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

Hi Tracy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Complete and total bone-crushing panic. The television station where I had been working for 25 years was sold to a company that didn’t care for keeping long term employees around. They made it very uncomfortable to say the least by putting night people on morning shifts, flat out firing people, and in my case…busting me down from a leadership role to “editor” and promoting a guy that had been there 6 months to being my boss. Needless to say I was motivated. Motivated to drive directly to the courthouse and purchase my business license.
As a unforeseen bonus plan, the previous company had encouraged me to bring in outside business to increase profits so I was producing commercials for cable companies, and videos for businesses, even weddings. The new company told me I could NOT produce anything that did not air on the station. So… I brought all that business to my new LLC. So while I was cursing the new corporate stupid, I was also thanking them under my breath since I was now making more at home than I was making at “work”.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My lifelong career in television was begun as a mistake. Amazing how one twist of fate can change everything! I was a radio DJ from my first real job, all through college and really my whole childhood. My father was the voice of Huntsville, Alabama in the 40’s and 50’s. Glenn Slayton was the “Man on the Street” for WBHP and was a local celebrity. He did voiceover work as I was growing up so I spent my days in radio stations and sound studios. So naturally, my first job was at WHCM in Sheffield. then WJMW in Athens and WGOW in Chattanooga and WDYN in Chattanooga. I was going to WDEF-FM in Chattanooga to apply for a DJ job when the twist of fate kicked in. The secretary sent me to the Television GM for the job interview unbeknownst to me. We sat and chatted for 30 minutes until she told me the only job she had available was a camera position. I was perplexed and asked “Do you want me to take pictures for the radio station?” She laughed and informed me that she was the TV GM. (WDEF has a television station along with the radio station.) I told her I was there for a radio job. She suggested then that I would not be interested in the camera job. I thought for a minute and said “I guess TV could be like radio with pictures, so sure, I’ll take it.” And the rest of my life was changed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were to entertain for a week, it would not be difficult in Huntsville and surrounding areas. My home overlooks a pond with a sunroom and hot tub so evenings are relaxing there. We would have to take a lunch at Big Spring Cafe, a Huntsville staple. I have stories about my Dad helping build that place. A downtown tour includes may points of interest including the Pope mansion and “Spite” house, as well as the point where Jesse James jumped from a bank into the big spring to escape after a robbery! (Or so the legend goes. I believe it.) A day at the US Space and Rocket Center is a blast. We could spend another day on my boat at Guntersville lake, just a mere 20 minutes from my house. Mars Music Hall, Sidetraxx and Shagnasties are hot spots with live music, and there are plenty of points of interest like Burritt Museum, Weeden House, The Railroad Depot and the Huntsville Museum of Art.

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?
Karin Slayton is my wife, and has been my Art Director for 32 years. I write and edit, but she makes my stuff look pretty. Shawn Jarrett is my cameraman. He was there from the start…also 32 years. He brings me perfect video every time.

Instagram: tracyslayton651

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/tracy-slayton-0253608

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLXs3CQ4vrBlcAfydFGnj-Q

Other: TikTok @tracySlayton

Image Credits
Brad King Sam Day Mike Wright Suzanne Sullivan Shawn Jarrett Tracy Slayton Karin Slayton Ford Slayton (dog)

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