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10 Questions with ... Chris Kelly
January 17, 2006
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NAME:Chris KellyPOSITION:OM/PDSTATION:KSME/KQLF/KPAW/KCOL/KIIXMARKET:Ft. Collins, COOWNER:Clear Channel
Please outline your radio career so far:
98-99: KIXY/KWFR/KKSA
00-present: KSME/KQLF/KPAW/KCOL/KIIX1 How would you describe your first radio gig?
A learning experience, that's for sure. It's motivated me to "promote myself out of a paper bag" which apparently there was some question of at the time. But I always think of that line, even today, and am grateful for the opportunities I've had to do just that.
2 What led you to a career in radio?
I was literally stuck in San Angelo, because the friend I had moved there with met someone (who eventually became his wife), which meant he wasn't going to leave. Don't misunderstand, San Angelo is a really nice place, but I wanted to move on and since I couldn't afford to leave alone, I needed to find work. From a classified ad in the paper, I landed a sales gig which, as it turned out, was at the station. I fell in love with radio immediately, quickly worked my way up through the ranks at the station, and eventually, left the market.
3 What is your favorite part of the job?
Nothing beats hearing the perfect sweeper or jingle with a perfect crossfade into a perfect song intro and knowing that it was heard on your station; you crank up the radio and say "damn, that sounded good." That's my favorite part.
4 Using one sentence for each, how would you describe the air staff at the station?
Big Rob: He's young and eager to prove himself, with that natural, un-teachable "groove" on the air.
Ryan Kramer: Hard working, willing to do what it takes to make it on/off the air.
Fizz: So automatic, you never need to worry about him, period.
AJ Bender: Very willing to learn, very passionate, and bottom line, can make it happen.5 Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Probably Scotty Davis. I'd bet most CHR PD's have played an old KDWB night show aircheck for their night jock and said "like that." I know I have.
6 What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
In Denver it was KS-104 and Y-108, even AM 95 KIMN. I still have a stuffed KIMN chicken (missing an eye, which my dog ate). Also enjoyed the old KTCL and KBCO, too.
7 What music do you listen to when you're not working?
I enjoy AAA stuff and Standards, with a fusion of Top 40. Artists as diverse as Del Amitri and David Gray, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, Beyonce and the Black Eyed Peas. I've even learned to appreciate Country, which I would never have thought possible.
8 What advice you would give people new to the business?
Embrace the new technology and media and think differently about everything you are taught. If you do something the same way year to year you'll be a dinosaur before you're 30, choking on the dust of the younger guy across town.
9 Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
KISS FM's Wild Ten Thousand Dollar Free Money Free For All. A long name but we saw amazing results. A mock car-jacking, stolen station vehicle and ten grand cash, clues that lead to $1000 a pop, then a region-wide search for a fugitive stuffed elf named "Cletus" that was worth $5000. Rob Thomas and Adam Gaynor announced on-stage to a sold out Matchbox Twenty show that "Cletus has been found" to a smattering of boos, which baffled them because they had no idea what they were talking about... it was SWEET.
10 Podcasting. Instant downloads. Blogs. How can we use the ever-increasing digital technologies to give radio listeners their entertainment fix?
Everything we do has to enforce the station brand. We have to find a way to embrace all of the competitive media and use it to our advantage rather than trying to compete with it. Take the best of our stations, make them on-demand via the new technology, and recycle people back to radio for more.
P.S.: if your Top 40 isn't on myspace yet, you're missing the boat.
Bonus Questions
How would you describe your personal work space?
Ready to be condemned! Thankfully, we move into a brand spanking new building in a couple of months. A big, beautiful building with its own outdoor amphitheatre, breathtaking views of the mountains AND a brand new Hooters right next door! It's like a little slice of heaven.
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