Editor’s Note: Jessica Chandler was a close friend and colleague of radio personality TJ Phillips and the longtime co-host of “TJ & Jessica in the Morning” on 92.5 Kickin’ Country.
Our work week was a little different than most. 4:30 a.m. arrival, always a dark empty parking lot. We would say hello to each other and regroup the events of our daily lives and then share it with the world. The “show” to TJ was everything. He wanted to entertain and inform our listeners every single day. It was his goal to give people an escape from whatever was going on in their lives, and he was humbled that people chose to spend their time with the “TJ and Jessica” show.
He told real life stories that always made me question the validity. Like that one time he wrestled a bear. I didn’t believe him at all, but a few weeks after he told the story, he nonchalantly walked into the studio and handed me a picture. There he was, with his arm around a bear!
TJ had the biggest heart. We ended every show with happy stories, and he usually could not even finish the story because he was crying. His passions were pets and kids. His work with pet charities is legendary, and anyone who listened knows how he loved taking care of stray cats. He reveled in hosting the Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital (Cares for Kids) Radiothon. Honestly, there was not a cause that he would not get behind if it helped someone less fortunate. He would joke that his wife gave him an allowance because if he had full access to the bank account, he would give all of their money away.
If I had to choose a defining word for TJ Phillips, it would be “local.” TJ had an incredible way of acknowledging the massive growth of Charleston (which he wasn’t the biggest fan of), but he always reminded people of the local treasures. He also loved to brag that he had his own breakfast sandwich at Page’s Okra Grill. It is called TJ’s Hot Mess. You know you have “made it” when you get your own sandwich named after you!
And TJ loved his country music. He knew the artists. He knew the songwriters. He loved anything that pertained to storytelling, and he had so much respect for songwriting. He had personal relationships with Garth (Brooks) and Darius (Rucker). He would often text Darius during the show. But one of his favorite artists was Kris Kristofferson. Kris is who really sparked his love for country music.
Vince Gill was also one of his favorites, and little did we all know that on June 6 at the PAC (North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center) it would be TJ’s last concert. TJ was deeply touched by his song lyrics, and his post after the show in some ways sums up TJ Phillips’ view of the world. Referring to Vince Gill’s lyrics, he said: “They made me realize that I am not alone in this bizarro world we are living in.”
I miss him so much already.
By Jessica Chandler
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