Billy The Kidd is a name synonymous with personality-driven radio, deep connections with listeners, and an undeniable passion for music. From his early days hustling in Detroit to landing his first big break at Hot 100 in Dallas, Billy’s career has been defined by hard work, adaptability, and an unwavering love for the craft. Over the years, he’s become one of the most recognized voices in radio, making a seamless transition from DJ to morning show host, all while building lasting relationships with both his audience and some of the biggest names in the industry.
In this exclusive interview, Billy reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from learning under radio legends like Kidd Kraddick to his unexpected success as an artist with DF Dub. He shares insights on what makes a great interview, the emotional power of music, and how he’s navigated challenges like the loss of mentors and the ever-changing landscape of the industry. Whether you’re an aspiring broadcaster or a longtime fan, his story is a testament to the power of persistence, passion, and staying true to yourself.
Can you tell us how you got started in radio and a few of the breaks along the way that helped you build such a successful career?
I was lucky to grow up in Detroit, where the radio was GREAT! I went to Specs Howard Broadcast School so I could get my foot in the door. I knew I would work my ass off if I even got a toe in there! I ended up getting an internship at the legendary WDRQ with Alex Tear as my PD and Jay Towers as my APD! I did EVERYTHING I could at that station. I interned with a childhood idol of mine, Lisa Lisa, in the afternoon. Then I would stay and help the night show with Tik Tak and do anything else around the station that they needed. I was a SPONGE! I wanted to make myself invaluable.
One big break I had was when the overnight jock didn’t show up. I was already there, and Alex Tear was crazy enough to let me do it!!! (Thanks, Alex!) I ended up becoming a part-timer, which was like a dream come true. Never imagined that one Sunday night shift, Jerry Clifton (iconic consultant and radio guru) would randomly hear me!! He reached out and eventually offered me a job at Hot 100 in Dallas (KRBV). My first full-time job!
You recently made a big transition from being one of the most popular hosts and DJs on the legendary KISS106.1 to having your own morning show on Mix 102.9. Can you talk about what that transition has been like? What are the things you enjoy most about doing mornings?
I have been lucky enough to work with some of the greats over the years, in Programming and On Air. I never really wanted to do mornings until I started working at KISS and got to know Kidd Kraddick. He was my idol, friend, and mentor, and what he did in mornings, I knew was special.
Kraddick was the one who inspired me to do mornings, and with the help and encouragement of my longtime PD Patrick Davis, I was able to make that dream come true. They both helped me in so many ways, and I’m forever grateful.
The transition has been great! I have always loved PERSONALITY radio, even when I was doing afternoons and nights. It felt natural to transition to mornings and also cater to the audience who literally grew up listening to me at night. I feel a connection with my listeners after 24 years in Dallas—that is pretty special.
LEG: You once said on a podcast, “People don’t remember what they heard, they remember how they feel.” Can you further discuss the emotional aspect of music and which artists have been able to make you feel something special through the years?
Yes! I am BIG on emotions and pulling the "heartstrings" of your audience! In a world of fake, unauthentic, contrived content, people WANT REAL! They want raw emotions, and they know when you are bullshitting them—not only with the content but with music as well!
That’s why artists like Taylor Swift have unreal connections with their fans! Because they aren’t just putting out songs you can HEAR—they’re putting out songs you can FEEL!!! That’s the key, if you ask me! That’s why certain songs take you back to a time, a place, a FEELING—they connect with you on an emotional level. Any artist who can do that wins.
LEG: You’ve done countless interviews with some of the biggest names in the entertainment business. What were a few of your most memorable interviews and why?
Early on in my career, I stopped interviewing artists and started having conversations. That was the key for me to start getting the BEST out of these artists.
I’ve been really blessed to interview so many great artists, so it’s hard to pick!! I would say one memorable one would be Eminem, because he rarely does "interviews," and I connected with him about Detroit, which really opened him up! Beastie Boys, because it was one of the last interviews they did together, and they were childhood idols of mine! Lady Gaga, because she is SO smart and always had something incredible to say!
I would also say Rihanna because I will never forget that she pulled out a bottle of hot sauce out of her purse to put on her food she was eating—and right then and there, I knew she was a real one! Lol.
LEG: In addition to having a successful career in radio, you’re also an accomplished artist and DJ. Can you tell us about the DF Dub project and how that came to be?
Oh man, this could be an entire interview on its own!! Haha. Well, I always loved hip hop growing up in Detroit. I was DJ’ing and rapping since I was a kid! I got my first set of Technic 1200 turntables when I was 15. I LOVED the scene!!
I was blessed to grow up with "local" artists like Kid Rock, Eminem, and some others that inspired me to chase my dreams. I even worked on Kid Rock’s street team when I was like 14, handing out fliers. I wrote "Country Girl" when I moved to Dallas as my way of kinda explaining the culture shock of going from Detroit to Dallas.
I did the demo with my boy RickyRoo (also the imaging director of Hot 100 at the time) and thought it was pretty damn good! He sent it to his friend Charlie Pennachio, another mentor of mine, and before you knew it... it was on the radio in Florida!! It then started spreading like crazy!! Eventually landing me a deal with Columbia Records!!
I’m a proud one-hit wonder!! Lol. By the way, the reason I changed my name to DF DUB (as in DFW or Dallas Fort Worth) was because at the time I worked for CBS, and I knew NO other radio companies would play it if they knew it was ME! So, I never said it was my song at first. They didn’t know it was "Billy The KIdd." It worked! Even my competition at the time played it and was pissed when they found out!! But I knew if they played it once, the phones would go crazy, and it would be too late! 🙂
LEG: In any successful career, there are always stories of challenges and failures along the way. Can you tell us one of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced and how you overcame it?
First one that comes to mind is losing Kidd Kraddick. When he died unexpectedly, we were all shocked and beyond devastated. I had to announce it on the air. It was awful—how do you ever prepare yourself for that!?
In a weird way, Kidd prepared me. He always taught me to be myself and REAL. Show your emotions, be vulnerable, and connect with your listeners on their level. That’s what I did. That was incredibly hard, and I still think of him every day.
Overall, the element of adapting to CHANGE has always been hard in this business. Dealing with layoffs, losing incredibly talented people—it can be a lot to deal with. But you just have to adapt. You have to continue to look FORWARD and not behind. What’s done is done, and if you focus on the negative, you are sure to manifest it in your world.