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10 Questions with ... Kelly K
September 19, 2006
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1 Please outline your radio career stops so far:
I was on-air all through high school & college at small stations, so when I graduated I went right into programming at a small station in upstate New York. Then I took it to a rated market, at WSKS (Kiss 102)/Utica. Then I wanted to do mornings, so I went to WBHT/Wilkes-Barre to work with Kid Kelly. Then I wanted to be on the right side of the board again in a bigger market, so I worked part-time at WBMX in Boston and full-time at WZMX in Hartford. Then I wanted back into programming, so here I am at 'KRZ.
2 How would you describe your first radio gig?
I was 14 and WWLR was the Lyndon State College (VT) FM signal, programmed like a 'Hot Hits' station, by Ben Hamilton, who is now at WXXX/Burlington. My first paying gig, when I was old enough to get a job was at WLTN-AM in Littleton, NH. I was running the board for the 1986 World Series when my Red Sox let it slip right through their legs!
3 What led you to a career in radio?
Music! I was making up my own Top 20 countdowns with my Dad's stereo when I was 12. I wanted to be a rock star, but my parents wouldn't let me join a band. They WOULD let me be on the radio, because they knew where I was at all times. Of course, this was before voicetracking.
4 How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
Competitive and saturated! It's an older market, so everyone is targeting 25-54. WKRZ has been Mainstream CHR since we signed on in 1980, so we hold our own 25-54, sometimes even coming in at #1. But we target 18-34 and 18-49, and dominate there. Our direct competition is Citadel's CHR, WBHT and their Active Rock station WBSX. On the 25-54 tip we're competing with Citadel's big AC WMGS and Shamrock's heritage Classic Rock WEZX, and also our sister Country WGGY. Smaller signals going after 25-54 include Shamrock's new 80s/90s Hot AC WQFM, Independent Adult Hits WWRR "The River," and our own WFEZ "Easy 103" and WDMT "The Mountain" Triple-A.
5 Could you give us a little insight into the 'KRZ on air staff?
We have a heritage morning show, Rocky & Sue, who've been here since 1989. Well, they did leave for a year but we were lucky and got them back! Their producer, Psycho Mike, has grown into a third talent which makes vacations a lot easier. My PD, "Some Guy Named Tias," does the first part of middays 9-11am, I take it from 11a-3p. We have another market legend, Jumpin' Jeff Walker in the afternoon, who's worked for KRZ since sign-on! And he's still hip. His "Whackjobs" parody songs are hilarious, and every 2 years he puts 'em out on a CD and it tops the local Soundscan. Shila is his young, hip producer who keeps the show from being too testosterone-y. Jeff works our traffic reporter Rusty Fender into the show as a third personality and there's a gay entertainment reporter, Lance Dancewell, who makes a daily appearance. Our night guy is homegrown - Fishboy started on weekends and he has the talent, passion and drive to take this as far as he wants to.
6 What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
WZOU/Boston (now Jammin 94.5) when Karen Blake, "The Madam," did nights. Kiss 108 across the street with Lady D The Real Diana Steele on late nights. I grew up thinking girls were SUPPOSED to be night jocks!
7 Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?
1984-1986. I was 14 and starting out in radio, and it was a real good cycle for Pop music. Duran Duran, Madonna, Berlin, Howard Jones, U2 - I guess I'm the girl in the Bowling For Soup song!
8 Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
My hubby is teaching me photography, his professional craft. I'm getting pretty good at it - I like dramatic landscapes, nature and wildlife photography.
9 What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
It's a fountain of youth! I still feel like I did when I was doing this in high school, only now without the zits and the insecurity. And I make more money.
10 What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?
Well...we as an industry have made it pretty shallow with voicetracking taking away all that fertile ground of the overnights and weekends. And this new crop of kids doesn't seem to be as willing to do what it takes - but look again! I've found a lot of kids with the same "old school" attitude that built this business. The ones that will work that 6-10am shift on a Saturday morning at the last minute or run the board for a live broadcast. Water them and they will grow. And PDs? Don't throw out somebody's package just because they don't happen to work in your exact format and then bitch that there's no one out there for your job opening! Use your damn imagination, or pull that AC or Country jock in for a weekend on-air audition. Come ON people!
Bonus Questions
For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
I'd take them out to Ricketts Glen State Park for a breathtaking hike featuring 32 named waterfalls, and several more unnamed, some which are 90-feet high. Then I'd show them the valley from on top of the mountain.
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