10 Questions with ... Shaun Kelly

NAME:Shaun Kelly TITLE:Morning Personality/APD STATION: X Country 106.5 WXNU MARKET:Kankakee, IL COMPANY:Staradio BORN:Hammond, IN RAISED:Sauk Village, IL/Cedar Lake, IN

Please outline your radio career so far:

Associate Producer, WLS, On-Air, WLJE-FM/Valparaiso, IN, Afternoon Personality, WYTZ-FM/Benton Harbor, MI, On-Air, WBCT-FM/Grand Rapids, MI, Morning Personality/APD, WXNU-FM/Kankakee, IL.

1. What got you interested in radio, and what was your first job?

I knew from age 5, when I started spinning 45's in my Momma's room. My first paying gig was producing for Don and Roma at The Big 89 - WLS/CHICAGO.

2. There are so many choices today. Radio competes with the Internet, TV, cell phones, video games. How important is radio to the average person today?

Radio is still very important to the country listener. They want concert tickets and CD's, they want to be told what their favorite artist is up to, and they want local news and weather. We need to be compelling!!! As long as we continue to deliver a stellar product, they won't go over to the other side.

3. What is the most unique characteristic of your market and your station?

We're located 55 miles south of Chicago. Two of our counties are part of the Chicago TSA. There are lots of choices for the listener. It boils down to playing better music, delivering compelling content between the music, being active in the community, and touching the listener's life in a different way.

4. Who's your favorite air-personality not on your staff?

I have a two. Wild Bill Lewis, WYTZ and Drew Walker, US 99.5.

5. If you could change one thing about the current state of radio, what would you change?

Be live and local at least 19 hours a day. Voicetracking has really hurt our business.

6. What was the first concert you ever attended?

Vanilla Ice at The Riviera in Chicago.

7. What are you doing better in 2006 than you did last year?

Getting better at ad-libbing, delivering a better over-all show, and getting more listeners to call in when I throw out topics.

8. What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?

Lack of communication. I go outside for a few minutes and get some fresh air.

9. In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?

I show-prep at home before my show. I have too much going on to read while I'm the on-air. We're a CMT affiliate, so I read the CMT show prep. I also use ALL ACCESS and AP.

10. How often do you air-check your own shows? Is it mandatory that you run tape everyday? Also, can you honestly critique yourself?

Not often enough, probably one day a week. It's not mandatory that I run tape. It's not realistic to air check yourself, because someone else will always be able to make a suggestion that you probably didn't even think of.

1. You're stuck on a deserted island and you get to pick one artist to be stuck with you. Who would it be and don't limit it to our format?

Tough choice. Sara Evans or Miranda Lambert. HMMMMM!

2. You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?

Let's go to Vegas!!!! Everything is on me buddy!!!!

3. What's your favorite fast food?

Subway and Taco Bell

4. What "reality show" could you see yourself appearing on and why?

The Real World, because I love meeting new people.

5. What's your favorite thing to do in your spare time?

Go to concerts.