Melanie L. Palmer

Hello All,

Leslie I finally found a moment o sit down a type a little sumthin' sumthin' for you and others to catch you up on everything going on with me.

Let's see, while I was at the much beloved KJLU where I received my wonderful beginnings to what is now a 12 year career/journey for me, I was known to the "Public Radio Voice of Lincoln University & Mid-Missouri" as Kraze'11 bringing you your Afternoon Jazz and Pillow Talk, as well as Latrice Hudson who brought you your afternoon news.

I reflect back on my days at LU often, and miss my days/nights on the hill hanging out with my turntable sista - Hot Coffee, or in the news room with the world's greatest News Director - Leslie Taylor. Boy were those the days, nights/mornings hyped up on pizza, pepsi, and twizzlers to bring you Pillow Talk was the greatest!!! Oh and I can't forget co-hosting the Capital City Jazzfest with Hot Coffee - Misty Turner-Young!!! Boy was that a blast as we dawn the stage in the middle of summer in LONG BLACK DRESSES!!!

Let's see, after graduating and leaving LU I found my way to back to Chicago, and a new career in a totally different area than Broadcast Journalism - TEACHING. Yes, I challenged myself and tried to broaden the minds of the next generation for 3 years as an elementary school teacher at Paul Revere Elementary School where I taught Special Ed, Sixth Grade, and Middle School Journalism, as well as being the Editor-in-Chief of The Voice of Paul Revere School Newspaper. Nonetheless, while teaching I did find my way back to my routes in radio and tv. I know, I love to work or something. While teaching at Revere I pulled a weekend shift for Crawford Broadcasting (Power 92FM, WYCA 106.3FM, WYBA 102.3FM) as a Producer/Director and Board Operator. Through this experience continued to broaden my knowledge of radio. I also produced a video tv show on local cable access CAN TV. Still looking for a new challenge, I wrote for my church's monthly newspaper. Wait, it gets better! I finally found a new job in radio at Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ) in 2002, and that is where I have been for the past 5 years. I still teach off and on, and I'm working on my Masters in Elementary Education.

Through all of that I did find time to have a life, and now have a beautiful 2 year old daughter named Taylor Michelle Russell. Taylor is truly the sunshine of my life and my greatest joy!! So I guess you can say that I've been busy since my days at KJLU and LU. I have fond memories of both everyday and often find myself comparing WBEZ to KJLU.

I can't forget my days of pledging the world's greatest sorority - DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC., Alpha Theta Chapter Sp'93 -D.S. Red Awakening from where I received my line name which became my radio name - KRAZE' 11!!

Thanks guys/gals (Mike, David, Leslie, Sharif, Dan the Hitman, Misty, Torrez, Kent, and the rest of the crew) for all the wonderful memories and life lessons!!!!

I'll have to post pictures later....so until then be blessed!!!

Melanie Palmer