By Craig Michaels
Born in Louisville Kentucky, Vicki Steele was a very shy and quiet child who was more of an observer than a talker. Vicki later moved out to California in the early 80’s with her mother and sister. Once her son was born, she quickly realized that she did not want to raise him in L.A so, she came out to the desert and decided this is where she wanted to stay.
At the age of 30, she was working for a local stock brokerage firm when “Black Friday” happened. Vicki, along with many of her co-workers lost her job due to cut backs. They say when one door closes, another one opens. Well, a guy she was dating who was a DJ at the time suggested she go to radio school. As luck would have it, two days later a College of The Desert school schedule came in the mail and low and behold they had a Radio/TV broadcasting class on Tuesday and Thursday nights. About 60 dollars and 16 weeks later, Vicki was receiving straight A’s and before she could finish the class she had a job at KPSI-AM loading commercials and running shows on reel to reel tapes.
Over the next 24 years Vicki worked at a handful of different radio stations in the Coachella Valley with a variety of formats ranging from rock to easy listening and top 40. Currently, you can hear her friendly voice from 2pm to 7pm in the afternoon on The Eagle 106.9. Vicki feels right at home with the format that plays “Classic Hits” from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. She admits there’s nothing better than getting paid to play Bon Jovi, her all-time favorite artist who she has met six times.
Despite her shy demeanor, Vicki feels one of her strengths is the ability to relate to people and to make them feel they are important and special. If you ask her what her favorite part of the job is, you would get an answer like this; “I would have to say meeting my listeners, making someone’s day just by saying their name on the radio.” Her relaxed Southern roots translate into a person with very little ego who is always wanting to learn more. Her personal musical taste is as diverse as her personality, from Motown to Country and hard rock.
Voted the Best radio DJ in the Coachella Valley in 2009, Vicki has enjoyed making lots of great friends and loves spending her spare time at outdoor festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach. You might also find her up at Pappy & Harriet’s or The Rock Yard if something cool is happening.
If you have questions for Vicki you can email her at: vickijosteele@yahoo.com or you can call her at the radio station (760) 322-7890.
Written By Craig Michaels
Craig Michaels Productions
(760) 880-3848
