Meet the Founder

JJ BLACKSHAW
Owner | Founder | On-Air Personality

A woman with brown hair, wearing purple sunglasses, a black denim jacket, bright yellow pants, and jewelry, sitting on a rusty metal staircase with a brick wall and graffiti in the background.

Meet the Crew

Nate McDonald

Creative Partner | Photographer | Designer | Merch

A man with a beard, wearing a backwards cap, sitting indoors with a camera in his hand. The background features skateboard art and posters on the wall.

Behind-the-Scenes Support

Alex Blackshaw

A smiling man with tattoos on his arms, wearing a dark gray shirt, crossing his arms against a black background.

My name is JJ Blackshaw, and I’ve spent the last 6+ years in radio as an on-air personality, programmer, and senior sales lead. I’ve worked across Cheyenne stations, where I built strong audiences, boosted female listenership by 300%, and consistently topped the charts in sales and client growth. Beyond radio, I’m also a proud wife, mom of three, and co-founder of the RISE Foundation of Wyoming, where I’ve helped provide Thanksgiving meals for military families and organized drives to support veterans.

I started Hardwired Radio Group because I saw a need for something real. Traditional radio has become watered down by corporate playlists and out-of-town programming, leaving little space for authentic voices, local music, or stories that reflect our community. I wanted to create a station that is Live. Local. Loud. — built in Cheyenne, for Cheyenne.

This work is important to me because radio has always been about connection. Hardwired Hits isn’t just about music; it’s about giving local artists a platform, lifting up nonprofits like The RISE Foundation of Wyoming and We Matter 2 Pet Rescue, and keeping the heart of our community alive. Hardwired Hits is more than a station — it’s a way to bring people together through sound, stories, and support.

Nate McDonald is a huge part of the Hardwired Radio Group and the creative force behind much of our visual identity. As our photographer, designer, and merch guru, Nate brings Hardwired to life through powerful visuals, clean design, and high-quality branded gear.

Through his work with Nate Mc Photo, Nate captures the moments, energy, and people that make Hardwired what it is — from live events and community partnerships to branding visuals that define our look and feel. From event photography and design to creating and printing all of our hats, t-shirts, and merchandise, Nate plays an essential role in how Hardwired shows up in the world.

More than anything, Nate genuinely believes in the Hardwired vision and in supporting local businesses and community projects. He’s always willing to jump in, lend a hand, and help bring ideas to life — and he somehow manages to make it all fun along the way. Hardwired Radio Group simply wouldn’t be what it is without his talent, support, and friendship.

Alex Blackshaw has been a constant source of support in building Hardwired Radio Group from the ground up. From long days and late nights to big ideas and bigger challenges, his encouragement, belief, and steady presence have made this journey possible. While he may not always be in the spotlight, his role behind the scenes is an essential part of Hardwired’s foundation.