I'm Just a DJ But...It Makes Sense to Me [Hardcover]

Tom Joyner (Author), Mary Flowers Boyce (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2005

Hall of Fame disc jockey Tom Joyner uses his signature brand of humor to discuss everything from business to careers to relationships as he shares the insights and lessons he's learned along the way.Now the host of a radio show that is the most popular media outlet ever among African Americans, Joyner started his career at a small AM radio station in his home state of Alabama, working his way across the midwest, and eventually landing in Chicago.In 1985, he made headlines as "The Hardest Working Man in Radio" when he worked a morning show in Dallas in addition to his afternoon show in Chicago. His daily commute earned him the nickname "The Fly Jock." In 1994, he convinced ABC Radio to syndicate his program, and The Tom Joyner Show?a mix of comedy music, and guests who range from Stevie Wonder to Tipper Gore?was born.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Joyner, host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, which is syndicated in more than 120 American markets, presents an entertaining memoir of his life in radio. He recalls growing up in the segregated South in Tuskegee, Ala., working his way through a Southern black college with odd jobs and then landing a gig behind a radio mike. Joyner's success on the airwaves didn't come overnight: he made several miscues, such as signing on with two radio stations in separate states, doing a show in Chicago in the mornings and then flying to Dallas in the afternoons, only to quit those jobs to take on a "black Casey Kasem" role in a short-lived national countdown show. Much of the book brims with his trademark witticisms regarding personal responsibility, the importance of a solid work ethic, success and "giving something back" to one's community. Although there is plenty of celebrity name-dropping (Lionel Richie, Al Sharpton, Luther Vandross), some pleasing moments come near the book's end, when Joyner lovingly describes his wife, trainer Donna Richardson; their two sons; and his extended family. Chatty and upbeat, Joyner's book should appeal to his national audience and may recruit some new listeners, as well. (Sept. 2)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Popular radio personality Joyner offers his perspective on life, from growing up in a nurturing home in Tuskegee, Alabama, to the obligation to help the less fortunate to racial solidarity among African Americans. Joyner sees his format on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, heard by 10 million African Americans, as an expansion of local radio shows from the 1960s with "familiarity, compassion, news and information, some laughs, and music you want to hear." Joyner comments on a variety of issues, including pursuing personal dreams, parenthood, and the civil rights movement. He details his own career trajectory and his part in the uproar over the firing of Tavis Smiley from BET after its creator, black businessman Bob Johnson, sold the cable channel to Viacom. Joyner is unapologetically pro-black as much in his show as in his interests and philanthropic efforts to support black colleges. His fans will love this opportunity to read Joyner's recollections and outlook on life. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (September 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044657676X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446576765
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,840,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be All You Can Be, September 21, 2005

By 

Loose Leaves Book Review (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm Just a DJ But...It Makes Sense to Me (Hardcover)

"I was a fat kid, and a good sandwich was just the incentive I needed to become an advocate for change." That's Joyner telling about the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches served to sustain the protestors during his involvement in the protest against a white radio station that only played white music. My new mantra: Be all you can be, just don't join the Army. Listen to the Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) instead. I'M JUST A DJ BUT...demonstrates how Joyner is rich is spirit, advice and generosity.



Believe it or not, Tom Joyner didn't wake up one day and suddenly realize he is a millionaire, he worked hard for his money and still does. In fact, his slogan is: "The hardest working man in radio, the fly jock Tom Joyner" holds a lot of truth. He dedicated countless hours of service, even when he wasn't sure about what he was doing; to always (not sometimes) make a good impression. He is "fly" because he once flew daily from Chicago to Dallas to work on two radio stations. Talk about dedication to the profession.



Joyner speaks openly about issues with his weight, the road to syndication, marriage, parenting, the Tom Joyner Foundation, his crew, his commitment to Black people and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In fact, he's received plenty of backlashes for wanting to help ONLY Black people. Why not cater to your people? I imagine him on his soapbox, preaching his gospel to those who didn't agree and saying something like, "oh well, I'm going to do it anyway." Now that's a man who is comfortable with whom he is, no airs about him. Money didn't change him; it only changed how he spent it. He had a plan; he stuck to it and is now reaping the benefits of his labor. Sure, he made some mistakes along the way, but to err is to be human. Consistency is learned by seeing and doing. It's cyclical and it's up to you to keep the wheels turning and passing on the lessons and good habits.



There are so many lessons obtained from reading I'M JUST A DJ BUT... In this book, Joyner reiterates points he's always talking about on his morning show. The pages are dog-eared and highlighted and soon to be passed on to my teenager. Don't sleep on good advice, even if it doesn't give a fool-proof plan on how to get more money. This is not about how to get rich quick; it's about how to work hard to get what you want and how to maintain it once you have it. Keeping a leveled head helps too.

Reviewed by Esther "Ess" Mays for Loose Leaves Book Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 3.5) - The end of a rainbow, February 13, 2006

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm Just a DJ But...It Makes Sense to Me (Hardcover)

My first thoughts about Tom Joyner's claim that he's just a DJ mirror my thoughts about 'O' saying she's just a..., but I digress. With a supporting cast of who's who in African American entertainment, Tom Joyner shares some infectious memories from being raised in Tuskegee, Alabama to his nationally syndicated The Tom Joyner Morning Show.

Joyner, with what has become his humorous trademark, shares his meager beginnings as a DJ in Alabama and of a struggling, hustling student at Tuskegee Institute. But this book is far from a humorous undertaking. The message that resonates from the pages is that dreams are the springboard to life and a burning passion is the wind beneath your wings. It was those dreams and that passion that propelled him to reach beyond roadblocks, racism, and restitution. He talks about his weight, his family, his crew and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). And he shares his feeling of pride because of his dedication, hardwork and accomplishments.

I'M JUST A D.J. BUT...It Makes Sense To Me is a candid, pensive and lively read. Joyner lends three distinct rules 1)learn your craft, 2) know your competition, and 3) let jealousy be a motivator to improve or join forces. He has no problem getting high-ballers to appear on his show now, but his allegiance is to the people who believed in him before he became 'The Hardest Working Man In Show Business'. In step with his DJing background, the chapters are titles of songs which carry a message. This book surprised me; it was a good read.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Made Me Proud, September 6, 2005

By 

Joel McIver/author (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm Just a DJ But...It Makes Sense to Me (Hardcover)

I just finished Tom Joyner's I'm Just a DJ but..., Mr. Joyner is anything but just a DJ. He is an entrepreneur, activist, entertainer, employer and most of all, a GIVER.
This book magnified the things we already knew about the author, he is a man who is about the betterment of his people. Tenaciously, he works constantly toward that goal.
In his memoir/self help book, Joyner gives practical advice on achieving success, raising children, finding your passion and more. All of this is given to readers through his simple yet intelligent pros. This book is filled with wisdom and down home wit.
I'm sure there will be those who criticize his unwavering loyalty to African Americans first and foremost. This novel shows that Mr. Joyner is not anti-anything. He is pro-black and apparently believes that charity begins at home.
No matter what the race, color or religion, I highly recommend I'm Just a DJ but... to anyone who has a dream that is bigger than their current circumstances. It has encouraged me to continue the struggle to make my dreams come true and given me an added boost of energy. Most of all it has reminded me of why I'm proud to be an African American.