocean City market during its time slot, the programming on ItzYourzRadio sets the platform apart from other shows. With a focus on both emerging talent and forgotten classics, that are designed to surprise and delight listeners. For instance, the “Indie Artist Spotlight” and "Hit or Miss" segments feature artists who would have otherwise gone unnoticed, highlighting the importance of timely discoverability in today's fast-paced digital world.
Courtesy of Live 97.5 General Manager James Smith, as well as the Jonathan Molock Agency they supply the show with event tickets to giveaway to loyal listeners. They've had tickets to shows featuring 50 Cent, Chris Brown, Fabolous, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, The Beatnuts, The LOX, Black Sheep, and Ja Rule amongst many others.
ItzYourzRadio also include fun segments such as "Pick-A-Side", "4 Da Culture Song Challenge" and entertainment news with In My Opinion with Think Different TV's LaShia and ItzYourz411.
"The Black History Moment" w/ Devon Beck is shared weekly, not just during Black History Month, along with the weekly "Motivational Devotion", sharing spiritual words of inspiration.
Periodical appearances from the Hip-Hop Historian of rockthebells.com's Jay Quan, gives way to sharing authentic Hip-Hop History and vivid musical insight.
Listeners can enjoy the platform, consuming music and cultural history, receiving valuable context and appreciation for the music, culture and community they love.
ItzYourzRadio also hosted a very transparent, authentic and inspiring on-air round table, State of the Black Man in America, in which host Donni-Oh! invited several positive, influential black men from the community, including DJ Randy P, Lynell "Fli" Allen and Andre "Gator" Henry.
Courtesy of the Jonathan Molock Agency, ItzYourzRadio conducted a contest for local artists to compete for a chance to open up for the 2017 Summer Fest Concert (feat Rick Ross, Monica, Fabolous, Money Bagg Yo, YFN Lucci) and 2017 Fall Fest Concert (Gucci Mane, 21 Savage, Money Bagg Yo) in Baltimore, MD.
ItzYourzRadio's DJ Ill Kid opened up as the house DJ.
Celebrating Diversity
Diversity is central to ItzYourzRadio’s programming. The station celebrates various genres and subcultural backgrounds (Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Go-Go, Reggae, Urban Gospel, House and Breakbeats) enriching the listening experience.
In 2017, DJ Ill Kid's daughter, DJ Chyna Doll, became the first and only female to DJ on Live 97.5.
The Role of Technology
In today's digital-first environment, ItzYourzRadio has adapted by embracing technology. ItzYourzRadio has developed its own 24/7 online radio station, ItzYourzRadio247. The platform offers multiple ways for listeners to tune in, including its website, mobile and its 24/7 streaming platforms, ItzYourzRadio247 and the Tunein app. This flexibility has increased audience reach significantly–approximately 40% of listeners now tune in online.
This platform features several daily mix shows, which allows a platform for many local DJs to show-off their skills to a world wide audience. Many unsigned and indie artists receive regular rotation airplay, enabling them to gain new fans, which in return, helps their streaming numbers and potential residual compensation for airplay.
With the online experience, ItzYourzRadio247 receives listeners not just nationally in cities like Baltimore, Washington, D.C, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Columbia, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, San Jose and Seattle, but also internationally, in countries such as Canada, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and Australia. The result is a seamless experience allowing fans to connect with the station, no matter when and where they are in the world.
Embracing Challenges
The journey for ItzYourzRadio has not always been smooth. The industry has faced substantial changes, requiring the platform to adapt quickly. For example, during the pandemic, ItzYourzRadio transitioned to phone-only interviews for nearly a year, and shared more video content on its YouTube channel, ensuring continuous engagement with fans. Instead of seeing these challenges as roadblocks, the station views them as opportunities to innovate, expand, and improve, ultimately enhancing the listener experience.
Awards and Recognition
For community involvement, outreach and efforts, including the usage of ItzYourzRadio's platform, Donni-Oh! has received multiple community awards, such as 100 Men of Distinction, BAAM Award for dedication to service in the community, STARDOM magazine feature for partnership with Simon Says Shoot Hoops Not Guns youth mentoring program and the Fredrick Douglass Hill Award for dedicated service in the community.
Reflecting on the Journey Ahead
February 26, 2017, at 4pm, Donni-Oh! cracked that mic open and the eight-year journey of ItzYourzRadio at Live 97.5 FM tells a profound story of passion, community, and a steadfast commitment to sharing good, quality music. Thankful to Ron Banks for extending the opportunity to join him on his journey, something that isn't taken lightly, nor for granted.
This milestone is not just a reflection of the past but a springboard for a bright and promising future. As ItzYourzRadio and Live 97.5 continues to grow, it remains dedicated to its mission: to entertain, educate, connect, and celebrate the vibrant world of music, culture and community with its cherished listeners. Here’s to many more years of fantastic tunes and shared experiences!
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