DJ His-tory in the Making:
Chris Coleman’s motto is “There is NO shortcut to greatness.” Chris hasn’t taken any shortcuts when it comes to the road he has traveled in the broadcast and entertainment business. Born in Toledo, Ohio to Mr. and Mrs. William Howard (Boppin’ Bill) Coleman, Chris was born in the north but raised in south. Chris moved from Toledo to Birmingham at the age of 3. He fell in love with the music business by watching his father who was a very respected DJ, yes Chris is a 2nd generation DJ. He got his start as a DJ in the 6th grade, Djing his class parties. He really started studying the craft of being a DJ by going to the radio stations and begging his father to take him on gigs so he can really learn the true meaning of being an all around DJ. By the time Chris was 16 he had his 1st DJ gig at the Holiday Skate Center in Birmingham. When he took over Saturday Nights, The night was averaging 80-100 people on Saturdays, in a matter of 6 months, the crowd grew to over 1000. Chris became an advisory board member of the iconic WENN in Birmingham, each week he and other students around the Birmingham area would host a top 10 radio show that would air Sundays from 12p-1p where Chris was one of the voices you heard weekly. After graduation Chris went to Several colleges while becoming the head DJ at the iconic and very upscale French Quarters night club in Downtown Birmingham. At the age of 19 Chris was the youngest DJ working at a major nightclub in the area. In 1986 Chris was trying to grow as a man and as a DJ, he couldn’t get a break on the local radio stations so he joined the United States Air Force. After basic training and tech school, Chris was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. While stationed there, Chris made it known that he was a DJ. He started promoting and marketing himself by doing Mixtapes for everybody on base. His popularity grew and he became one of the top DJs on the base and was offered a permanent spot at the NCO Club. While DJing there he was approached by KCEP radio to DJ some of their live broadcasts on Wednesday’s and some Saturday’s. Chris received orders and was moved to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Chris was there only 3 days and found out there was a battle of the DJs on base, where Chris could win 500 dollars and a permanent job at the Airmans club! Chris entered the contest and WON. He also ran into the programming CO for AFRTS-The Far East Network and they told him they had a position opened for Sunday’s called the Quiet Storm. It aired Sundays from 9p-11p. Chris moved from the Airmans club to the famed NCO club and became one of the featured DJs. Chris’ popularity grew on the Far East Network that they gave him a Saturday Shift from 4p-6p, both shows he programmed himself! He was also offered a music Video show that he programmed that aired once a month on the Far East Network TV.
In 1991 Chris was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, and he moved home to Birmingham where he continued his DJ career at the iconic WENN where he started their 1st Mixshow and he was given a weekend show until 1993 when he was given his 1st full-time shift at the iconic WFXE, Foxie 105 in Columbus, Georgia. In 1994 Chris was offered a night position at the iconic WBLX, the beat of the bay in Mobile, Alabama. Chris held down numerous radio slots while there in Mobile until he transitioned back to Birmingham where he was resident mixer on the Buckwilde Morning Show with Buckwilde, Africa and Rickey Smiley on WBHJ 95.7 Jamz. In 2000 Chris was offered a position as APD/MD at WEUP in Huntsville. Chris was offered a 6p-10p position. When Chris got that position it was dead last at night with a 2 share rating, in one rating period that time slot went from dead last to number one with a 24.2 share.
In 2001 Chris got a call from his good friend Rickey Smiley, they asked him to fly out to Burbank, California to be on Rickey’s show, The Way We Do It. Chris was the DJ on the show. In 2002 Chris got a call from his long time friend Terri Thomas, who became the program director of WIZF, 100.9 the Wiz in Cincinnati where he was offered afternoons from 2p-6p Mon-Fri! Chris stayed in Cincinnati from 2002-2005 until he was offered APD/MD of WBHK 98.7 Kiss Fm in Birmingham. Chris was the Afternoon Personality and was the number one Afternoon personality from 2005-2013 when he was offered his first Programming job as PD with Radio-One’s WOSL Old School 100.3. In 2015, Chris transitioned back home to Alabama where he became the Senior Vice President Of Programming for IHeartmedia Montgomery, his duties have now tripled, he was brought in to head up Programming on WZHT Hot 105.7, WWMG Magic 97.1 and WHLW Hallelujah 104.3. Chris has had 3 consecutive rating periods where all 3 stations have been number 1-2 and 3 12+ and 25-54.
On January 23, 2017 Chris founded the Chris Coleman Radio Network. He is the Owner/CEO of the company. He see’s the need for change in radio and knows what’s around the corner. Chris is on the train and he wants you to get on board for this fun ride. Chris is married to his wife and best friend of 30 years Deonta and he has 2 daughters Asia and Aliya.