Mike Soileau Celebrates 32 Years On the Radio In Lake Charles

It is so hard to believe that 32 years have already flown by in my radio career.  It seems like I blinked and boom 32 years later, here we are.

Unlike most folks in the radio industry, I have worked in the same market where I was born and raised here in Lake Charles and I have been fortunate to be on the same three radio stations in Lake Charles and in Southwest Louisiana my entire career.

It all started in May of 1990, two weeks after I graduated from LaGrange High School. My dad, Dave Soileau, was doing a cajun music radio show every weekday morning at 1470 AM when it was housed in Westlake, Louisiana. One day, he didn't feel well and asked me to go fill in for him and the rest was history.

I then got a part-time job at 1470 am a month later in June of 1990 doing his show and running Astros baseball games on the AM station and eventually got to cut my teeth on FM radio. It was on then LA99 doing weekends then eventually some overnights and then a 7:00 pm to Midnight spot while I went to McNeese State University.

I have always used my real name, Mike Soileau, on the radio but when I first started on LA99, it was the only time in my 32-year career I had an actual radio name.  Do you know what it was? David Michaels. It makes me laugh just typing that.

32 years later, I have been on the same three frequencies here in Southwest Louisiana, 99.5, 92.9, and 1470 AM.  During that time I have worked hard in the industry and was rewarded by becoming the program director of Cajun radio 1470/1290 Am and then the program director of Gator 99.5 FM.

My favorite part of the job? Hands down it's talking to my hometown each day on the air, supporting the community by attending events, supporting great causes like St. Jude's, and helping with benefits supporting local people here in the area.

Sure I know you see the fun things I have been lucky enough to do in my career like interview country artists, go to great concerts, and travel all around the world, and that is great.

But for me, the most rewarding thing is I love what I do and I take pride in supporting my hometown of Lake Charles and most of all, always being there for you during pandemics and hurricanes.

Some things I am also proud of are being voted the Best Radio Dj for the past few years by you, being inducted into the Cajun French Music Hall Of Fame, and countless other honors.

So here is to 32 years and If you will have me, I will be here for another 32 more years.  thank you Southwest Louisiana and Lake Charles for all the love and support over the past 32 years. I couldn't do it without you!  Much love!