Big Chief - Deke Bellavia hosts The DEKE Show weekdays 10 to midnight… and WWL Sports Saturday on the BIG 870; 105.3 WWL-FM and WWL.com.

“Big Chief” Deke Bellavia moved up the media ladder the old fashioned way.  Starting on a tiny station in Amite, then moving to the larger market of Hammond, Deke caught the attention of WWL.  After volunteering as a reporter for WWL Prep Round-Up, Deke quickly moved up to the host position on WWL Sports Saturday, Prep Football Round-up and as guest host of SportsTalk.  But, it was the disaster named Katrina that won Deke Bellavia the hearts of listeners across Greater New Orleans, the Gulf South and America.  His work on United Radio of New Orleans scored Deke accolades from various press including The Los Angeles Times.  And, since Katrina, Deke takes WWL’s huge 50,000 clear signal stage every weeknight from 10 to midnight, hosting the popular DEKE Show.  He tackles tough topics like New Orleans slow moving recovery, crime, insurance, the war in Iraq, and he talks fun stuff too--like movies, food, Saints & LSU.  Deke focuses on what’s happening TODAY!  His “keep it real” style and folksy wisdom generate calls from down home and as far away as Chicago, Toronto… even Saudi Arabia!

Deke is also a member of WWL’s Saints Radio Network team.  He co-hosts “Countdown to Kick-off” with the Cajun Cannon, Bobby Hebert before every Saints games…over our 39 station network. 

Yes, Big Chief is a busy man.  But he loves keepin’ it real on the WWL-AM-FM-and WWL.com…almost as much as he loves his wife Richelle and their 4 dogs Winston & Webster (Lasaopsa’s) and Brooklyn & the Bronx(bull dogs).

Deke Bellavia was born in Metairie and now lives in Amite, Louisiana.  He is a 1999 graduate of LSU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.  Bellavia has worked in the media industry for over 10 years. 

You can reach Deke at dbellavia@entercom.com