Exclusive interview with Joyce Littel, formerly of V-103’s ‘Quiet Storm’
Joyce Littel recently celebrated 19 years at V-103 hosting the late-night “Quiet Storm,” playing sexy tunes by the likes of Luther Vandross, Robin Thicke and Teddy Pendergrass.
But on January 13, Littel received bad news from her bosses: she had to be let go.
“I was shocked,” she said. “It was totally unexpected. Yet, I was prepared. Whenever that day came, I was prepared.”
She said the brass told her the move was purely economic. Her ratings were fine. But she aired at a time when the station generates relatively fewer dollars (10 p.m. to 2 a.m Sunday through Thursday.) The station, which is going jockless during “Quiet Storm” for now, may seek a cheaper syndicated solution. “I am not bitter,” she said. “It’s just a time to readjust and keep moving forward.”
Rick Caffey, the market manager who runs the station locally, declined to comment about why he let go Littel (he’s not big about discussing personnel issues) but he hopes to have a replacement for that time frame no later than the first week of February.
Littel has been heartened by the response from fans since the news came out last week. At an event she moderated Monday night, the attendees gave her a standing ovation. “I know that my listeners embrace me whether I’m on air or off air,” she said.
An Athens native, she didn’t have plans to go into radio when she entered Morris Brown College many years ago. But the program director at WCLK-FM overheard her in an office, liked her voice and asked her to read public service announcements.
“I’ve been in radio every since,” she said. After a stint at 1380/WIGO-AM, she joined V-103 in 1990 when then Program Director Mike Roberts hired her. She started part time overnights but he quickly offered her the “Quiet Storm” job, one that was normally given to guys. He was also drawn to her silky voice. (Roberts in a phone interview today said she was a joy to work with and noted, “she can walk into a room and not bring her ego with it.”)
Littel, ten years ago, started an events production company Littel Concepts. She always had an entrepreneurial bug and figured having a backup plan when her radio gig ended was wise. She has been doing five events a year. Now, she’ll have time to do more.
Her signature event is her annual Passion and Poetry event, which is held at Center Stage in Midtown during Valentines’ Day weekend. “I’m not a poet,” she said. “But I love the art.” She sells 3,000 tickets a year over three concerts over two days. V-103, the city’s largest station, has helped her promote the event every year. She said the station will continue to do so this year with ticket giveaways and such.
“The relationship is still there,” she said. “I’m still a part of the family. When it comes to the bottom line, you can’t fuss and fudge with the bottom line. That’s why I feel the way I feel.”
She plans a concert series in Athens starting in April and would like to do a big annual old-school funkfest. She hasn’t counted out seeking a syndication deal for a radio show or going to another station. She is also planning to release CDs, including a spoken-word compilation with Eric Roberson and “Cosby Show” alum Malcolm Jamal Warner, who are both appearing at Passion and Poetry.
Littel declined to talk about her severance package. “I’m okay,” she said. “I’m good. I am working full time at my company. I go on my appearances. If anybody wants me to come see them, I go see them!”
IF YOU GO
“Passion and Poetry”
Center Stage
1374 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta
8 p.m. Saturday Feb. 13 (Malcolm Jamal Warner)
midnight Saturday Feb. 13 (Malcolm Jamal Warner)
7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 (Eric Roberson)
$25 general admission
www.ticketmaster.com 404-249-6400
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133 comments Add your comment
shourite
January 27th, 2010
5:04 pm
Correction…correction…correction….they chose frank & wanda over seniority??…everything else is my story and am stickin to it
linda
January 27th, 2010
6:03 pm
Take off the ghetto speaking people in the morning. No other stations have verb splitting, poor grammer ghetto speaking people on the air. Make us proud-get rid of them all. I listen to Tom Joiner or just go straight to 90.1 in order not to have a head ache by the time I get to work. Clean up the radio ways with a mop in the mouth of the Ghetto speaking people in the morning. Sorry Joyce, you were just to well spoken.
ashylarry
January 27th, 2010
6:23 pm
PLEASE fire the tranny, fat ghetto girl, and the gay kno it all…. Best of luck to you Ms. Littel
scott
January 27th, 2010
6:30 pm
please!!please get rid of ignorant ghetto wanda smith and get someone that speaks intelligently and acts with some class wanda smith is an embarrsement to the Atlanta area thats already become ghetto dominated..get rid of that sophia creature as well and replace him with an intelligent articulate gay MAN if you have to have one that shows that all gay men dont have to act like a sissy..
Misty
January 27th, 2010
6:32 pm
It would’ve been nice for the listeners to vote in on this one because I love Joyce and hate to see this happen to such a great person.Joyce brings class, integrity, and character to V103;unlike other folks who call themselves D.J.’s. I agree with others, do away with that sorry morning show thats nothing but a bunch of foolishness and take that ghetto mess back to Miami!
K. T.
January 27th, 2010
6:33 pm
One of the first media personalities I grew to love, upon moving to Atlanta. May God bless you Joyce Littel.
Abbysenia
January 27th, 2010
6:42 pm
I wonder if they TRIED to see if they could move joyce to a better slot or something. I’m okay with syndication…but there has to be a limite… We need local voices in Atlanta and Joyce’s is one that will be missed. She had a good show that allowed things to be aired which need to be aired MORE often not less! If the people are reading…please reconsider and simply FIND a place for joyce!
This is Mrs. Norman Maine
January 27th, 2010
6:43 pm
Joyce has always conducted herself professionally and with dignity. She has been a class act from day one and there is no doubt this is a loss for Atlanta radio. I don’t listen to any of the other “personalities” on that station because they seriously get on my nerves.
Rolltide23
January 27th, 2010
7:39 pm
I really enjoyed listening to Joyce. She was well trained in radio by some old heads from WCLK,WAOK and WIGO. She was a true professional. Ski’s inspirational vitamin comes directly from the Our Daily Bread which is part of RBC ministries. He needs to give them some props. I hope they are not paying Sophia.
Counselor08
January 27th, 2010
8:04 pm
Joyce, I remember asking numerous personalities to volunteer their time to speak with students about careers and goal-setting. After working the entire evening, you would come to the school without a break, and speak with classes of students for at least two and half hours. God blessed you then and he will not forsake you now. Your light definitely shines and we can see Him working through you. Thanks for everything you have done for the students of DeKalb County Schools. Love you, Soror.
Jay
January 27th, 2010
8:17 pm
that is not a good look lol
4 v-103 so FolK in the A will not sleep as good with you Mrs. Littel , get with boi and let make Disc. Jdizzle
Souljah
January 27th, 2010
8:30 pm
Need to get rid of Frank Ski !
Justine
January 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
I am old school. I believe a good radio program is just as much disc jockey as it is the music they play. Sometimes you will hear a song and want to know who it is. You could call the station and get an answer or call the next day and get an answer. Good music and disc jockeys are going the way of good manner – bye bye.
sasha
January 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Get rid of that no neck, short, fat, gay, egotistical FRANK SKI and send Wanda with him.
Gloria
January 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
I have lived in Atlanta for 3 years now and have never listened to this station (did not know it was there). Wish I had though! Anyway, I wanted to thank Ms. Littel for kind words towards her station. Ms. Littel, thank you so much for keeping a positive attitude, it really shows that some people still have respect and an understanding. I hope you find a great job out there!
Jim B
January 27th, 2010
9:10 pm
The only people I listen to IS Joyce and Ryan. Frank is an idiot and needs to realize his age, and someone needs to tell that nasty Sophia person that he is a man. Even Elle plays better music than those other simple so-and-so’s.
chicago
January 27th, 2010
9:13 pm
girl you are the best keep your head up, you will land on your feet god bless you and you are love.
theresa
January 27th, 2010
9:18 pm
Joyce,
You were the Queen of Quiet Storm. You have served that post well. Never change who you are. You are one of a kind.
elle
January 27th, 2010
9:40 pm
The top class @ V-103 has been gone for a long time. Joyce Littel was the last person with real music on the station. Now it’s just a bunch of low-class foolishness and V-103 shouldnt bother calling itself a community station. Call it what is has become…unmemorable
ATL Diva
January 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
Wow, first our jazz station is taken away, now the Quiet Storm! Why are they trying to limit the music genre to all those over-sexed rap songs???
VickieVale
January 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
Big mistake! I agree with many posters, in that V103 jocks with the exception of Ryan Cameron, and Osei, the rest of the jocks are ghetto and over rated. Wanda cannot form complete sentences, Frank Ski is a narcistic, dumb, egomaniac… when Mike Roberts and Carol Blackmon hosted the morning show it was pleasurable, and kid friendly…I have a ten year old and I can not tune in to V103 without hearing sex laced raunchy lyrics or Mr Sophia….Miss Litel I am 29 years old and I have been listening to you for the 19 years that you have been on air in Atlanta. The soothing rhythyms and your voice got me through many sleepness nights. GOD BLESS YOU!!! SKEE WEE!
T L
January 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
Hmmm……. Wonder if they got rid of her because she don”t hang out in the clubs like Frank-Ski. V-103, We need a new morning personality(s). There are a lot of Dj’s that need to be replaced there. Love Ya Joyce, and hope that one day you can purchase v-103!
Carmen Green
January 27th, 2010
10:57 pm
Joyce, we exchanged FB messages just two weeks ago. I’m so sorry this happened. I’ve known you for 17 years and admired your work for just as long. I want to share some of the positive experiences I’ve had because of you. Joyce, you’ve been responsible for a lot of successful love scenes in my books, and a lot of wonderful nights of comfort for my characters. Personally, I’ve rocked my kids to sleep to your voice and music many a night. Well, dear, the older kids are grown and gone, and my baby is a senior in high school and has chosen her college. I still listen to you, Joyce. You’ve been a fixture in my life for a good long time, and I’ll remember you with a warm smile because I know you will do well whereever God takes you. Many, many blessing, dear friend.
Author Carmen Green
rick
January 28th, 2010
9:51 am
I AM SHOCKED JOYCE LITTEL? PLEASE V-103 PLEASE RECONSIDER AND BRING HER BACK AND I”M LIKE THE OTHERS GET RID OF THAT DARN MS. SOPHIA SHE’S A DISGRACE AND WHOEVER YOUR TELL THEM TO PLEASE CONTINUE LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS.
LADY D
January 28th, 2010
2:55 pm
I didn’t know Elle could be so silly and I am sick of her lame azzz, if someone disagrees with her opinion, they have to be hating, quit using that overuse term, people can agree to disagree and quit that fake laugh and loudness during midday and every time you answer the phone
quit trying to make fun of someones accent, you know what I’M saying its not funny anymore, just stop
remember rick party?
January 30th, 2010
12:45 pm
Sorry to hear about what happened to Joyce. I didn’t get a chance to listen to her much at all, but I always liked her professional & positive attitude. Another original Atlanta staple gone.
She must be good because so many ppl have spoken so highly of her. I hope her suppoters will follow up w/letters, calls, & emails to management & even better, CBS Radio or whoever owns V103. Instead of Joyce, they shoulda gotten rid of Lorraine White on their sister station. She’s loud, boring, & brings absolutely NOTHING in the mornings-but sounds like this is the direction they want to go in, so I’ll be listening even less.
Shawn
January 30th, 2010
5:23 pm
J. Littel and Ryan Cameron are the only reasons I continue to turn to V103. Her sunday night segments have saved and created relationships. How could you get rid of such talent??? Perhaps V103 should realize that the morning show is no longer entertaining, yet people want to hear a local show. The midday show is a joke. I usually change the station or play a cd until the Ryan show starts. Now I dont have Joyce to help me fall asleep at night. Why V103???
esjayce
January 30th, 2010
9:21 pm
I’ll listen to my cds/mp3 player form morning to 3p, take in wvee up to 6p. That’s it for v103.
Good luck and blessings to you Joyce. You are a classy lady.
esjayce
January 30th, 2010
9:21 pm
*** From morning.
Juliet
January 31st, 2010
11:51 am
I love the Quiet Storm it gave me calming moments in my car when I was pledging DST (1999) May God Bless you Joyce Littel your voice is priceless. Wherever you land on Satelite or another station please let your listeners know.
Dude
February 17th, 2010
4:33 pm
Robert H. – ok, how many years ago was the Thong Song? TEN! Dude get a grip! Plus, it’s tame by today’s standards. What next, you want kids to sit on opposite sofas when they are dating??
Mike – CD’s?? Bruh, please purchase an iPod, get w/ the times! Ask a kid to rip the songs for ya.
Brian Assel – You a FOOL! That was so wrong. That wasn’t funny… (but it was kinda)
To All: it’s 1) a sign of the times, and 2) those of you who have moved on to Steve Harvey/Tom Joyner, you all are in a different demographic now. Of course you’re not gonna like Frank and Wanda. Honestly, I try not to listen at times, because I don’t agree with the message that having a openly gay tranny on in the morning is sending to the kids these days. But at the end of the day, it’s a business decision, and like Freak of the Week said, Joyce isn’t bitter, and neither should we be. She just shrugged her shoulders and was like “Peace out.”
Why are we depending on others to provide for us? She’s not!
And people, please get it in your minds now…it’s a hard dose of reality, and even I don’t like this fact, but MONEY RULES ALL! It doesn’t matter what people “like,” what matters is what makes MONEY. So even though most of us here hate the tranny and Wanda, this about it like this…
Atlanta has a big gay population. Also, Atlanta is an urban city. Put 2 + 2 together and you get…
Look at it this way…now her and her husband can spend some NORMAL time together, without her being gone at night.
Question: who does Joyce listen to when she wants to set the mood?? LOL!!
Lauren
March 11th, 2010
12:08 am
You are gonna be missed. I listened to you every night especially thursday and sunday. It’s sad that your gone but you’re on to something bigger and better. I hope what ever you do please continue the poetry and love and relationship. I know we all looked forward to it.
Dee
March 14th, 2010
11:32 pm
I used to listen to Sirius during the day, and Joyce at night. Now I’m all Sirius. I’d love to see her get her own show on Heart & Soul, or maybe a relationship show on The Foxxhole.