Neil Middleton Biography
Neil Middleton is an American journalist working for WYMT as vice president and general manager. He rejoined the station in 2002 and has served the station for over 2 decades. Previously, he worked for WVLT in Knoxville for 2 years.
Neil Middleton Education
Middleton joined the University of Kentucky when he finished his studies at Harlan High School. During college, he studied during the summer and worked on weekends.
Neil Middleton Career
Middleton works for WYMT as vice president and general manager. As WYMT’s vice president and general manager, Middleton aims to cover the news, find solutions to problems, promote the area, and build a better place for the coming generations.
Middleton believes journalism was his destiny with some of his earliest memories being those of hanging out at the Harlan Daily Enterprise or sitting on the studio floor at WHLN Radio listening to “True Doug Stallard” spin records. Often, he tells people that he missed his first deadline in the business by over an hour. That’s how he secured his initial broadcasting job when he was still in high school. He joined a DJ for a day contest at WFSR after his friends had talked him into it. An hour after the deadline, he walked in and got out with a part-time DJ job.
Middleton met Tony Turner at his DJ job who taught him how to run the board and broadcast the news. This chance meeting turned into a 20-year-plus friendship. He still recalls the first news story he covered for radio i.e. his high school’s Superintendent and Elementary Principal’s death due to drowning in a boating accident on Norris Lake. It was a challenge covering the story since he personally knew the victim. Covering the story also helped him realize his career path.
1980 to present;
In 1982, Middleton accepted a full-time position as a DJ and news reporter at WSFR. At the time, he used the name “John Harrison,” a combination of John Lennon and George Harrison from the Beatles. Even though the days working in radio included long hours and little pay, he believes his time there was priceless since he got to do everything and learn from Tony Turner.
At WSFR, Middleton held several positions including assistant news director, music director, program director, sports play-by-play, and DJ. Tony left the WSFR for WYMT in 1986. He moved across the street to serve WHLN alongside Jim Morgan where he learned more about broadcasting news. After 7 months, he joined WYMT and Tony as the Cumberland Valley Bureau. A year later, Tony joined the anchor desk and took over as bureau chief, a position he held until 1997 when he was promoted to assistant news director and the 6 p.m. news producer.
Middleton traveled with Tony for the next three years across U.S. 421 from Harlan to Hazard. During his career, he has won many awards for his investigative reports including an Associated Press Award for best reporter. In 2000, he left WYMT and joined WVLT in Knoxville. Following the death of Tony, he rejoined WYMT in August 2002. Even though he can’t replace Tony, he is thrilled to continue his legacy and walk in his friend’s footsteps.
Neil Middleton Age
Middleton likes to keep his personal life private and hence has not yet disclosed the year and month he was born. It is therefore not known when he celebrates his birthday. However, he might be in his 60s.
Neil Middleton Height
Middleton stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches.
Neil Middleton Family
Middleton has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight hence he has not disclosed any information about his parents. It is also not if Middleton has any siblings.
Neil Middleton Wife
Middleton is very private about his personal life therefore it is not known if he is in any relationship. There are also no rumors of his being in any past relationship with anyone.
Neil Middleton Net Worth
Middleton has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 Million – $5 Million which he has earned through being a journalist.
Neil Middleton Salary
Middleton earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500.
WYMT
Middleton is working at WYMT where he works alongside other famous anchors and reporters including;
- Steve Hensley
- Austin Hicks
- Erik Dean
- Drake Foley
- Megan Duzmal
- Armando Barry
- Audrey Hausberger