MEET
MAVERICK
The Radio Host
WORDS: Amy Bell
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
As the radio host of 92.1 CTQ’s “Maverick & Lulu in the
Morning,” Maverick Johnson is a household name for
local country music fans. But there’s more to this popular
media personality than meets the ear. In addition to his love of
music, entertainment, and sports, Maverick is also passionate
about giving back to the community.
“Being able to help and make a difference in our wonderful
community is by far the best thing we get to do in this job,” he
enthuses. “From collecting thousands of toys with our local
Marines each holiday season to giving away free mammograms
to those who don’t have access to these lifesaving tests to helping
kids through different organizations. I began volunteering early
in my career, and I love everything about it.”
On the Air
Maverick, a two-time CMA Award nominee, broadcasts weekday
mornings to Southwest Florida on 92.1 CTQ, Sarasota’s Suncoast
Country station since 1986. It all started back in 1990 when
launched his career as an intern at the station.
“I was hired part-time shortly thereafter, working in several
departments and learning different aspects of the industry,” he
recalls. “From producing shows, producing commercials, helping
with sales and then learning several positions on the air, including
news, sports, talk shows, and music shows.”
Throughout his broadcasting career at CTQ, Maverick has hosted
the morning show as well as the afternoon show. He says he
loves country music and cherishes the time he’s been able to
spend with some of today’s biggest country stars. When asked
which artists were the most interesting and memorable to meet,
Maverick mentioned some impressive names.
“I got to spend a lot of time with Keith Urban at Joyland before
he was ‘Keith Urban,’ when he was just an unknown and up-andcoming
artist,” he says. “That was awesome.”
Early in his career, Maverick also had the opportunity to hang out
with Blake Shelton for an evening. “He was another up-and-coming
artist,” Maverick remembers. “He was hungry, so we grabbed
some dinner. The thing that still stands out to this day about that
night was how much fun he was. Just a happy and funny person.”
Shelton was particularly riveted by something we Southwest
Floridians nd fairly commonplace. “He kept asking me all about
5
With A Big Heart