Award Winning Hollywood Casting Director Susan McCray Joins Rio and Hoot on The Skunk FM

Sept. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- The Skunk FM, Mendocino County’s True Hits Channel announced today, Hollywood Casting Director/Producer and Radio Host, Susan McCray will be joining the “Rio and Hoot in the Morning Show” as a new host. Starting Monday, Sept 17th at 6 a.m., tune in and hear Susan with Rio and Hoot as they entertain listeners with up-to-the-minute pop culture news, hit songs, and entertainment news featuring Susan’s very popular daily morning feature ‘Hollywood Hotline.’

Rio and Hoot in The Morning Show” is one of the most listened-to morning
shows in the Mendocino area on The Skunk FM airing simultaneously worldwide on the internet at www.theskunkfm.com The station’s General Manager and morning show co-host Hoot Hooten said:  “Susan has what it takes to make for a fun, playful and thoughtful co-host. The addition of such a well-known and respected entertainment guru will further resonate with and excite our entertainment-savvy listeners. Susan’s passion and energy for radio and all of the entertainment industry is undeniable and we can't wait to have her join us. She has great chemistry with Rio and myself which will definitely entertain and engage listeners every morning."

Susan McCray began her entertainment career as a singer under contract to Monument Records, recording in Nashville, TN. After being on tour for her record “Say A Prayer For Michael” Susan returned home to Southern CA and found herself working in the casting office of the hit TV shows “Bonanza” and “The High Chaparral” at Paramount Studios. After several years, Susan went on to work on classic Paramount shows as Happy Days, Mannix, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple and at Warner Bros. she worked on the successful series “Kung Fu” starring David Carradine.

Her big break was given to her by Michael Landon, who hired her to cast “Little House on the Prairie” which she cast for 10 years under the banner of Susan McCray Casting. She simultaneously cast: “Hawaii 5-0,” “Father Murphy,” the acclaimed film “Sam’s Son” starring Eli Wallach,
“The Diary of Anne Frank” starring Oscar winning actor Maximillian Schell, Emmy award winner Doris Roberts, Melissa Gilbert,”The Loneliest Runner” starring Brian Keith,  “Rodeo Girl” starring Katherine Ross and Wilford Brimley and the award winning film “The Five of Me.”

As VP of Talent for Michael Landon productions, Susan cast the series  “Highway To Heaven” for five years, the Emmy nominated movie for television “Where Pigeons Go To Die” starring Art Carney, and cast a pilot /movie of the week for CBS entitled “US,” which would be her best friend, Michael Landon’s last project before his passing in 1991.

Susan co-produced the highly rated tribute movie about her close friend and co-worker, Michael Landon – “Memories of Love and Laughter” for NBC. The DVD is now sold with proceeds going to the Michael Landon Children’s Cancer Research Fund for which Susan helped start. McCray was hired by NBC to cast two Bonanza movie specials starring Academy Award winner Ben Johnson, Leonard Nimoy, Dennis Farina, Dean Stockwell and Linda Gray. A few of McCray’s discoveries include: Jason Bateman, Paul Walker, Stephen Dorff, Melissa Gilbert, Shannen Doherty.

Susan’s interview show “Getting To Know You” on internet radio KSAV.org is in its 8th successful year. Susan authored the acclaimed children’s book “Harry’s Piano” based on the young life of her father. The best selling and critically acclaimed CD “Warm Heart…. Cool Hands” performed by Vincent Falcone and Trio was produced by Susan, and this year, she developed her fragrance line named after a theme composed by her Oscar winning father, “Nightfall by Susan McCray,” which was featured in the Academy Award gift bag to all nominees. Susan McCray has received accolades and awards for her work in the entertainment business, her philanthropic work and as a supporter of the Arts and Education.

“I’ve been immersed in the entertainment business all my life. With success in television, film, music, and internet radio, live radio is both an exciting and natural next step in my career. I look forward to waking up audiences, making friends and having fun along with my men Rio and Hoot in the morning on The Skunk FM.”

For interviews please contact Hoot Hooten at: hoot@theskunkfn