Bartlett teen is a radio host, country singer

It's a good thing Josie Passantino had a string of dull Friday nights.

If not for that boredom, the Bartlett teen wouldn't have gone online and found a couple of friends looking to start an Internet radio show. Josie wouldn't have discovered she had knack for hosting. And she certainly wouldn't have become the voice of two productions that at last count boasted more than 2 million listeners combined.

“I didn't think it would ever be something people would listen to,” Josie said. “But I found out pretty quickly I had a following.”

The 16-year-old, also a singer awaiting the release of her own modern country album, now spends most Friday nights in her bedroom-turned-studio where she works with a couple of laptops, dons a headset, takes calls, ponders life and interviews a wide array of musical artists.

Nearest and dearest to her heart is “The Josie Show,” which according to Internet server data has about 200,000 listeners worldwide. It was recognized in 2010 and 2011 with Podcast Award nominations in the entertainment category, going up against shows including “The Morning Stream,” “Hogwarts Radio” and “Am I Bugging You?”

Though Josie's show didn't win, the nominations illustrate how far it's come since Country Music Television correspondent Katie Cook agreed to be her first guest more than two years ago.

“She's considered a ‘get,' so I was totally surprised to book her,” Josie said. “She probably thought it was cute that I was 14 and had a radio show, and looking back you can tell I had no idea what I was doing.”

Of the 130 or so guests to appear since then, actress Nicole Anderson of Disney's “Jonas: L.A.” and the “Mean Girls 2” movie proved the most popular. Josie's mom, Tina Passantino, recalls how the switchboard “looked like Christmas” when all 200 phone lines lit up, many with emotional fans.

“I love letting someone talk to the celebrity they've been dying to talk to,” Josie said. “Most people never get that opportunity.”

A few of Josie's guests, most of whom call in, stepped into a mentor role for the ambitious entrepreneur. One she now considers family is Skyler Jett, who replaced Lionel Richie as lead singer of the Commodores and has worked with artists such as Celine Dion.

Josie's expanding audience quickly led to a regular gig guest hosting at the Southern Star Network, a nonprofit Internet satellite radio site based in South Carolina, and eventually her own weekly show.

While “The Josie Show” plays music by new artists, “Josie's Hard Country” has the licensing to play chart-topping country songs. Josie also delves into topics such as how different music genres affect one's mood and the dangers of earbuds.

According to the network, about 2 million listeners tune in every Saturday night.

As if her schedule wasn't crazy enough, Josie somehow manages to squeeze in school. She hopes to graduate a year early from James Madison High School, an accredited online program.

Though home-schooling allows for more flexibility to take calls, conduct interviews and do research, it became evident that the shows were blossoming into something bigger than Josie could handle alone.

To help out, Tina Passantino left her career as a KinderCare district manager to become Josie's full-time manager, booking the guests, handling the marketing and other behind-the-scenes tasks.

She said “The Josie Show” is starting to kick things up a notch, looking to find ways to become profitable — including selling online ads.

“For me, the most important thing is supporting my child so that she can be self-sufficient and have a career that will provide a good life,” Passantino said. “I also do my best to make sure she still has time for school and friends.”

Surrounding herself with entertainers reawakened Josie's own love for singing, which she used to showcase as a student in choirs and talent shows at Bartlett's Centennial and Eastview schools.

She began working with a New Jersey-based vocal coach via Skype (“You really can do anything over the Internet,” Josie says) and sought out songwriter Milliea McKinney, CEO of Conscious Music Entertainment in northern Kentucky and Nashville.

McKinney taught Josie the basics of songwriting and fine-tuned the lyrics the teen penned. The result is “Life and Love are Tricky,” a modern country album due out in a couple of months. In January, they expect to release the single “Teenage Girl.”

“She's a powerhouse,” McKinney said. “She'll certainly be something in this business.”

If Josie has her way, that something will be a singing radio personality to combine both her passions. And if her 16th birthday was any indication of her future, she just may stand a chance.

For the first time in several years, she performed in front of a live audience during her celebration at the Cadillac Ranch in Bartlett. The response from about 100 people as they listened to Josie — whose voice is reminiscent of Miranda Lambert — was overwhelmingly positive.

“We hired a country singer from Georgia to sing, but it was Josie who ended up bringing down the house,” Tina Passantino said.

Josie recognizes that with her audiences, she also has an opportunity to do some good.

She has embraced fundraisers and contests that support cancer patients, veterans and the Muzart World Foundation, which works to restore arts programs in schools. She also has done public service announcements on topics including the proper disposal of plastic and bullying that appear online and at live concerts.

“I hope I can use my show and voice to help people,” Josie said. “I want to make what I'm doing a business and benefit people in the process.”

Ÿ Kimberly Pohl wrote today's column. She and Elena Ferrarin always are looking for Suburban Standouts to profile. If you know of one, please send a note including name, town, email and phone contacts for you and the nominee to standouts@dailyherald.com or call our Standouts hotline at (847) 608-2733.

Josie Passantino

<B>Age</b>: 16

<b>Hometown</b>: Bartlett

<B>School: </b> James Madison High School

<b>Who inspires you?</b> Milliea McKinney for her love, support, all she has taught me about positivity, songwriting and helping me be the best I can be. Milliea, with her work and loving heart, is an inspiration to me throughout all parts of my life. Skyler Jett for his love, support, humanitarianism and positive work content. Pauli Carman for his love, support and showing me about how making music your life can be so rewarding. My parents for supporting me with everything they have while I reach for all of my dreams. This would not be possible without them!

<B>What's on your iPod?</b> Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood.

<b>What book are you reading? </b> <B>The three words that best describe you?</b>: Energetic, Positive, Loving.

<b>How to tune in: </B>“The Josie Show” airs at 7 p.m. Friday nights on josieshow.com. Past shows are archived on the website. “Josie's Hard Country” airs on thesouthernstar.org.