Terry Ballard - Station Owner

Terry first caught the radio broadcasting “bug” at just nine years old. One afternoon after soccer practice, while waiting for his stepmother who worked as receptionist for WISE Radio, in Asheville, NC, to wrap up her work day, the afternoon drive DJ invited Terry upstairs to hang out and spend some time in the control room and watch the action. That experience changed his young life. Stepping through the door threshold, into the WISE control room, was a portal into another world with lots of possibilities. By age 13, and after completing a Greater Asheville Educational Radio Association’s broadcast course, Terry made his first professional on-air appearance on WBMU-FM in Asheville. These early moments laid the foundation for his technical skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. At 14, Terry joined WBMU as board engineer for each Saturday’s “Soul Top 40 Weekly Countdown” with Spider Harrison, immediately followed by his own two hour show. By age 15, during the summer, and with his parent’s providing transportation to and from, Terry had his own evening shift, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. weeknights on WBMU . After getting his driver’s license and his first set of wheels, Terry continued the same 6p - 10p weeknight shift even when high school was in session. During his high school junior and senior years, he managed a weekly Saturday afternoon show and a nine hour Sunday shift at another Asheville radio station, WRAQ, engineering reel-to-reel, vinyl and live, in-studio broadcasts from local church pastors. After high school, Terry briefly worked as afternoon DJ at WBMS in nearby Black Mountain, NC, before joining WISE Radio, (aka “Big Wise”), the station that first inspired him. From 1981 to 1985, he worked the overnight, late-night, and evening shifts, and eventually afternoons at WISE. In 1986, following WISE’s acquisition of WLOS-FM and its rebranding, Terry joined WKSF-FM (“Kiss FM”) for part time Saturday night shifts, remaining active in Asheville radio until 1987.

Terry was born a drummer and musician! In August 1987, he moved to Nashville, TN, to pursue his other dream of being a professional drummer. Within the first week, he joined his first Nashville band, a power trio that later changed its lineup and name, and began performing regularly on the local and regional rock circuit. In 1991, Terry became the drummer for Warner Bros. recording artist Michael White. As a member of the Michael White Band, he toured nationally, appeared on CMT, and helped support three Top 40 singles. In September 1992, Michael White and the band performed on the Saturday night Grand Ole Opry, which Terry considers one of the greatest honors of his career. From 1995 to 2010, Terry held a 15-year residency at a leading Nashville nightclub, performing six nights a week and maintaining high standards as the music industry evolved.

In 2006, he founded Magnum Music and Media Services, a music services and audio/visual company supporting corporate and private events. The company has grown steadily and is now a key part of Nashville’s service and hospitality industry. Concurrently, Terry has led his band, The Joy Ride Band, sustaining its success for almost 30 years as of this writing.

On May 23, 2022, Terry fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning his own radio station by purchasing the legendary WROX. He views himself as both owner and caretaker of this historic station and is committed to ensuring WROX continues to represent Clarksdale, MS, past, present and future, here, near and abroad.