Tommy Tucker

Tommy Tucker hosts The Tommy Tucker Show evenings from 8  to Midnight on the BIG 870, 105.3 WWL-FM and WWL.com. 

An Algiers native, Tommy Tucker (Wright) grew up in the shadow of Behrrman Stadium and attended Saint Julian Eymard School.  From there, he went on to Archbishop Shaw High School and graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in Communications.

Tommy’s radio career began in the early 80’s at Q93, where he started as a copywriter, moved on to part-time air work, then full-time air work as Tom “Yeah You Right."  That was followed by an appointment to News Director and then a promotion to co-host of the Q93 morning show (Gator and Tom).  That show is still remembered for both Tom and Gator residing on and in the Superdome sign until enough money was raised for an indigent child’s heart transplant.

From there it was on to Las Vegas for a morning show at 96.3 KKLZ…Sin City’s premier Classic Rock Station.  Although successful, Tommy missed his beloved Crescent City and returned to host the morning show at 92.3 WCKW.  It was there that Brandon Tartikoff, former President of Paramount Pictures and NBC, heard Tommy and invited him to audition for the part of the Announcer on a new game show he was creating for WGNO-TV channel 26.  Tommy got the part, and the locally produced and very popular “N.O. IT ALLS"  was on the air for four years.  Tommy also was the “Game Day" segment reporter for WGNO’S “Saints Sideline" show.

Tommy’s radio journey then took him to Kool 95.7 WTKL, the Crescent City’s dominant Oldies station.  He started as a mid-day air personality, went on to become the station’s Program Director, and led the station to almost unheard of ratings success by emphasizing variety and drawing upon New Orleans’ rich rock and roll heritage.  The station was so successful that it drew national attention.

A change in station ownership brought with it personnel changes, and Tommy assumed the duties of afternoon drive host on Kool 95.7 where he was heard everyday from 2 until 7 p.m.  Tommy also is well known for his affiliation with Boomtown Casino…where he has hosted a weekly Oldies party and emceed numerous promotions and giveaways for over 9 years.  When asked for a defining quote Tommy responded with “I love radio and I love New Orleans.  I really am the luckiest guy in the world to have the chance to do what I love for the people I know and love and actually get paid for it."

Then came Hurricane Katrina.  Tommy rode out the storm in WWL’s downtown location next to the Superdome and was forced to leave with other staff members when rising water made that location untenable.  The staff reconnected in Baton Rouge and Tommy pitched in performing numerous duties from host, to producer to  board operator.  Eventually the Big 870 was able to resume broadcasting from its downtown home.

You can reach Tommy at tommy@wwl.com