Gone country

Former Lansing-area DJ Amber “Alabama” Cole is returning to her roots as she joins Chicago country music station WEBG (Big 95.5 FM). A native of Pinson, Ala., Cole was raised on a steady diet of southern food and country music.

“I wore a cowboy hat to 10th grade homecoming,” she says with a laugh.

Cole’s first full-time, on-air radio job was at Lansing’s WJIM (97.5 NOW FM). During a six-year stint at the station, her mix of southern charm and irreverent humor earned her a faithful listening audience. Cole’s local popularity netted her a 2014 City Pulse Top of the Town award for Best Radio Personality.

“One of the first things I hung in my office was the City Pulse cover,” she says of the issue that features her likeness on the cover.

Cole left WJIM in August 2014, citing creative differences with station management. The divorce included a non-compete agreement barring her from working for another Lansing radio station.

Her unemployment didn’t last long, however. Within a month Cole was approached by iHeartMedia that recruited her to be music director and on-air host at WNOH (NOW 105 FM) in Norfolk, Va. She made the move to Virginia, but barely had time to unpack her boxes before a new opportunity arose. On Jan. 8 she was offered the chance to join the newly rebranded Big 95.5, an offer she accepted the next day.

“It has been a whirlwind,” Cole says. “(iHeartMedia) offered me the job, and a week later I was on the air in Chicago.”

Cole anchors the 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. slot at Big 95.5, and the switch hasn’t required much change for Cole’s on-air persona. Cole is still taking calls and making jokes, but she’s trading in Nicki Minaj and Maroon 5 for Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton.

“My last two jobs were at pop music stations,” says Cole. “I’m excited to get back to my country music roots.”

Cole is excited that the move has brought her closer to her Lansing friends, who had become a surrogate family during her time here.

“I used to go back to Alabama for the holidays every year, now I split my holidays between Alabama and Lansing,” she says.

One of the keys to Cole’s success is her use of social media. She is active on Twitter and Instagram, giving listeners a glimpse into her life.

“My show doesn’t stop when you turn the radio off,” she explains.

Recent Twitter posts range from daily struggles (“Just ironed the collar of my shirt with my hair straightener #girlproblems”) to television commentary (“Dude ... Your mom is watching you make out with all these crazy asses! #TheBachelor”). Others fall within the realm of too much information (“As soon as I get home my bra can not come off fast enough! #underwireisthedevil”).

A recurring theme in her social media posts is the popular dating app Tinder.

“When I moved, it was a great way to meet people in the area,” she says.

Cole often posts screenshots of awkward text exchanges or Tinder date recaps. The app also provides fodder for her radio show.

“I post the station’s phone number in my profile,” she says. “People from Tinder actually call into the show. It’s pretty funny.”

Cole is ecstatic about the chance to work in one of the nation’s top radio markets, Nielsen ranks Chicago behind only New York and Los Angeles for market size, but she will always have a special place in her heart for Lansing.

“I still have friends in Lansing who stream my show online,” she says. “The love I get from Lansing is incredible.”

Amber “Alabama” Cole

On air 2-7 p.m., Monday - Friday Stream at: big955chicago.com twitter.com/alabamaradio instagram.com/ alabamaradio