Mike Soileau Celebrates 34 Years On The Air In Lake Charles
As I sit here and reflect on what today means, I am still taken aback that today marks 34 years since I started my radio career. What blows my mind even more is that it has all been here in my hometown of Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana.
I am so grateful and lucky to have been able to do what I love all these years right here in my hometown. That is unheard of for radio people. Most people in this industry don't stay in the same market their entire career. They move around the country but not me, I never wanted to leave my hometown.
First a little about my career but please read to the bottom for a special message from me.
First a little history about my career
I was just a little old 17-year-old who just graduated from high school in the middle of May 1990 from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles. Two weeks after I finished school, I found myself behind a microphone doing a Cajun music show at 1470 am. Fast forward a few months and I got the opportunity to do a live show on 99.5 which at the time was known as LA99 and was in the same building as 1470 am.
On LA99 that was the only time I had a radio name. It was David Michaels. I know, cheesy right? LOL. I worked there while I was in college and then went on to become a sheriff's deputy with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office (CPSO) in 1993 working in the jail and then on patrol for 11 years all while still doing a radio show on the weekends.
In 1998, I moved to Cajun Country 92.9 as it was known then in Jennings, Louisiana, and hosted the Cajun, Swamp Pop, and Zydeco shows called Louisiana Bandstand every Sunday afternoon from Noon until 5 pm. I did that until 2001 when the station moved into Lake Charles and was clustered with 1470 am and 99.5.
In 2001, I was on the air on then KBIG 99 doing a Sunday afternoon Cajun music show each week until 2005 when they moved the show to 1470 am and Cajun Radio was born. I was then asked to come on full-time as the Cajun Radio station program director, and I accepted.
Since then I have been on the air on Cajun Radio and in 2007 I started back doing shows on now Gator 99.5. I have done shows in all the time slots on Gator but settled in as the morning show host back in 2016.
I am currently the morning show host of Mike & Scotty in the morning on Gator 99.5. I am also the brand manager of Gator 99.5 and the Director of Content for Townsquare Media Lake Charles and oversee all four of our FM stations 99.5, 92.9, 107.5, 92.1, and our 1470 AM station.
Along my radio journey, there are some special people I have to thank who were mentors of mine and helped guide me during my career. I want to say thank you to my beautiful bride, Christie who puts up with my hectic schedule and all my hijinks.
Now as far as radio is concerned, first and foremost, I would like to thank my late father, Dave Soileau who helped me get into this business of radio.
My first mentor and still one of my very good friends, Mr. Bruce Merchant. I would also like to thank my first program director ever Mr. Tom Hoefer and Mr. George Swift the general manager at the time of the radio station for giving me my first shot.
I have met and worked with some amazing talent and legends in the radio biz through the years namely my partners in crime Mr. Dale Mann, Gary Shannon, Chad Austin, Mike Brignac, David Morgan, John Bridges, Dave Chimeno, Erik Tee, David Kaye, CJ, Jerry Dugas, Paul Marx, and so many more I could name.
I would also like to thank the big man up in heaven and remember my brother and one of the most talented dudes I have ever worked with, the Late Buddy Russ Conrad. We weren't just co-workers, we were brothers and a team. I love you Russ and miss you every day.
I would also like to thank my talented and current on-air staff of Scotty Schadler, Chaston Taveras, Patrick Fry, Gina Cook, and Mikey O who is as smooth as they come.
My love letter to Southwest Louisiana and Lake Charles
Where do I start? I was just a no-nothing radio geek who just wanted to be on the air in my hometown. Because of you, I have been able to live out my dream for the past 34 years right here in the place that I love, Southwest Louisiana.
I never took that honor lightly and always wanted to be and do my best for YOU as you have allowed me to come into your car, home, cellphone, and computer over the years. I know you say you rely on me but it is I who rely on you.
You are the reason that I do what I do every day. You are the reason that I get up at 4:00 am each morning so that I can make sure I am there for you on the air in case of bad weather, traffic issues, or just to give you pertinent information each day.
You are the reason that after hurricanes Rita in 2005, Hurricane Ike, and most recently hurricanes Laura and Delta I lived inside the radio station and broadcasted for 40 straight days. That is because I wanted you to hear a friendly voice in the time of crisis, I wanted YOU to know where to get food, water, ice, and relief, and I just wanted to take your mind off of things for just a little bit.
So today I celebrate 34 years of an awesome radio career and I want you to know that I am NOT hanging up my headphones anytime soon. As long as you allow me to do what I love for you, I will keep on trucking along.
Thank you, Thank You, Thank you, Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana. I will always be indebted to you for all of your love and support. I will talk to you soon on the radio.
Merci Mes Amis,
Mike Soileau
Your Favorite Cajun, Swamp Pop, and Zydeco Artists of All Time