BILLY "THE KIDD" GREEN,
Music Director &
Air Personality,
106.1 KISS FM
(Dallas, TX)

Once your name and face have appeared on Pepsi® cans and bulletin boards, it's safe to say that you've made it as a DJ. Meet Billy Green, known as "Billy The Kidd" on Texas radio, KISS FM.

Since arriving in Dallas/Fort Worth in 1999, Green has been hard at work living up to that name by creating a little notoriety of his own. As host of the 6-10 PM slot, Billy The Kidd is like the weeknight morning guy soliciting listener opinion and comic relief into the usual Top 40 mix, not unlike the Tik Tak gig he enjoyed as an intern all those years ago on Detroit's 'DRQ.

How many years have you been working in the business?
As soon as I got into Specs ... I started working for Lisa Lisa on 93.1 'DRQ..so a little over 6 years now.

What is the largest hurdle you've had to face to get where you are now?
Convincing the Program Director of Wild 100 in Dallas -- market #5 -- to hire me, a 21-year-old kid fresh out of broadcast school to do the night show. That was the biggest hurdle I had to face ... and of course, developing my on air personality and my character was another.

What have been some of the highlights of your career?
I have to say the BIGGEST highlights I've had so far has either been walking down the red carpet at the Grammys, going to the MTV 2002 Movie Awards, having my face put on a Pepsi cans all over Texas, Puff Daddy surprising me in person with a gift for me on my b-day... There are so many. I'm so thankful!

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
Well ... it would be unfair to say just one person so I would say my Mother, who has always supported me in all my choices in life, John Cook (my OM), Tik Tak (formerly at 'DRQ), Alex Tear, Lisa Lisa.

What would you consider the largest challenge in the business today?
I would say, of course, getting your foot in the door BUT more importantly reinvent yourself and adapting to the constant change of this industry.

What would be your advice to grads that are just beginning the job search?
STAY FOCUSED on your goal. Think of Specs as a stepping stone or a launching pad to the future NOT an automatic spot in the industry.

What would be your advice to students just beginning the course at Specs Howard School?
Don't think of Specs as the next best thing to college. Look at it as the first and most important step of your career. When I was there I looked at it as my first job in the industry. You either fail or move on to the next challenge. Never limit yourself.

FROM PEPSI® CANS TO DF DUB

Billy Green's gift of gab has not only contributed to his success as a DJ, it has undoubtedly led to his moonlight career as recording artist DF Dub.

With the release of "Country Girl" by Texas label 3 Sixty Records, Billy's record got enough airplay across the country to make it to the ears of a Sony record exec. In no time, the catchy little tune and its rapper were signed to Columbia Records.

With its debut, Green's employers at Wild 100.3 not only played the tune but offered him an extended hiatus to perform and promote his album nationally. Still, he is managing to keep radio and recording artist personas somewhat separate.

Now that he's back in the studio to record a second record, he is also back on the radio as Billy The Kidd.