Saturday, July 31, 2021

J.T., Rest in Peace.

 Long-time radio talk show host J.T. Williamson passed away from cancer today.   SupertalkFM memorialized J.T.: 

Long-time SuperTalk Mississippi show host J.T. Williamson died on July 31, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with lymphoma. 

The Jackson, Mississippi native was born on September 5, 1968, and began his radio career in the Golden Triangle area of Mississippi in his early 20s.  During that time, he was program director and on the air for several stations. In the early-1990s, J.T. moved from Starkville back to his hometown of Jackson and became program director at Z106.  In July 1997, SuperTalk Mississippi Media’s owner Steve Davenport hired J.T. to handle production and programming at the newly launched WFMN 97.3 radio station in Jackson which eventually became the flagship station of SuperTalk Mississippi.  

During his early years at WFMN, J.T. hosted TraxTalk, a NASCAR racing talk show, and in 2002 he began co-hosting the JT and Dave show, a three-hour mid-day talk show that focused on state and national politics.  Over the years, the SuperTalk Mississippi mid-day show became exclusively hosted by J.T. and J.T. solidified himself as the conservative voice Mississippians listen to and rely on.  In addition to hosting his daily talk show on SuperTalk Mississippi, J.T. served as the voice of several local high school football teams, including Madison-Ridgeland Academy and Madison Central High School.   

J.T. was of the people, by the people, and for the people.  Whether he was taking on the Mississippi Legislature, national politics, football, how to cook up some BBQ, or talking NASCAR, J.T. kept his audience super engaged and he had a passionate and loyal fanbase.  

J.T. used his three hours a day on statewide radio to make a major impact in the lives of Mississippians.  During his time on talk radio, he took on legislative issues such as repealing traffic camera legislation and the promotion of charter schools, as well as things that hit closer to home, like the delivery of vital information that ultimately saved lives during the tornado outbreak of 2014.  

A champion for blood donation, he encouraged thousands of people to donate blood which resulted in SuperTalk Mississippi winning the media award from Mississippi Blood Services multiple times. Another passion of J.T’s was raising money for the Palmer Home for Children. In 2020, The JT Williamson Education Support Fund was established to support the educational needs of Palmer Home for Children’s transitional students, ages 18-24, who are making their pathway to independence. Over the course of nine years, he helped raise over $2.1 million for the children at Palmer Home. 

J.T. connected with his listeners through his love for the outdoors, sports (especially his Mississippi State Bulldogs), and politics, making him one of only a handful of people to have such a wide range of influence on things Mississippians care about the most. 

“We lost a great man and Mississippian today,” said Steve Davenport, owner of SuperTalk Mississippi Media. “I’ve known and worked with J.T. for most of his adult life.  He was like a son to me and he knew that.  He was the people’s voice and he brought passion and real issues to our airwaves for many years.  SuperTalk Mississippi was created to give our citizens a voice and make this State a better place.  J.T. did just that, he made Mississippi better!” 

J.T received many awards and accolades during his career, including being named to Mississippi’s Top 50, which is an annual list of people who are judged to be the most influential in the state. 

J.T. is survived by his wife, Janet, and two children, Emily and J.T., Jr. (Hilary). 

Funeral arrangements for J.T. are pending and information will be provided once the arrangements are finalized.  

Yours truly enjoyed his "JT  & Dave Show" for years as the two knuckleheads went at it on a regular basis.  Hopefully the Good Lord will at least let those two engage in some friendly thumb-wrasslin' up in the big blue sky.  Rest easy, J.T., your fight is now over.  You will be missed.


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

All of my prayers to JT's family.

He was always like the little brother I never had.

RIP JT !

Anonymous said...

This one hurts deep. They’re takers and givers in society and this one was of latter. As many I had always hoped he would venture into politics….but he being a much wiser soul than I knew better. God bless his he and his intelligent gift of gab. Mississippi has lost a treasure.

Anonymous said...

Damn, another icon gone. He never let it show that he had no hope. I pray that he was a Christian.

Anonymous said...

You pray that he was a Christian 9:15? What’s wrong with you, that’s got to be the most warped thing I’ve ever seen posted about a death. This is about JT, not your religion. Your beliefs are totally irrelevant and mean absolutely squat. Go. Away.
RIP JT. He was a good man. His family is in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Fond memories of listening to JT during long days on the road in my first job out of college traveling the state of Mississippi. Thanks to JT, I learned the exact spots around the state where you would transition from 97.3 over to the appropriate sister station in order to keep the broadcast coming in strong. Godspeed.

Anonymous said...

Never much liked the show after JT got rid of Dave.

Anonymous said...

Dave was an absolute negative, turnoff. I don't recall him ever being positive or upbeat. The only thing I ever agreed with Dave on was his frequent comment: Never Trust Nobody. I remember one day when they were live at Cowboy Maloney's and I drove there just to get a look at this Dave character. JT was the show and his ability to draw and retain interest in a subject has kept the show alive all these years. He was particularly comfortable interacting with the staff from MDWFP on the Monday programs. I also appreciate JT's daughter keeping us all updated as his journey continued over the past year. RIP and peace/comfort to the family.

Anonymous said...

BUT @2:25 still listened.

Anonymous said...

Good T party guy. He was told he would be fired if he didn’t go pro Cochran. Had many discussions with him about that.

Anonymous said...

Met him for 1st time at MSU in early 90s while he was doing PA at Dudy Noble. Would see him occasionally over the years. Along with Chuck Stinson, two of the nicest media guys you will meet. Always about others. Prayers to his family.

Anonymous said...

Prayers to JT's family. He was a good man and 100% Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

The only time I ever remember JT being speechless, was when the Palmer Home for Children surprised him with creating an Education Support Fund in his name.

On a lighter note, some of the funniest things I've ever seen was JT interacting with my good friend, the late Costas Pavlou at the state fair. (Costas' Place) on the midway. JT couldn't understand Greek, and Costas couldn't understand South Jackson speak.

JT Williamson will be missed.

Anonymous said...

In his final years, he was advocating for medical marijuana.

They should name the bill in his name.

Only 52 years young.

Anonymous said...

RIP. He had a very tough job. Strong personal opinions but working for the political machine. He walked the right rope like a pro.

Unknown said...

JT was a good one! Enjoyed sitting with him and watching our daughters play sports together. Prayers for his family.

Anonymous said...

A model of how humanity should go about their everyday life. RIP.

Anonymous said...

JT could be very opinionated. But, so what? I don't recall him every being arrogant...a desirable trait that does NOT filter throughout the station's personalities. To his credit he was not wound so tight as to think, "It's about ME!". He knew it was not. He was essentially calm and focused.



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