NATCHEZ — Two local radio hosts are up for Mississippi Announcer of the Year awards in separate categories.

WTYJ-Live 97.7 hosts Jerome Myles is up for statewide gospel announcer of the year and Dillion West is up for R&B announcer of the year.

“It’s exciting opportunity to be nominated for statewide R&B announcer of the year award,” West said.

Myles said he, too, is excited for this opportunity.

Myles graduated from North Natchez High School in 1979. He then attended Natchez College where he graduated in 1982 with associate of arts in music and communications.

Throughout his 25-plus years in the radio industry, Myles said he has been fortunate to win several awards such as 2005 statewide gospel announcer of the year and 2005 best underwriting commercial.

Myles, however, said he is happy to be nominated alongside West.

“Dillon (West) is an amazing announcer,” Myles said. “He is a rising star in this business.”

West, a 2013 graduate of Natchez High School and 2017 graduate of Alcorn State University, is up for his first award in his career.

“I’ve only been in radio for four years,” West said. “It’s an exciting experience. I have the chance to be recognized in something I’m passionate about.”

Although he appreciates the honor, West said knowing that he will compete against bigger market hosts motivates him to keep improving.

“I’m at a small-market radio station,” West said. “That just motivates me even more to push and grind harder.”

Voting for statewide radio announcers of the year ends today and winners will be honored on July 29 in Jackson.

To vote go to jmaainc.com and scroll down on the left hand side of the page to see the ballots.

“Hopefully, we can come back to Natchez with some hardware,” Myles said.