Rob-roy Nelson: Airwaves, Grace, and a Calling Beyond the Mic
- The Chronicle News
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Rob-roy Nelson was born in Illinois but raised on the Southwest side of Lansing, Michigan—a neighborhood that shaped his rhythm, resilience, and purpose. A proud graduate of Everett High School, he found his early calling on the drumline under the direction of legendary bandleader Mr. Amel Eiland. “It was us against the world, but in a good way,” Rob-roy recalls. “We learned discipline, focus, and how to move in unity—rain, sleet, or snow.”
His voice soon found new power in broadcasting. In the early 1980s, he joined the Radio and TV program at Harry Hill High School and began interning at local stations, including WILS, LCC Stars Radio, and later, WXLA. It was at WXLA that Rob-roy connected with Lansing’s legendary radio host and mentor, Jay Price, one of the most influential figures in the city’s Black media scene.
1- A classic moment in Lansing radio history — Rob-roy Nelson (far left) alongside artist Lillo Thomas, Robin Aikens, and Program Director Sammie Jordan during a WXLA promotional stop. The energy was high, the music was real, and the airwaves were alive.
2-A young Rob-roy Nelson behind the mic at the original WXLA studio, early 1980s. From these humble beginnings, he launched a legacy of faith, family, and broadcasting excellence.
3-Rob-roy Nelson delivering the news with poise and presence. Before the pulpit, before the morning show fame—there was always the voice, the vision, and the camera-ready confidence.
“Jay was always willing to share his platform,” Rob-roy reflects. “He made room for others to rise. A lot more is caught than taught, and under his wing, we were catching more than we even realized.” From potluck parties hosted by Jay’s wife, Carolyn, to late-night studio sessions and early morning sign-ons, Rob-roy soaked in the culture and community that pulsed through Lansing’s early radio scene. It was during that era that he met a young intern named Brandon Henderson, known to many as DJ Crazy Caz.
“I didn’t work with Brandon long,” Rob-roy remembers, “but he made an impression. He had that ‘it’ factor—quiet confidence, focused energy, raw talent. He welcomed me as a friend, and that’s something I’ve never forgotten.”
Reflecting on Caz’s passing, he says:
I'm deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Brandon. Though our time working together was short, I remember how he took his craft seriously and carried himself with quiet confidence. We worked together briefly in the DJ scene under Jay Price during the 1980s when we were both young and just trying to find our way in South Lansing. From the jump, his talent and focus were undeniable, but more than that, I count it a blessing he welcomed me as a friend. He touched many lives, and his legacy lives on in all those he inspired. I give all thanks and glory to God for the chance to have worked with Brandon, even though for but a short time. I’m reminded of the words of Psalm 136:1 – "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.”
In 1987, Rob-roy hosted Rob roy in the Morning, which quickly became one of the top AM shows in Lansing—a remarkable feat for an urban contemporary DJ in a market largely dominated by country and talk formats. His voice became a morning staple in homes across the capital region. Over the years, he was courted by stations like WVIC and WITL, but eventually transitioned into a 29-year career in global telecommunications before retiring in 2022.
Yet, the biggest turning point in Rob-Roy’s life came not behind the mic, but through the Word. “I thought I had been saved for years,” he says. “But in 2001, while reading Scripture, I realized I wasn’t a child of God—I was a child of wrath. That’s when the Lord truly saved me by His mercy and grace.”
Since then, he has dedicated his life to ministry, serving as a preacher, teacher, and elder. In 2018, he and his wife, Tammy, joined the founding congregation of Redeemer Reformed Baptist Church, where he continues to minister and equip others in the faith.
Married since 1992, Rob-Roy and Tammy have raised a family and built a life grounded in purpose, peace, and praise. He still carries the spirit of a connector, just as he did on the drumline, in the DJ booth, and behind the microphone.
Comments