Mike Mitchell is the Owner of 92.9 FM WDUP. A prolific radio station located in New London, CT Mr. Mitchell it’s a pleasure to speak to you. Thank you for your time.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR MOST MEMORABLE INTERVIEWS ON THE POPULAR STATION 92.9 FM WDUP?
One of our most memorable interviews were with Greg Kading, Lead Detective in the Biggie and Tupac cases and the man behind the documentary “Murder Rap” and the USA Network TV series “Unsolved.” I’m a huge fan of B.I.G. and Pac, I research what happened to both of them like I’m a detective myself, it’s kinda like the JFK for my generation. So it was great to interview him and get some info on what happened. Up there along with that interview, is the one we had with the Gospel great Yolanda Adams. Even got her to say a prayer for my city New London, CT live on air during this COVID madness, that was a great moment as well.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR 92.9 FM WDUP?
We want to become a global force. We’re one of the few terrestrial FM radio stations that plays classic and timeless Hip Hop and R&B, fortunately, we’ve been received well in our area. We broadcast live online as well and we have listeners from all over the world but we still have a lot more work to do to become a household name. When artists, entertainers, athletes, etc. go on press runs, we want to become a spot they must visit to get word out about what they have going on. We’re definitely trying to get into syndication with one of our shows “Sports, Drinks & Entertainment” it’s a live radio show that we film as well. It features myself, the V.P. of the station Geno Marshall, Rashad Marshall, Ray Bonano, Matt Rollins and William Johnson. We debate sports, music, entertainment, politics, current events, etc. live on air and put video of all of our episodes on YouTube. We wanted to bring something a little different to FM radio, you normally don’t hear any debate shows on radio. The show is kind of a mash up of ESPN’s First Take, N.O.R.E.’s Drink Champ, Desus & Mero and The Breakfast Club. We have other shows as well, shout out to DJ GetRite, DJ S-Dot, Shaniece Garcia, Tiffany Mitchell, Lauren Davis, Lee Mitchell, Sheryl Underwood, Chubb Rock and XXL Magazine’s Higher Level Radio. Even my pops and my moms contribute to the station.
WHERE DO YOU SEE THIS TAKING YOU PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?
When I started this station alongside our President Lee Mitchell and our V.P. Geno Marshall, we just wanted to hear good music on the radio for a change. We saw a void and decided to fill it. Personally I just want to continue to build on my resume and interview the big names in the game. I’m inspired by the Charlamagne’s, the Sway’s, the Angie Martinez’s, the Joe Clair’s, the Big Boy’s, the Casey Kasem’s, even Martin Lawrence when he played a Radio Host from WZUP on the show “Martin,” that’s what inspired our name and call letters by the way. I just want to get to that level at some point. Maybe even pivot to satellite radio down the line, if the opportunity presents itself.
WHO ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO INTERVIEW AND WHY?
I would love to interview all of my childhood crushes and still until this day crushes, the list of women is quite extensive. That may not be a good idea though because I may shoot my shot live on-air during the interview. I’m leaning Rachel from BET’s Caribbean Rhythms but I think I would go with Iron Mike Tyson. My favorite boxer of all-time is getting back in the ring at 53 and looks like he still has it. Beyonce, because recently we interviewed her former bandmate Latavia Roberson who’s currently managing boxers and Latavia said she had the best hands in Destiny’s Child growing up during our interview, I need Beyonce to confirm this. Ashanti, so I can shoot my shot. D-Wade, because I’m a Heat-lifer. Obama of course, no explanation needed and Michael Jordan the GOAT, I’ve been watching ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary-like everyone else during this pandemic and I see him sipping on that brown during the interview parts. Would love to grab a drink and chop it up with MJ. Even though I’m washed now and my hoop dreams are over, I’m intrigued by MJ’s frame of mind and what led him to greatness.
To know more please visit 92.9 FM WDUP at www.929wdup.com or “TuneIn Radio” app.
