A native of Indiana, Jearlyn Steele relocated to Minnesota where she discovered her destiny. After much encouragement and community support, Jearlyn ventured out singing in churches, community centers and nightclubs. This eventually led her to theater where she has performed at such venues as Penumbra Theater of St. Paul, the Old Log Theater in Excelsior, The Historical State Theater in downtown Minneapolis, the famous Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, and the world renowned Guthrie Theater. Over a decade ago, Jearlyn, along with her siblings, The Steeles, began a successful run of the pop/gospel musical "Gospel At Colonus" which made its way to Broadway in 1988 and finally to Carnegie Hall. After Colonus, Jearlyn recorded many national and local commercials for companies such as Wilson Leather, Marshall Fields, Slumberland, Aveda, Target and many more. Her voice can be heard on various CD's for national artists like Prince, with whom she has toured, George Clinton and Mavis Staples.
Jearlyn Steele is a featured motivational singer at national award conferences for corporations such as Wells Fargo Bank, NRG, American Express Financial Services, and Carlson Wagonlit just to name a few. She has also been a frequent special guest on the prestigious Prairie Home Companion Show and has served as an entertainment reporter for various shows at KTCA Public Television. Among her honors are; Newsmaker of the Year 1998 by the MN Women's Press, The William (Billy) Griffin Award by the Hallie Q. Brown Center, Beautiful Strong Woman 2002, and Honorary Member of the Gustavus Library Association. Jearlyn has also written and produced radio commercials.
Currently, she host a radio show on 830 WCCO Radio where her talk show, Steele Talkin, can be heard every Sunday night from 7pm to 11pm in approximately thirty states nationwide and is streamed via WCCORadio.com.. Jearlyn's show covers everything from politics, to people in the news and from education to empowering her listeners.
A mother of two, Jearlyn has branched out to become more involved in creating ways to affect women and children's lives in a positive way through music and public speaking. She has served on boards for the Ordway Circle of Stars and Chrysalis, a center for women.
Year Hired at WCCO Radio: 1997
Dream Interview: President Clinton or Barack OBama
Dream Job: Full time WCCO radio host
Role Model: Mother, Sally Birdsong, & teacher, Betsy Tatum
Hometown: Gary, Indiana
Hidden Talent: Writer
Favorite Cartoon Character: Foghorn Leghorn
Memorable Concert you’ve seen: Sade
Favorite Car you’ve ever had: Volvo 960
Favorite Author: Charles Dickens
Favorite Sport to play: Ping Pong
Favorite travel destination: Paris, France
3 cities/towns you’ve lived in: Gary, Los Angeles, Minneapolis
3 movies you could watch over and over: The Godfather, When Harry Met Sally, A Room With A View
3 jobs you’ve had: TV Host, Bank Trust Department, Secretary to College Professors
3 TV shows you like to watch: Househunters, Keith Oberman, Top Chef
3 of your favorite foods: green beans, salmon, coconut cake
3 places you love to visit: Paris, Seoul, Wikiki Beach
3 of your favorite books: Beloved, A Tale Of Two Cities, Presidential Ambition
3 of your favorite musician/music groups: Prince, Jevetta Steele
What is your greatest pet peeve? Cleanliness
What decade do you think had the best fashion, and why? The 40's, People dressed up!
Share something about the most amazing place you have visited in your life: Busan, Korea, Where men greeted each other with a kiss, & children worked hand in hand... very peaceful.
Worst advice you ever received: Stop Singing!
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