Meet JB Cloud | Country Radio DJ and Host/Creator of Red Dirt Proud

We had the good fortune of connecting with JB Cloud and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JB, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After getting let go from the Radio Station I was at for almost 24 years I knew that I did not want to pack up my family, move and get a job in another market. I had always dreamed of doing my own Syndicated Texas/Red Dirt Music Show. I thought, “I could either not do it and wonder how it would have done for the rest of my life or I can just give it a shot.” I would much rather try and fail than never have tried at all.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets you apart from others? I do not think that I am any better or different than any other DJ that is out there promoting Texas/Red Dirt Music. I am persistent, friendly, memorable and just do my thing. It helps that I’m 6’4″ tall and folks can recognize my name and voice.

What you are most proud of or excited about? I am really excited about this new show I created called Red Dirt Proud with JB Cloud. it is a 4 Hour weekly syndicated Texas/Red Dirt Music show. I picked up over 30 affiliates in a short amount of time in 9 states and over in France and the Netherlands.

How did you get to where you are today professionally? I was told before I got into radio that you would have to love it to stay in the game because the hours are long and the pay is low. My passion for the music and entertaining people has kept me on the radio. I am also a work horse at the station and would always be given extra work because I was efficiant. I studied the craft, listened and watched others and created the JB you hear today.

Was it easy? This has not been an easy road to travel. Being in radio keeps you busy and broke. For many years I would volunteer to work a live broadcast on weekends, holidays, at night. I missed many concerts because I was at the radio station and I did not get to travel to see family like I wanted because at the time I either had the free time or the money but never at the same time. I had the idea 23 years ago to start a Texas Music show on the Radio Station I was at. The Boss told me that I could do it but they did not have it in the budget to pay me extra for it. I did that show for 15 years before I ever made one dime extra for doing it. I was frustrated at times because the radio station was making thousands of dollars a month off of what I was doing but the passion for doing it was worth more to me than the money.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? I had to learn to say no and to know my worth. Being the guy that is ADHD and always going 100mph, being efficient, productive and able to do so many things, I had to realize when it was time to say, “I can’t take on that project.” I also had to learn that I need to get paid. I still struggle with that part because I love to help others and I have the skills and ability to do good even if I give more than I get.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? When I first got into radio I thought about other DJs that I had heard over the years and even those that I had worked with in the short time since I had started that quit, moved to another station and so forth and realized that everybody is replaceable but do other folks remember them. I did not want to be just another DJ. I wanted to do the best I could and when it came time to walk away from radio I wanted to be able say that I did a good job and left my mark on the industry. I also want them to know that I got into radio because I am such a huge fan of the music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would much rather go visit my friend rather than them coming to Abilene. I would have to go get some BBQ at a few spots in town. I would fire up the grill for some home cooked steaks and catch a live show. Abilene has really grown over the years and I’m glad to see that we now have many options for Live music from acoustic acts to local bands, bigger name acts and the Outlaws & Legends Festival at the end of March. Being a Shriner I have a bunch of buddies that can throw together a party or feast in a moment’s notice. I would have to take them out to Buffalo Gap, Tx to visit the legendary Perini Ranch Steakhouse, tour downtown Abilene and Frontier Texas and call in a buddy to visit a ranch, hunt some wild hogs or wet a line and catch some fish.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so many people to thank for helping me get to where I am at. There are many that I learned how to do things and even more that I learned what not to do. Kelly Jay is my former boss. He is laid back and super talented. Dave Smith at the Texas Regional Radio Report, Tami Milspaugh, one of the Top music reporters on the scene and even my long time friend Decima at the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau. I am also a Shriner and Barney Johnson has and many other great Shriners have taught me tons. All great people that I have enjoyed learning from. I probably learned the most from myself. There were countless times that I needed someone to photoshop something, edit an audio file, build a website, take over social media, and more but I could not find a mentor. I would typically get a program and just learn how to do it on my own.

Website: https://reddirtproud.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reddirtproud/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedDirtProud

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRrszE86B3BONpTuankxu1g

Image Credits
no credits except for the little one of me holding the guitar. picture by Kathy Woodard (my mom)