Longtime radio personality, Drake Hall, explains his absence
This week, some Memphians noticed the absence of a familiar baritone on the airwaves.
Drake Hall, host of “Drake in the Morning” on WXMX 98.1, is no longer broadcasting the popular morning segment on the station. Hall hosted the show for 16 years, with many of those alongside the late David Millar, more commonly known to listeners as Zeke Logan.
On Wednesday, Hall confirmed his absence from the airwaves on social media and hinted at an inevitable return.
Hall told The Commercial Appeal Wednesday he couldn’t say when, or how, the next chapter in his career would unfold. He declined to say what brought his abrupt end on the airwaves, but said the decision was the right fit for everyone, including his former employer.
But, he did speak of his priorities for the interim, namely — sleeping in.
“I was up by three o’clock every morning. You gotta wake up, go to the internet, take some notes, get some stories down, then get in the shower, then drive to the station at Poplar and Yates ... I’m ready to slow down for a bit,” Hall said.
Hall is technically under contract with Cumulus Media, the corporation that owns 98.1 until June, but he’ll be happily sleeping in during the month of May, and attempting to sit still after a 16year schedule ruled by a 3 a.m. wake up time.
“It’s a little bit daunting because I don’t know what to do some days,” Hall said.
“I’ve watched everything I’ve wanted to watch on Netflix, I’m trying to read three books at once, and just trying to stay sane.”
The timing of Hall’s break was fortuitous in a way — launching a brand new project in the middle of a global pandemic isn’t Hall’s top priority at the moment. Advertising revenue in most media forms has taken a hit from the novel coronavirus.
“Good God almighty, it’s a really bad time to be in radio or TV,” Hall said. “People are being fired or put on furlough. So, the timing, I think, is just about perfect.”
“Drake in the Morning,” and before that, “Drake and Zeke in the Morning” won numerous readers-choice awards from Memphis publications, including The Commercial Appeal and The Memphis Flyer. Together, Hall and Millar were a mainstay on Memphis rock stations, hosting myriad guests such as former Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and former Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell. Including their time with WXMX, the duo were on the radio for more than 20 years.
After Millar passed away from cancer in 2015, Hall continued his stay on WXMX. His abrupt disappearance from the airways this week, and his confirmation of his absence, prompted numerous pledges on social media from listeners who said they would no longer listen to 98.1.
But Hall summarized the end of the relationship as amicable.
“They’re happy, I’m happy, this is a good thing,” he said.
Besides, Hall is excited about switching up his offerings. While Hall was on air, broadcast media kept evolving digitally. And after his contract expires, he’s free to test those waters.
“There are lots of ways to talk to people, and write online, and do a number of things, and that’s what I hope to be able to get into, at some point. Honestly, I’m really excited about what I’ll be able to do in the future,” Hall said.
Until Hall’s next gig, he’ll be in his backyard, he said, working in his garden and contemplating when he can visit his 90-year-old father.
“This is just a reprieve, I hope to remain in people’s faces for a while. Or ears. Or however it works out,” Hall said. “I’m happy, I’m relaxed and I can sleep, and I just wish the best for everybody because life is hard right now.”