The poop (who we are)

Dave Leonard
Founder, Program Director

A Radio programming veteran for nearly 3 decades, Radio Unleashed Founder and tastemaker Dave Leonard has been nationally recognized for his ardent presentation of music --- combining the best new music, underappreciated old bones, and perennially awesome ear candy.

As a young pup, Dave nosed his way into the industry while a freshman at Denison University's WDUB eventually becoming Program Director and later, Station Manager. Lured by the call of the wild (and skiing and mountain climbing), he then served as evening Programming Host for KMTN, Jackson Hole.

But like any red-blooded dog, the search for a bigger bone was on: it wasn't long before Dave returned east, working by day as an account executive for Dutchess Newspapers and dj by night at WDST. In 1992 he left to help start up WKZE. He consolidated and combined his skills, lending his paws as afternoon dj, and Regional Sales Manager and unofficial Music and Program Director responsibilities to noncommercial Triple-A startup WKZE. Radio Unleashed started airing on the weekends as he was joined in the studio with his yellow lab Jeffrey The Dog and it soon became the foundation for their daily programming format.

In 1996, Dave returned to WDST as top dog (Program Director) at legendary Triple-A flagship WDST, until Dave again had another opportunity to take his vision global and be on the ground floor in the burgeoning development of internet radio.

As Vice President of Programming for the Woodstock Broadcasting Network Leonard headed up five Internet radio stations and managed a staff of 25 dj's, all the while continuing his Sunday night radio unleashed show on WDST.

Leonard's presence and passion has helped shape the musical direction of WKZE and WDST and has had an impact on the radio landscape of the Hudson valley and beyond. Determined to help artists that deserve to be heard by larger audiences, radio unleashed started syndicating in the spring of 2011.

With the help of listeners and fans and friends, he selects the songs that become part of his weekly show and ultimately a part of today's pop culture. Many of the bands go on to commercial radio success and are featured in film soundtracks and commercials. Well known for his rapport with artists, Dave has interviewed hundreds of local and national musicians and many of those interviews can be heard here.

Now, when Dave isn't busy running through the wild and beautiful fields of tunage that makes up Radio Unleashed, he leads the pack at JTD Productions, Inc., the Hudson Valley's leading professional disc jockey entertainment service. Dave He also produces three yearly charity events, having raised tens of thousands of dollars to date for organizations and people in need.

Leonard is a proud Dad to his two daughters, Eva and Luci, and they are often seen together parading around town. He is always frequenting festivals and music clubs, looking for great new music to bring back and share with his listeners.

Broadcasting from Woodstock to the world, every week Leonard showcases his wide taste in music and exposing adults to the best of today's new music seguing seamlessly within the classic and alternative sounds of the past fifty years. Radio Unleashed is heard weekly online and syndicated and currently airs every Thursday evening on KMTN, Friday evening and Sunday afternoon on NPR affiliate WHDD and Sunday evenings on WDST.