Establishing himself as a clean comic, his down home southern humor has made him a favorite in the nation’s top comedy venues. From intimate comedy clubs to sold out crowds at Madison Square Garden, the Universal Amphitheater and the Lincoln Center, Rickey’s unique style of humor resonates with his audiences unlike any other comic on the road today.

He has continued to please. In November of 2002, Rickey joined fellow heavyweight comedians D. L. Hughley, J. Anthony Brown, Bruce Bruce, Earthquake, and Sommore on the Latham Entertainment Presents Tour. This multi-city mega stadium tour, produced by Walter Latham of the Kings and Queens of Comedy, was a huge success. Walter Latham will be putting them back on tour in the fall of 2003 because of the demand of more comedy from the fans. Rickey also made his mark in the feature film arena, appearing in New Line Cinema’s ”Friday After Next”, which was released on November 22, 2002.

Best known as host of the 2000 season of BET’s ”ComicView”,Rickey led the show to its highest jump in ratings in the show’s ten-year history. BET then quickly signed Rickey to host “The Way We Do It” during the 2001-2002 season, and that show went on to become one of the top five shows on the network. It’s his genuine love of performing that has brought Rickey many accolades on stage, on camera and off. He was a guest presenter on the 2001 NAACP Image Awards and hosted the special awards banquet for the 2002 Stellar Gospel Music Awards. In his personal life, he finds time to devote to church, to charities, to the Big Brother Program and to family.

Mel the Mack, born in Mobile, Alabama started his radio career in Mobile, Alabama at WBLX. He worked as an Mix DJ and Radio Personality holding down night shift from 6-10pm. In 2000 he relocated to Dallas, Texas which is where he started working with Service Broadcasting and was there for 7 years. You can currently hear Mel the Mack everyday Monday – Friday 10:00AM to 2:00PM and Sunday’s 2:00PM to 6:00PM.

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Biography of Veda “Veda Loca” Emery

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” -Frederick Douglas, 1857

If you ask where she was born, she’ll say, “Pick somewhere!” If you ask how old she is, she’ll ask, “How old do you want me to be?”

Veda Emery became known as “Veda Loca” as a result of her hilarious commentary while she worked as a stylist at a Washington D.C. Hair salon. Her natural ability to engage and entertain others encouraged Veda to pursue a career in comedy. Veda tried stand-up and quickly learned that the stage would not be her home. Her realization came after she heard “Boo!” “Booooo!” “Boooooooooo!” as she was booed off the stage for forgetting her material!!! Who would have guessed this would happen to such a witty, outspoken, talkative individual!!! In the words of Peter Griffin, “Oh no they didn’t!!!!”

Veda is best known for her presentation of “Veda’s Hot Mess,” a moment where she shines a light on downright shocking behaviors of the celebrities we have all grown to love and admire as well as news stories that make us ask, “WTF?” (Veda’s delivery of these stories can also make you ask, “WTF”!!!!)

97.9 The Beat’s newest jock J Kruz defines “swag.” Speaking three languages and thriving as world-traveler, recording artist and radio personality, J Kruz brings an unparalleled persona to Dallas-Ft. Worth. Born in New York and raised in Pittsburgh, Kruz, who was voted ‘Top Talent’ in the Steel City three years in a row, comes to Dallas from WAMO radio in Pittsburgh. Well-known for his high-energy antics, he spent five years in Pittsburgh before bringing his “movement” to Dallas. While in Pittsburgh, he was the first Latino radio jock in the market, known as “The Holla Back Kid” for his daily rap roll call and as the pioneer of “Local Live,” which highlighted local artists in and around Pittsburg.

From performing to hosting TV shows and mixtapes to modeling and acting, Kruz continues to accomplish big things. And he remarks, “ I’m just getting started.”