Tony’s journey into radio began with a rather unusual “punishment”…

While in high school Tony would get called to the principal’s office… a LOT!  Finally out of desperation to reach the very bright but mischievous pupil that so often graced his door, the principal thought of a “punishment” that fit the crime of driving all of his teachers crazy.  He would make Tony lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance and read the lunch menu and other "announcements" on the microphone that was in the school office (might as well get some work out of him since this office had become Tony's new “homeroom”).  The principle thought this would take care of the “class clown” but Tony loved it and always had an amusing "bit" with each announcement!!  His fellow students and teachers told him he'd make a great DJ and he caught the announcers bug and even now he still loves the static pop of an old mic now and then.  When Tony graduated the principle actually gave him the old mic from the school office which to this day sits in a place of honor in Tony’s office.

Immediately after leaving the fun and games of high school behind him, Tony ventured to the big city of Atlanta and enrolled in The Atlanta School of Radio and Television Broadcasting.  While attending broadcasting school he managed to get a job for minimum wage ($1.60 an hour in 1968) at WQXI radio as their "Research Director" tallying listener request for the stations “Top Five at Five” feature.  Exactly WHAT else he was researching remains up to debate (and whom you ask) even to this date.  When a weekend announcer at the station suddenly took a full time job in Dallas, Tony got his first break as an “on-air” talent doing the "Saturday Night 7 - midnight slot at WQXI ("Quixie in Dixie ") and his life as a DJ began.  But not even the big city could hold him long and five months after graduating from Broadcasting School at the head of his class, Tony’s home kept calling him to return to his roots (his mom is VERY persuasive).   He moved back to take a full-time slot on the station he had always listened to during his teenage years as “Jimmy Jay” on Top 40 “Hits” WRDW AM in Augusta.  

His adventure at WRDW began as the Monday through Friday evening announcer but he eventually worked his way to the top to take over Morning Drive. There he competed against the likes of Buddy Carr (yes, most of the rumors you have heard are true - however the statue of limitations ran out YEARS ago) and the two competitors formed a great friendship. Tony remained at WRDW until James Brown bought it in 1970, changed the format and fired him for playing a song not on the new “playlist” (they later became great friends and Mr. Brown made appearances at many of Tony's promotional events). Tony bounced back and was quickly snapped up by WLOW in Aiken (where he would return years later when the station became WJFX then 96RXR) taking his morning show with him while attending USCA.

Various other radio stations would woo him away until he found a home on WAUG (now Eagle 105.7) and met Ed Turner. They became "fast friends" because of their mutual love of music and together they created the Mad Music Asylum and all of THOSE stories are true as well (again, fortunately the statue of limitations ran out long ago- however, if you have anything on tape- Ebay pays) and the rest is history. Tony remained friends with Ed much longer than WAUG could hold him (they have remained best friends to this day) and the gypsy soul of Tony Powers had MUCH more wandering to do. He went to WCOS in Columbia, SC and spent a year or so as Music Director and Afternoon Drive Announcer while attending college.  Alas, a great gig in Florida came-a-calling and he quickly answered the call and packed up the show to Fort Myers, Florida.  WLEQ had a new Program Director and Tony had a new home. To celebrate, he changed his name to Tony Sands and called his new "Album Rock Format" creation 96 Super-Q.

While in Florida Tony spent eight years at WLEQ – and took 96Super-Q to number one in South West Florida.  His antics in Fort Myers are still referred to by the locals as the “Tony-Years” (have to mention the statue of limitations thing again….) and his legend lives on (as well as the rumors)….after 10 years of sun and fun home called again and Tony returned to Augusta to WJFX in 1985.

At WJFX he reunited with his old friend, the infamous Ed Turner, who convinced him “Sands” was too “Florida” and he became Tony "Powers" at Ed’s urging (see- there is this silly “gotcha” game they play that only they understand and this was a major point win for for Ed) because he convinced Tony the name was “Powerful.” 

WJXF was this tiny little station over the top of the Aiken Drugstore (formerly WLOW), but it quickly became the little station that could. WJFX was purchased by another company and they changed the location to the 14th floor of the Lamar Building in Augusta, the call letters to WRXR and the signal strength to 50,000 watts. Tony became Operations Manager and Morning Drive Announcer. He started the Early Morning Zoo and added Hal Herrington and Anita Mann to the show. The EMZ was a huge ratings success and soon the big city called again (this time it was Minneapolis) and Tony answered that call as well (the gypsy soul never settles down) to start a new "Alternative Rock Station" KJJO as Program Director and morning drive jock.

While in Minneapolis, Tony created one of the first New Rock Stations in the nation KJ -104. The station broke new artists long before MTV (that era was when MTV actually PLAYED videos) and his four-year stint is still talked about in the radio industry. He even MC'd the first Lollapalooza and did a stage dive into a crowd of over 50,000 but after four years the long cold winters took their toll.

Tony longed for his beloved South and when Tom Ptak (from WRXR days) called and said he was starting another station in Augusta, Tony jumped at the chance to come back home (yes, he is a momma’s boy at heart) and started WCHZ "Alternative Rock" 95 Channel-Z (credit to the B-52's). 

Channel Z enjoyed three years on-air with Tony at the helm as Station Manager. New ownership and a format change in 1994 forced him to leave the broadcasting end of radio and move to the advertising side of the business.  However, while he was there he met the love of his life Renee Davis and they were married soon thereafter. Most of the friends in Tony’s circle have bets that Tony just realized he found the best woman in the world and he could retire his “cans” (slang for headphones) and stop worrying about that statue of limitations thing that was always looming as well.

Tony and Renee did the family thing and he eventually went into the Advertising Agency business with longtime friend Brian Hatch (from WRXR days).  Although he became very successful as one of the area's best Advertisinig and Marketing Specialist, he never got over the radio "bug" and longed to get back "on the air." 

But over six years ago Tony was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and he began a new journey and the greatest challenge he had ever faced.  He decided to make the most of GOD's "two minute warning" and he and Renee have traveled extensively and have enjoyed each and every day as if it was his last and they continue to face this new chapter in their lives with FAITH IN GOD….together. 

Now in remission, Tony decided to return to his first love and get “back on the air!"

That lovely Southern Accented female voice you hear on the show is Renee.

This program is Tony's contribution to the town he grew up in and has loved his entire life.  He intends to use the program as a venue for positive change in our area and country as we get back to our roots and rebuild the beautiful downtown that thrived during his youth.  “Powers to the People” is a program designed to entertain, inform, and hopefully bring a smile to your lips and maybe even make you laugh out loud.  Tony & Renee invite you to join the conversation & Fun!

"Powers to the People"

Produced by Medici Media, Inc.

Television, Cable, Radio, Internet, Direct Mail and Email, Magazines and Newspaper, Medici Media has the experience, imagination and expertise to "brand" you business and make you a "consideration in the buy" with your most-likely customers.  Using state of the art reasearch techniques and advertising mediums, Medici Media tartets your market with precision and the right message to motivate them to consider you first!  For all of your Advertising and Marketing demands contact Medici Media, Inc.

www.medicimediainc.com

www.tonypowers.com

www.medicimediainc.com 

MediciMedia@aol.com

803.278.0826 Office

Renee deMedici - Owner ReneedeMedici@aol.com

Tony "Powers" deMedici - Ad Director  TonydeMedici@aol.com