Washington, D.C. native Cayman Kelly has made a nice name for himself in the Radio Broadcasting arena as host of his own show on Sirius XM’s HEART & SOUL channel with his distinct vocal tone and all-around winning personality. PURE SOUL MAGAZINE briefly chopped it up with Cayman about his career, the current climate of R&B/Soul music, and offers up words of wisdom to aspiring future radio hosts and personalities.
PSM: What was that defining moment that prompted you to say ‘I want to pursue Radio Broadcasting as a career’?
CK: As a sophomore in high school, my best friend and I had a music group, which afforded us the opportunity to rub shoulders with some prominent radio people. Consequently, we had an opportunity to visit a radio station and record some promo jingles/songs. The Production Director was amazed at how deep my voice was for me to be 15 years old. He asked me to read a script, and that’s when history was made! From that point, I fell in love with radio and had to spend every waking moment around it! This is when I discovered what it was that I wanted to do as a career.
PSM: What are your feelings on the current state of R&B/Soul music?
CK: I sincerely think R&B is making a strong comeback. At one point, it seemed as though the true soul of the music was being diluted with a particular Pop sound. However, there are those who have remained true to the soul of the music. There’s also some new blood emerging that I am really excited about! So, I think that R&B is in a good space right now. Although, we do have to be receptive to change, which is bound to happen as the generations grow in musical taste.
PSM: Which R&B/Soul artists do you enjoy listening to, and who are the newbies that the world should look out for in the very near future?
CK: I really don’t want to miss naming someone by answering this question, because there are so many artists in R&B that I love to listen to. So, if I would just scratch the surface, I would say, lyrically and vocally, I like Anthony Hamilton, Ledisi, Joe, Jill Scott, Johnny Gill, etc. I’m also excited about the incredible talents of some newcomers that write as well as sing, such as Noel Gourdin, Avery*Sunshine, Esnavi, Emeli Sande, Deborah Bond, and more.
PSM: Out of all the celebrities you’ve had the pleasure of interviewing thus far, who would you say was the most intriguing, in your opinion?
CK: Wow! This is another hard question. There have been so many highlights throughout my career. I approach an interview to be entertaining as well as informative. I’ve sung with Johnny Gill when he had a cold, and couldn’t hit his falsetto. I personally don’t care for scripted interviews, so I try to be spontaneous. For example, I called up newcomer Avery*Sunshine from a studio audience to get on the piano and sing a song for Fantasia right in the middle of the interview. The rest of the interview was like a mini-church service….I’ve also done a ‘music video’ live in front of the audience with Jennifer Hudson. Got some singing lessons from the incomparable ‘Uncle’ Charlie Wilson. The list goes on and on!
PSM: As a successful radio broadcaster with a talented voice, what keeps you inspired and motivated on a daily basis?
CK: I think the thing that keeps me inspired to keep going is recognizing what an amazing gift that God has blessed me with! I am able to talk to millions of people every day. I view my radio show as being my ministry. So, the main thing that I strive for is to be a blessing to other people. Whether it’s a kind word that I say during the show, offering advice for someone trying to break into the business, or just being able to brighten someone’s day with a kind deed. It’s an added bonus that I’m so fortunate to be doing something that I absolutely love and enjoy and I get paid to do it, which has afforded my family and I to have a very comfortable lifestyle. I don’t take this opportunity lightly. There are a lot who want to do it, but the chosen are few.
PSM: What’s the best advice you can give to a young man/woman who has future aspirations to get into the business of Radio Broadcasting and hopefully become a success at it?
CK: The best advice that I can offer is to recognize the gift and talent that you have to offer. Then, take the time to learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to speak up to defend your talent and your worth. Be aggressive and make yourself known, otherwise you do not exist.
PSM: What other ventures/projects can we anticipate from you?
CK: Outside of radio, I am a Voice-Over Artist. I’ve done promos for television networks such as BET, Bounce TV, TV Land, Cartoon Network, TV One, etc. I’m also the ‘voice’ of a lot of radio stations across the country. I’m currently working on taking my interviewing style to television as a host of my own show. Also, I’ve just recently signed with a new print agent, so look for me in magazines and other publications.
PSM: In five-to-ten years from now with God’s will, Cayman Kelly will be –
CK: A multimedia phenomenon….Doing radio, television, print modeling and venturing out into motion pictures as well!
By Ross Guity aka R.G. Major
www.LockerRoomzRedCarpetEtc.blogspot.com