PLEASE VISIT THE NEW RALPHIEAVERSA.COM!: TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

7.01.2009

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

At 5:20 PM on Thursday June 25, 2009, TMZ first reported the news that Michael Jackson passed away following a cardiac arrest suffered earlier that afternoon. Approximately 20 minutes later, The Ralphie Radio Show broke the news throughout Northeastern PA.

Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Weekdays at 6 on Channel 38 - The CW.
Report: 06.30.09 (Custody, Also on Death of Billy Mays)

Report: 06.26.09

Read up on TMZ's latest here.

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Four.One.One.

Interviewing celebrities, breaking national stories, blogging daily, and offering candid commentary on pop culture is just a small sample of what he does. Ralphie Aversa is the relentless, tireless, non-stop-always-go host and executive producer of “The Ralphie Radio Show.”

Ralphie began his career in near his hometown of Niagara Falls, NY – working in the promotions department for Buffalo’s Kiss 98.5 (WKSE). He would soon rise through the ranks of board operator and on-air personality while attending college.

That college was Syracuse University – where Aversa duel majored in Broadcast Journalism and Marketing, attending the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Ralphie finished up his classes in late 2007.

While in the Salt City – Ralphie branched in to all media – first radio – at legendary campus stations Z89 (WJPZ) and WAER 88.3 FM, covering everyone and everything from Wyclef Jean’s Carrier Dome visit to Syracuse University athletics. He would eventually parlay his talents in to commercial radio, again rising through the ranks at a well-known Top 40 station, this time Hot 107-9 (WWHT). By his senior year, Ralphie hosted the top-rated night show in the market.

Television soon followed – with a debut on public access, hosting a show called “Underground Video Television.” That led to a gig on local PBS affiliate WCNY – as the front man for a high school music show and game show. The next stop – national cable – as Aversa helped MSNBC launch an “On Campus” program, comprised of student reporters contributing to the news outlet’s on-air programming. Ralphie appeared during the first day of the program’s inception, reporting on a student matricide case with then MSNBC anchor Rita Crosby.

Ralphie left Syracuse for Citadel Broadcasting in August 2007 – launching “The Ralphie Radio Show” and eventually molding it into its current form: music intensive with exclusive, compelling content and a strong web component. He’s since broken national stories involving everyone from Sarah Palin to Lady GaGa. Matt Damon, Mandy Moore, Hillary Clinton – they’ve all called up, and that’s barely scratching the service.

And yes, outside of work, Ralphie does have a life… in moderation. He even finds time to hold down club DJ and hosting residencies – but really, a bio can only be so long.