NATCHEZ&045;It was more then the music from the airwaves that allowed two Natchez radio hosts to come home with awards from 31st Annual Jackson Music Awards.

WTYJ/WMIS radio’s announcer Jerome Myles received Mississippi’s Gospel Radio Announcer of the Year, while fellow employee and friend Calvin Butler, known as Jayrod Bufford on the radio, won Statewide Disc Jockey of the Year. The public chose both awards.

Georgia Brown was one of the loyal fans who voted for Myles at Britton and Koontz Bank. But she went beyond just filling out one ballot for herself; she had six July 4th guests also fill out ballots.

Brown keeps her radio tuned to WTYJ/WMIS every day, but it’s one particular voice she waits for before she goes to bed.

&uot;You have me up all night,&uot; Brown once told Myles at a church gathering. &uot;It makes me happy and cry, too, when he plays gospel songs,&uot; she said.

Brown said when she listens to Myles she can hear a deep love for the music and message.

&uot;(Gospel) is his heart’s desire,&uot; she said.

Brown said she’s been listening to Myles since he came on the air 19 years ago at WTJY/WMIS. She said each time they come across each other in town, he always takes time to speak.

Myles isn’t shy about admitting that gospel is his true love.

&uot;In gospel, if a person calls me and says ‘You really bless my heart with that song’&045; that’s fulfillment,&uot; Myles said.

This rang true one year after he played the song &uot;He’s There All the Time&uot; when a woman called the program and said she was on the verge of suicide.

Myles said he asked the woman if she truly listened to the song and told her suicide was the cowardly way out, not God’s way out. He said the woman still calls him from time to time.

&uot;I’m not an entertainer, I’m a minister,&uot; Myles said. &uot;What I say, what I play, it touches somebody,&uot; he said.

Brown said she longs to hear

&uot;Prayers Will See You Through,&uot; which is co-written and sung by Myles, on the radio.

&uot;I hear that song in my sleep,&uot; Brown said.

Myles said being a singer helps with the radio business because he sees where new artists are coming from and is more open to play their songs.

&uot;It helps me appreciate radio,&uot; he said.

Myles said he’s thrilled about the award, but life won’t stop because of it.

&uot;One thing that award won’t do is change me,&uot; Myles said.

Alongside Myles with winning an award, Butler said he remembered the joy he got from listening to the radio.

During college Butler would always have the radio on between classes hoping to hear humorous DJ personalities to cheer his day.

Butler said the airwaves were his sanctuaries from a rough day. Butler said by the end of the day hopes he has the same effect on listeners.

&uot;I try to say something cheerful to brighten their day,&uot; Butler said.

He said he takes on a different personality from his laidback demeanor when he gets behind a microphone.

&uot;I can get loose on the radio,&uot; he said.

Butler said since college he studied the speech and tone of DJs when he listened to the radio.

&uot;I could always picture myself doing their job&045; they motivated me,&uot; Butler said.

For 19 years that picture became and still is a reality for Butler, speaking and playing what he called a &uot;mixture of old school and blues&uot; on the air.

&uot;I never had a bad day on the radio,&uot; he said.

To make sure he continues good days, Butler works overtime.

&uot;I record myself and listen back,&uot; he said.

But once again Butler credited his audience for the new award he received.

&uot;(This award) says our listeners support us,&uot; Butler said.

There will be a reception to honor

WTYJ/WMIS listeners on Friday, July 29 at the studio located on 20 East Franklin St.