Redding, a nonpartisan nonvoting independent known as "America's Independent Voice," is perhaps so respected because of his more than a decade of experience in the media. He uses his expertise as a member of the Washington, D.C. press corps -  including  his time as a former reporter for The Washington Times - to publish "Black Web Award"-winning ReddingNewsReview.com, an independent online daily newspaper, and The Washington Continent, a daily publication covering Washington,  D.C. And with more than a decade in music and talk radio he is the host Redding News Review- The Show, an independent syndicated news program heard in almost 20 cities and on XM 169. 

     Redding also uses his early exposure to the dirty world of politics, as a president of the Young Democrats and manager of a political campaign, to author "Hired Hatred: Why politicians and the political prejudices they tout are mutually exclusive from good government." In September of 2006, he founded Independent Thinkers -  a 501(c)(3) tax exempt think tank, educational and advocacy group dedicated to conducting research and rewarding its members with scholarships, internships, jobs, publishing, broadcasting and networking opportunities.  The organization, which has more than 150 members, basis much of its policy position on Redding's book "Hired Hatred."  (Note: His first foray into being a published author came in 2001 in "In Dawn's Shadow"). Last, unknown to some, Redding has been an abstract "Smear" painter since age 12.  This "Smear" painters work can be found at the Warehouse in Washington, D.C. and at the Classic Art House in Brussels Belgium. His works have also been included in the upcoming independent film "Art House." "It is always an event anytime Rob Redding's smear paintings are featured," writes John Blee, a respected critic and artist. (See page 27)

Robert "Rob" Redding's beginning

     Rob, age 32, is the son of Rev. Robert Redding Sr., an Atlanta pastor and former president of the Fayette County's Black Voters League, and the late Mary Ann Redding, who was an Atlanta public school teacher and a Fayette school board candidate. He began his media career as a hip-hop radio personality at KZWA-FM, while on a full debate scholarship at McNeese State University in Lake Charles in 1994.

     In 1996, he accepted a full time position as a hip-hop night personality at WIBB-FM in Macon, GA - where he was named "Tony Smoove" by his program director. (Ironically, Macon is a city where the Redding family name is known for the accomplishments of another family member, '60s soul singer  Otis Redding - known for Sittin' On the Dock Of The Bay, Try A Little Tenderness, I've Been Loving You Too Long, These Arms of Mine, Shake, Tramp and Merry Christmas Baby/White Christmas). 

Robert "Rob" Redding's radio career

     In Macon, as "Tony Smoove," Redding became known for his plainspoken top rated talk show "What's on Yo Mine at 9." In 1998, he departed WIBB for cross-town rival WFXM-FM, where he continued his talk show, amid a southern hip-hop format. There Redding introduced the world to Warren Anderson Mathis -- known as the multi-platinum selling rapper Bubba Sparxxx -- on his album "Tony Smoove's Aircheck Volume 1." (The disc, released by Crystal Castle Productions, was also responsible for producing rap artist Sonny Spoon, CI, and Mr. Holloway). 

      Fed up with the direction of hip-hop, Redding eventually left WFXM and landed as a fill in talk show host at WOL-AM in the District in 1999. While in the District, he grew the now defunct National Association of Non-Political Policy Makers, took reporting jobs for a string of weekly and daily newspapers and created and hosted his own television talk show, "Sunday Speech." In October 2000, he left the District to join the The Macon Telegraph as a reporter. In December 2001, Redding left The Telegraph to join WAOK-AM to start a daily award winning talk radio program, where he was called "America's Independent Voice." 

     After being named to Talkers magazine's distinguished list of the "100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America"- which followed being referred to as "one of Atlanta's leading radio talk host" by BET and MSNBC and called an "Industry Leader" in talk radio by AllAccess.com -  he left the station in May 2003 to start his nationally syndicated radio show.  (He was awarded a proclamation from the Atlanta City Council for his work a week after his departure).

      When Redding returned to Atlanta radio exactly one year later with his syndicated show Redding News Review "Atlanta's media authority" Kemincations.com declared: "The King of Urban and Independent Talk is Back." His syndicated show has been heard across the nation on XM 169 The Power; at various times on his 10 affiliate stations from New York City to Atlanta;  and every Sunday at 4 p.m. EDT in the form of a podcast posted on ReddingNewsReview.com on the World Wide Web.

Robert "Rob" Redding, the independent journalist and activist

     Rob launched his first online journalistic enterprise The Political Critic, a none partisan newsletter dissecting politics in government - originally part of the defunct Web-based National Association of Non-Political Policy Makers  - before moving to the District from Macon in June 1999.  The organization has since evolved into Independent Thinkers.

     "I think it is important for people to understand what their parties are doing from a none political perspective," he said of the monthly sent to more than 100 readers in 23 states via e-mail. 

     While in the District, he used "Sunday Speech," his weekly talk television show, to tout the independent view of thinking, opposite guest Republicans and Democrats.

     "The show was different because it was among the first to have a complete political round table of all views," he said. 

     However, Rob didn't stop there, almost two years after moving back from the District to Georgia he started ReddingNewsReview.com on March 25, 2002. He says the site is a hub of information aimed at providing "The Pressing News You Need to Know." (Read more) 

     Since its start, ReddingNewsReview.com has been credited for its coverage by The Washington Times and The National Newspaper Association. Upscale magazine wrote Rob is "evolving into one of the most respected names in the media."  The Web site has been called "the nation's top black news site" by Atlanta media news site Keminications.com.

Robert "Rob" Redding's the speaker and tireless worker

      Redding has become a regular guest on Fox News and a panelist on the Committee for an Independent Party's Choosing an Independent President's "Is the Media Biased Against Independents" panel - which was aired on C-SPAN.  He has also served as a panelist for the National Association for Black Journalist and the Atlanta Urban Media Makers. He has addressed the National Council of Negro Women Metropolitan Atlanta Section, journalism students at the University of Maryland, Morris Brown College in Georgia and Howard Community College in Maryland. 

       But Redding has not stopped there, he has worked as a paid consultant to Fort Valley State (GA) University's college newspaper "The Peachite." He has also served as treasurer of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalist, after overseeing the development of its "Media Watch Program."