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10 Questions with ... Dee Kelly
August 4, 2008
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NAME:Dee KellyTITLE:MD/MiddaysSTATIONS:KUBB 96.3 CountryMARKET:Fresno/Modesto/MercedCOMPANY:BuckleyBORN:Oakland, CARAISED:Berkeley, CA
Please outline your radio career so far:
Oh wow. This space is too little for me to fit everything.
1) What was your first job in radio? How did you know you wanted to venture into this business? When you were a kid did you think you wanted to go into broadcasting?
My first job was at a station called Q92 in Jacksonsville N.C., where I did overnights. I was an on-air intern at SURF 107 in Wilmington N.C., and the only reason I did it was because I was panicking about what to do for my internship in college. A friend hooked me up with an internship at the station and I was hooked after that. Honestly I had no idea what I wanted to do, even in my senior year in college.
2) You have literally traveled all over the world for jobs in radio. Tell us about some cool places you've lived and worked at. Are you fluent in any foreign languages?
Every place I have been to or lived has been meaningful and definitely a learning experience. I have to say doing radio in countries like Scotland and Malta have been very different, and I am glad to have the experience. I think radio in Europe is more relaxed. Unfortunately I only speak English, but even in Malta they all speak English - so it was easy.
3) You must have a broad taste in music since you have lived in several different places. Who are some artists that you are currently high on, Country and non-Country?
I love it all - country, hip-hop, rock, house, jazz, blues, classical. I just love music!
4) You are originally from California- after traveling all over for work, now you are back in the "sunshine state." What brought you back there? Would you consider moving again and what kind of job would tempt you to move?
Ahh, the sunshine state. I was tired of moving and being so far away from my family. Even though my mom lives in England most of my immediate relatives live here In California. I think a job that sparks and interest, a challenge and better pay would get me to move - I am obviously not scared to move for a job.
5) What are some of your favorite things to do in your spare time? Do you even have time to spare?
I do have some spare time and I usually go to the gym or try and get out of town, even if it's just for the day. I like to spend time with my friends, as they are more local than my family - so I end up spending more time with my friends then my family. I work hard and play hard.
6) Along with your duties at KUBB, you also voice-track for a station in Europe, correct? Tell us how that came about. Do you speak English on that station? How does international Country radio differ from American Country radio?
Although I am currently on a break from voice tracking at the Superstation in Europe, I will be doing it again soon once things here at KUBB ease up a bit. I do speak English as the station is in Scotland. For the most part radio is the same but I do have more freedom to say what I want and more freedom to play what I want.
7) What are some of the new up-and-coming acts in Country music that you are excited about? Are you going to any good concerts this summer?
We have the Merced Fair coming up where Terri Clark and Craig Morgan will be performing this year. I am always going to concerts. I just went and saw the Brad Paisley and Jewel concert - it was great! Oh, and I am looking forward to seeing Dolly Parton this summer. :)
8) What does KUBB do to stand out among the other Country stations in your market? Are you guys pretty interactive with your listeners online, through the station's website or on MySpace?
We try to be pretty interactive, and are currently trying to get our station streaming on line. I think we are the only station not streaming right now - ha! We do have a MySpace, and our personal MySpace pages are posted on our website so we can chat with our listeners.
9) What are some of your favorite Country songs that you thought would do well that never made it as a hit?
Unfortunately there are a lot - too many to list here!
10) You have certainly, like a lot of us, seen a lot of changes in our world and it keeps changing every day. Consolidation brought about a new way of doing business, plus there's many more things to compete with- like cell phones, Blackberrys, satellite radio, iPods, etc. What would you tell someone who wanted to get into the industry?
I would tell them to make sure it's really what they want because it's a hard industry to get into and the pay is bad - it's definitely not a glamorous job. Are you sure you really want to get into radio?
Bonus Questions
1) What are you currently listening to on your CD player or iPod?
I only listen to my iPod when I work out, and it's all upbeat and fast music to get me in the mood to work out.
2) Since you live in California, I've gotta ask- do you participate in water sports- are you a surfer girl or boogie boarder?
I SO used to be - any water sport out there, I was doing it. Now I am lucky to get away for a bit just to be near the water.
3) What is your favorite meal? When you were outside the U.S. did you acquire a taste for some adventurous foods?
I love Thai, Italian and Mexican. I also have a weakness for pizza and chocolate chip cookies.
4) Being in radio for so long, I'm sure you've met a ton of stars. Is there someone famous that you still haven't met and are dying to meet?
Ahh, the list is long - but a couple of people that I would love to meet are Gwen Stefani and Dolly Parton (that is going to happen soon!).
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