Many know him by “Snacks” because he will eat you out of house and home but some know him as Daron Harris, senior mass communication major and a laid-back guy who became a radio personality, D.J., and host all in one night. People wonder how he can be a radio host and have such a relaxed personality.

“I believe it’s more of me being grounded than me being laid back. I bring my personality out when I have to … I am more of an observer,” Harris said.

An ex-basketball player at Missouri Southern, Harris, became a celebrity literally overnight when a close friend introduced him to the operational manager at KSYN 92.5.

“They hooked me up,” Harris said. “He told me that I was able to get the job if I can work overnight.”

He was offered a job on Chris Cortez’s show working nights from 7 – 12 p.m. Sports were not really the way to go for Harris. He started his journey at Southern on a basketball scholarship, then became ineligible. After a year of getting his grades up, he had to decide if he wanted to continue his career on the basketball court or start fulfilling his dreams as becoming an internationally known personality and T.V. host.

He decided to start living the dream. Harris says starting his career in Joplin instead of his hometown of St. Louis has been much easier. St. Louis is in the top 20 in market ratings. Harris feels he has been able to learn more and gain more experience by starting out in the smaller market.

Harris says his career has been influenced J-Nicks, an upcoming celebrity based out of St. Louis who has now moved to Atlanta to continue his career. Harris thinks that he and J-Nicks share similar personalities as well as a common hometown.

Harris hopes to mix music and radio in his career. After he graduates, Harris wants to continue his journey, hopefully to the West Coast where he feels his personality shine.

“Hopefully, if I’m blessed enough to move to a bigger market it will be the West Coast because it will fit me more,” Harris said.