Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1523410
June/July 2024 | maconmagazine.com 77 A test of a DJ's ability to impact communities is whether they can move the masses in person as well as they do from behind the microphone. Bernice "Queen Bee" Cotton and Shirley "Mama Mia" Ellis have done both for years as Macon radio's historic heart and soul on and o -air servants. Keep reading to nd out how and why they became Macon's legendary ladies of radio on WIBB. T he road toward becoming legendary on Macon's radio airwaves is paved with positive people, places, and things that gave us Bernice "Queen Bee" Cotton. How fortunate are we? Very, many say – and with good reason. Cotton exudes goodness. Her personality is infectious. Her love for God, family, friends, and Macon is undeniable. Pair these with a passion for people, and her success during her 16 years as Macon's rst Black female gospel radio show host is even more easily lauded and applauded. F I N D I N G H E R C A L L I N G AT W I B B Cotton's career began in the '70s during a visit with her husband Tommy Cotton of the Cotton Brother's gospel band while he was on air at WBML AM. "I felt like, if he was having a lot of fun doing that, so could I. I was instantly drawn to it. It felt like my calling," she said. Soon after, she joined her husband as an employee. She quickly made her mark as a popular on-air personality getting the late "Big" George Threatt of WIBB AM's attention. He invited Cotton to join a mostly male team of R&B specialists, including notable names in the radio game – "Big Saul" Green, Alice "Party Doll" Bailey, and the world-renowned Hamp "King Bee" Swain, who came to fame recording, then launching, James Brown's hit "Please, Please, Please" and "Try Me" for the rst time ever at WIBB radio headquarters on Mulberry St. "All the male announcers called me their little sister. They all took care of me. It was such a joy being welcomed by the local radio greats," Cotton stated after also mentioning WIBB air personalities Satellite Papa, Maestro, and Mighty Rock as supportive co-workers. A G O S P E L " W H O ' S W H O " Cotton also worked at WDDO AM where she continued as "Queen Bee." Many don't know her air handle's back story, but it was given to her by her mother-in-law, Willie Floyd Brooks Mosley, at her radio anniversary at the Macon City Auditorium. Mosley placed a crown on Cotton's head at the event, marking her as royalty among local DJs – the queen of gospel radio. If that wasn't enough, Godfather of Soul James Brown and Zelma Redding, the wife of Macon soul man Otis Redding, bestowed a Pioneer Award on Cotton there. "It was awesome. Until this day I'm grateful for the presentations by my mother-in-law and these two entertainment greats," Cotton shared. Her impact transcends Macon-Bibb's borders. Cotton reminisced that, later in her career, gospel ALL HAIL QUEEN BEE ABOVE A Queen about her business in the 70s. Photo courtesy of Cotton.