MAHONING VALLEY 2 local radio hosts to be inducted into Broadcasters Hall of Fame

Both personalities juggle several side projects.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two area radio hosts who have championed gospel and jazz music in the Mahoning Valley have been recognized by the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Maurice Moore of WRBP-FM 102-Jamz, was inducted into the hall, and Michelle Stevenson of WANR 1570-AM received the Radio Personality of the Year award. Moore and Stevenson received their honors in a ceremony in Akron, where the hall is located, on Oct. 1.
The hosts have a lot in common: Both come from very large families and were reared in rural Mississippi. Both are performers. And both have plenty of irons in the fire.
Frank Halfacre, chairman of the board of Stop 26/Riverbend Inc., which owns the radio stations, nominated both Moore and Stevenson. He praised Moore for his knowledge of the industry, and Stevenson for her involvement in promoting gospel music.
To be eligible for induction, a nominated candidate must have made a significant contribution to the radio or television industry as a performer, station owner, manager, producer or other distinguished personnel. Inductees must have 15 or more years' tenure, and final selections are made annually by the hall's board of trustees.
Maurice Moore
Moore, 52, of Warren, is the host of "Let's Talk Jazz and Blues," in which he interviews guests and features new artists.
In addition to working at 102 Jamz for nine years, Moore owns and operates Town Sound recording studio and record label in Warren.
A guitarist, he is in the Valley Boyz jazz band, which regularly plays at such places as Frieda's and Skeeters Jazz Bar in Youngstown, and Mountaineer resort in West Virginia.
Moore has written and published dozens of jazz songs, and received a Gold Record for achievement for his song "In the Summer," which he wrote, recorded and released.
He also has his own DJ service called Rolling Disco, and is a guitar teacher with five students.
A short chat with Moore reveals just how much of an industry insider he is.
Moore played with the Temptations back when the legendary vocal group was in its prime, and he worked at Motown Records. In fact, his nickname is "Motown." He even named his youngest son Berry after Berry Gordon, the impresario who built the powerhouse label.
"I've got so many stories to tell, I'm planning to write a book," Moore said.
Despite his success, he has remained in the Mahoning Valley, because it's home. "Family is my priority," said Moore, who was the oldest of nine children, and the only boy. He now spends a lot of time with his own grandchildren.
"The outside world has already recognized my accomplishments," he said. "[The Mahoning Valley] is the last place that hasn't."
Thanks to his independent spirit and entrepreneurialism, he doesn't have to leave. "I've gotten pretty good at bringing the mountain to me," he said.
Michelle Stevenson
Stevenson hosted "The Power of Gospel Music" on WANR for seven years on a volunteer basis. On the show, she interviews independent gospel artists and promotes their music.
She also does a television show with the same title on community access cable in Youngstown and Warren. It airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays.
Stevenson is an accomplished gospel singer-songwriter herself. She recorded an album titled "Walk With Me" in 1998, for which she wrote most of the songs. She is working on another album.
She is involved in a variety of church ministries and does conferences for newly divorced and newly married throughout Ohio.
Stevenson also has started her own magazine, MGM, which covers independent gospel artists in the United States.
The 38-year-old, who is married with two children, also staged Gospel Expos in 2002 and 2004 at the MetroPlex in Liberty, luring dozens of national gospel artists.
"It's good to know that somebody respects my efforts," said Stevenson. "Sometimes you wonder, 'Is anybody listening out there?'"
The Warren Township resident is currently not on the air because of changes at the station, but she'll return soon on WRTK, 1540-AM, which will be changing to a Christian music format.
Stevenson was reared in a church atmosphere and got started in music at a young age. "I was the last of 13 kids. My brothers and sisters were very musical, playing guitar, keyboards and singing."