WTLC-FM Hip Hop DJ Rusty Redenbacher Fired Because He Played His Own Song

“I’ve seen this happen to other people. This is the way radio is. I just don’t appreciate the way it was done.”

Radio One is the parent company of WTLC in Indy and another station, 97.9 The Box, where the jocks were fired after playing a song. On the surface it may sound strikingly similar to the situation faced by Houston rapper Trae theTruth and on-air personality Brandi Garcia. But this case is different.

From jconline.com - After being fired by Indianapolis’ WTLC-FM (106.7), Rusty Redenbacher says the radio station’s definition of frowned-upon self-promotion is difficult to reconcile with years he’s spent plugging the company in his multimedia life.

Rapper/songwriter/DJ/producer Redenbacher said that WTLC management cited a “zero tolerance” policy when dismissing him for spinning the song “Sriracha” — a tune by Indianapolis band Cosby Sweater, featuring vocals by Redenbacher — during the Sept. 27 episode of “Club 106.7.”

It’s a conflict-of-interest no-no for a WTLC on-air personality to play a song that includes the personality as a performer. Redenbacher said Sept. 27 wasn’t the first time he included “Sriracha” as the closing song of three-hour mix show “Club 106.7.” Two months earlier, the tune was broadcast and it prompted no response from WTLC management.

Redenbacher —perhaps the city’s longest-running ambassador of hip-hop, thanks to his work with the Mudkids, Birdmen of Alcatraz and as a solo artist — worked 25 hours per week for WTLC, a station owned by Maryland-based Radio One. He learned of his dismissal on Oct. 1, a day when he did behind-the-scenes work for the Karen Vaughn Show and he programmed the “Drive at 5” music block.

This story continues at jconline.com

Source: JCONLINE Journal 
and Courier Newspapers 
and All Access