NATCHEZ — Two local radio broadcasters won statewide announcer of the year awards this week at the Jackson Music Awards in Jackson.

Jerome Myles and Dillon West of WTYJ 97.7 FM Natchez won gospel announcer of the year and R&B announcer of the year, respectively.

Both said they were thrilled to win the awards.

Myles said it was special for him because he won with West.

“I took Dillon under my wing when he was a student at Alcorn,” Myles said. “This was my third time winning an award like this, and I dedicated it to my mentor, W.J. Squalls. So winning this award while Dillon won his made it even more special.”

Myles said he was relieved to finally win award No. 3 because two years ago when he was up for the award, he fell short of winning it.

As for West, this was the first time he won a statewide announcer of the year award. And being 23 years old, West said he believes he is the youngest to ever win the R&B announcer of the year award.

“It’s amazing, considering that I’m going against announcers with bigger networks,” West said. “Winning the award still hasn’t hit me yet. My phone has been going off ever since I won. It’s crazy.”

West said he was not nervous about contending for the honor, but he was shocked since he competed against announcers from bigger markets.

West said winning his first statewide announcer of the year award alongside Myles made it even more special.

“(Myles) has mentored me since my days at Alcorn State University,” West said. “To win the award with somebody I have looked up to was amazing. That was a good experience because he has taught me a lot of things about the radio business.”

Both said they were happy their hard work and campaigning paid off in the end.

“We battled and campaigned like crazy because it’s been a while since our station won an award for like this,” Myles said. “So we are very excited to bring both awards back to Natchez.”