About the Sunday Morning Gospel Crew ...
Judie Balacke
Judie Balacke is a native Richmonder and has enjoyed all types of music since childhood. At age five she began singing in her church choir at Highland Springs Methodist, and then later playing piano, playing handbells and singing at local nursing homes with a quartet. However, about fifteen years ago she developed a vocal cord dysfunction called Spasmodic Dysphonia and could no longer sing and could barely speak. It was at this time of "no music" in her life that God directed Judie to WXGI and in 1997 she began volunteer work with them. Eventually, she co-hosted a Sunday evening gospel music program and since September of 2001 has been co-host of "Sunday Morning Gospel". Now days, Botox shots directly into the vocal cords every few months assist them in functioning properly, but whenever vocal difficulties arise on the radio, her co-host Kenny Epps just finishes the sentence where Judie left off. Judie will quickly tell you that her association with WXGI is a ministry sent from God to replace that lost singing voice and that the blessings from the listeners and the music have been more than anyone could ask for. Judie is married and attends many concerts around town.
Kenny Epps
The "Donut Man"
Sunday morning program is not complete without mentioning The "Donut Man" who faithfully keeps the ladies supplied with fresh coffee and doughnuts throughout their four-hour broadcast. He's a personality himself! The "Donut Man" is a regular on Sunday Morning Gospel even if he's never heard over the airwaves. Without fail, he can be found each week back in the kitchen preparing breakfast and coffee for those of us that bring you Sunday Morning Gospel. Birthday cakes? Ah yes, he bakes them in a crockpot and brings them in the studio all decorated and ready to celebrate our listener's birthdays every Sunday morning.
Joe Ann Pollard
UPDATED: In November 2009, Joe Ann suffered complications from surgery and went home to be with the Lord on February 14, 2010. We miss her terribly. Please continue to keep her family and friends in your prayers.
Joe Ann Pollard drove from either Manakin-Sabot or Montpelier, VA each week to help us answer the phones. She knew each listener by voice and they looked forward to chatting with her. For those listeners that needed prayer, Joe Ann would have prayer with them over the phone before hanging up. In addition, she would close out the Sunday Morning Gospel program with a morning prayer for all in need. If she missed a week being at the station, the listeners would ask "where's Joe Ann"? Each Saturday night you could find her up at the Gospel Chickenhouse in Montpelier enjoyiing all that good gospel music and also back in the kitchen helping to cook food and serve the crowd. She was truly a good and faithful servant and we shall miss her greatly!!!!!
