Classic Radio Aircheck | DJ Mike Bills - WRFQ - February 2000

Long before I made the transition into a being a top wedding DJ, I was enjoying every little bit of time I could behind the microphone on the radio.  Over the course of the next several weeks and months, I will be spending time in my studio editing down some of my favorite moments as an on-air radio talent. After all, if not for my time on the radio, I would never have begun this amazing journey that I've experienced as a wedding DJ over the past 14 years. WRFQ signed on the air back in 1996 in Charleston, SC and has become the top choice for classic rock of the 60s, 70s, 80s through today.

The year was 2000. The month was February. The place was Charleston, SC.  Long before Charleston, SC ever received any of the accolades for best small city, it was a truly wonderful small city with some incredible radio talent.  I mean, back in 2000, the world was a different place. The world was a much smaller place than it is today, and still included local radio talent that you could bump into at the grocery store or gas station. Now, 25 years later, media consolidation has taken over and removed 99% of the local DJs that once created a personal feel to listening to the radio in a small city like Charleston, SC. While there are still a few local radio shows in select markets, most markets have seen the larger corporate entities forces syndicated shows onto their cities from big markets like New York City and Dallas. 

This aircheck is not only a reminder of one of the biggest passions that I still possess deep inside today, but it is also a reminder to me of how radio used to be.  You'll hear me talk about Michael Blaze.  Now a successful real estate agent, he rocked the afternoon drive on alternative radio station 96 WAVE, and then Q104.5 for decades. Blaze was on the radio long enough to develop a loyal following where people would come and see him during his live appearances. Now, 25 years later, do radio stations even consider having live appearances for their DJs? In 2025, it's very difficult to determine what exactly you are listening to when you turn on the radio. Where is the person broadcasting from? Are they even in Charleston? Nowadays, someone in Boise, Idaho can record a show for Charleston, SC and make it sound like they are your neighbors. Its' sad but true. But, let me stay on track here.  You'll hear in this aircheck that Charleston was getting ready for a night of great classic rock from two rock staples - Lynyrd Skynrd and ZZ Top. 

Michael Blaze was set up at the North Charleston Coliseum on a live remote with the goal of giving away the very last pair of tickets to the concert.  Back in the day, radio DJs would set up shop any place they could to meet their listeners and to partake in contests like this. You'll hear that listeners were coming up to Michael Blaze willing to do almost anything to get these tickets. Could this still be possible today? Maybe. But in order for younger generations to see the value and fun in doing like this, radio would need to unravel and undo all of the canned programming it has used to sensitize an entire generation into thinking what they are hearing today is actually fun. In other words, radio would need to get "local" again.  Take a listen below to DJ Mike Bills during a typical winter weekend in February 2000 at WRFQ - Q104.5 in Charleston, SC

 Back in the winter of 2000, WRFQ (Q104.5) was cranking out core classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Boston, The Eagles, The Who  and so much more.  Listening and editing this aircheck down really has made me appreciate my roots as a wedding DJ. If not for my experience on the radio, I would most likely not even have progressed into becoming a successfull wedding DJ. I learned how to be a professional MC at weddings and events without sounding like a gameshow host or auctioneer. This is a skill I've mastered and continues to create interest today in brides and grooms as they make a decision in hiring their wedding DJ. As I mentioned up above, I will continue to edit, produce, and share more of my past radio shows in the coming week and months. All of the music you'll hear in this aircheck made me think of a playlist I created back in the 2021. Check out this 70s Classic Rock Cocktail Hour if you are into something totally different for the cocktail hour at your wedding.

If you are searching for the best wedding DJ for your Charleston wedding and would like to get in the mind of a top wedding DJ and get to know what's in his headphones, please click over to this link to learn more. DJ Mike Bills On Spotify <---Click HERE. Also, if you'd like to speak with me, click over to the main section of my site and fill out a contact form. Once you submit your contact form, you'll be sent a proposal of pricing information and we can set up a time to discuss your upcoming wedding. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane and will consider hiring me as your wedding DJ in the future.