SWLA’s Mike Soileau Celebrates 36 Years on Lake Charles Radio
Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - Today is one of those days that honestly feels hard to put into words. As I sit here thinking about it all, I still can’t believe I’m celebrating 36 years in radio. What amazes me even more is that every single one of those years has been spent right here at home in Lake Charles and throughout Southwest Louisiana.
It all started back in May of 1990, when I was just a 17-year-old kid graduating from LaGrange High School. Like most teenagers, I had no idea where life would take me. Then, just a couple of weeks after graduation, I found myself sitting behind a microphone at 1470 AM hosting a Cajun music show. I can still remember the nerves, the excitement, and wondering if anybody was even listening.
A few months later, I got the chance to move over to 99.5 FM, which at the time was known as LA99. Believe it or not, that’s the only time in my career I ever used a radio name. Some of you may remember me as David Michaels. Looking back now, it sounds pretty cheesy, but at the time, I thought it sounded cool.
What makes this journey special to me is that I never left home. In radio, that rarely happens. Most people move all over the country chasing bigger markets and bigger opportunities. For me, though, there was never anywhere else I wanted to be. Lake Charles has always been my home, and the people here have always been my family.
While I was working in radio, I was also serving with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office beginning in 1993. I worked in the jail and later on patrol for 11 years. Even during those years in law enforcement, I never stepped away from the radio. I kept doing weekend shows because broadcasting was always part of who I was.
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In 1998, I joined Cajun Country 92.9 in Jennings and hosted “Louisiana Bandstand” every Sunday afternoon. Playing Cajun, Zydeco, and Swamp Pop music for our community was something I truly loved. Then, in 2001, when the station moved into Lake Charles, it felt like everything had come full circle for me.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on stations like Cajun Radio, KBIG 99, and eventually Gator 99.5, where I’ve now spent years waking up with all of you every morning. Today, I’m proud to serve as co-host of “Mike & Scotty in the Morning,” Brand Manager for Gator 99.5, and Director of Content for Townsquare Media here in Lake Charles.
None of this would have happened without the people who believed in me along the way. I owe so much to my late father, Dave Soileau, who helped me get started in radio in the first place. I’ve also been blessed to work alongside some incredible and very talented people through the years.
Names you may recognize, like Bruce Merchant, Tom Hoefer, Chad Austin, Gary Shannon, Gina Cook, Emily J, Mike Brignac, Erik Tee, Eric Scott, Gene Michaels, Don Rivers, Boomer, Dave St. John, David Kaye, CJ, and so many others who helped shape my career and made the job fun every single day.
I would also like to remember my brothers behind the microphone who are no longer with us, like Dale Mann, Buddy Russ Conrad, Dave Chimeno, Dave Morgan, Todd Stone, Jerry Dugas, Johnny Janot, Layton Thibodeaux, Paul Marx, and so many more.
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Over the years, I’ve been incredibly blessed and humbled by the support from both our listeners and my peers in the industry. Because of you, I was honored to be voted Best Radio DJ in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana seven different times, while Gator 99.5 was named the Best Radio Station in the area for eight consecutive years.
Along the way, I also had the privilege of receiving the 2007 Horizon Award from the Cajun French Music Association, and in 2018, I was truly honored to be inducted into the Cajun French Music Hall of Fame. Those recognitions mean the world to me because they came from the community and culture I’ve loved and represented my entire career.
Mike Soileau's top 25 country artists he has met
- Reba McEntire
- Toby Keith
- Craig Morgan --Introduced him on stage
- Kenny Rogers
- Mickey Gilley -Introduced him on stage
- Ronnie Milsap -Introduced him on stage
- Charlie Pride - Came To The Station and sang his entire album for us
- Mark Chesnutt
- Tracy Byrd -Introduced him on stage
- Doug Stone -Introduced him on stage
- John Conlee -Introduced him on stage
- Chris Young -Introduced him on stage
- Tracy Lawrence -Introduced him on stage
- Sammy Kershaw -Introduced him on stage
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Thomas Rhett
- Dustin Lynch --Signed his Bar on stage
- Rascal Flatts
- Randy Owen From Alabama
- Little Big Town
- John Michael Montgomery
- Collin Raye
- Darius Rucker
- John Rich (From Big & Rich)
This list could go on and on. I have been fortunate during my career to see hundreds of great concerts, be a part of them, and meet some incredible people.
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And of course, I couldn’t do any of this without my beautiful wife Christie, who has supported me through the crazy schedules, early mornings, and everything that comes with this business.
As I celebrate 36 years on the air, I want you to know how grateful I am for every listener who tuned in, called the station, came out to an event, or made me part of your day. You allowed a hometown kid to live out his dream for more than three decades, and that’s something I will never take for granted.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Southwest Louisiana.