There was an underlying motivation for Taylor to get to New York as quickly as possible---to be able to study her first love, acting, at a respectable school.  She chose The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, or should we say they chose her since passing an audition is required to be enrolled at the famous school where once the likes of Jack Nicholson studied. She began her studies there as soon as she arrived in New York, while simultaneously building her radio marquee value doing the night shift at 97.1 WYNY (at that time an adult contemporary format).  Soon, corporate changes at station owner NBC brought about a format change at WYNY to Country Music.  Taylor turned on that station moving to the afternoon slot and signed it off 9 years later having interviewed all the superstars of the format including Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Brooks and Dunn, Wynonna just to name a few. During her tenure there, Taylor earned ratings success in her timeslot, however it was eventually the lack of format performance in the ratings overall that prompted another change for WYNY.  In the spring of 1996, New Yorkers found themselves once again without a country format. But WYNY’s loss was heritage Top 40 Station Z100's gain, and Taylor returned to her format background of Hit Music.

Finally landing at Z100 is a dream even the competitive Taylor thought she’d never realize.  “Every jock I ever met along the way, always had that sick little gleam in their eye when we’d talk about working at Z100 someday!” says Taylor. The dream came true for her in early 1996 when the heritage New York Top 40 station underwent a complete talent overhaul from the floundering mixed format attempt of Top 40 w/a skew toward Alternative and got back to its roots of playing just the Top 40 hits.  In less than a year, the re-direction took hold and Taylor was part of the winning station she’d always dreamed of working on.

While at Z100, Taylor has been a finalist for the New York Achievement in Radio Award in 1998 through 2000, winning the AIR Award for New York’s Best Midday Show in 1999.   Her Arbitron ratings have consistently ranked in the top 5, and before long, she was the first midday jock on Z100 ever to rank Arbitron Number One in that timeslot.

Taylor has had the opportunity to enjoy the experience of the Broadway stage, TV, and film while simultaneously hosting middays at New York’s Most Listened to Radio Station, Clear Channel’s flagship station WHTZ  Z100. Throughout her radio career, she’s interviewed the biggest names in the music business from Garth Brooks to Britney Spears, Aerosmith to Beyonce.  She’s had roles in soaps, has often been seen as a regular reporter on The Montel Williams Show, and recently on the WB11 as an Entertainment Reporter.  She’ll soon be seen in the feature film by Director Frank Lin, American Fusion Starring Pat Morita and Fabio, and enjoys spending spare time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer for at-risk kids.  

In late 2001, Taylor left the daily schedule of a live airshift in New York to pursue On-Camera and television & film writing/producing interests.  Relocating to the Nashville, TN area, she was the first on-camera host for the newly acquired Grand Ole Opry show on CMT, and hosted live national TV events such as Farm Aid and CMT’s Candlelight Vigil for the victims and families of 9/11.  It wasn’t long before the call of a faster pace and opportunity rang again, and this time, Taylor was off to LA.  In 2004, she relocated to the Media capital of the western world, Burbank, California, with her 10 year old son, Niko.  

Listen to Lisa Taylor each weekday from 6am-10am Eastern, right here on LiteFavorites.com - The station you hear all day at work!

Click Here To Return To The Staff Page