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10 Questions with ... Steve Kindred
August 26, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I've been a witness and narrator to three decades of history in Southern California and Nevada, with extensive contacts in local and national media, and the local political community.. I've taken readers and listeners to the LA Riots, high-profile trials including Rodney King and OJ Simpson, and other breaking news that included the Malibu wildfires,the North Hollywood bank shootout, and every national political convention since 1992 I've also worked at KFI and KABC. During my 21 years at KFWB, I received 21 Golden Mike awards from the Radio-TV News Association, as well as being named Reporter of the Year by AP and the Society of Professional Journalists.
1. What got you into radio? Why radio, and when did you decide it was what you wanted to do as a career?
My interest in radio started when I was eight, and turned the garden hose into a microphone, interviewing other kids in the neighborhood. It matured when I started watching Art Linkletter's House party and the old Candid Camera show. Only problem was, I had a slight speech impediment. Fortunately, a gifted high school speech teacher fixed it, and recruited me for the debate team. After winning a few tournaments, I realized I could do this radio thing. My first full-time radio job was in Lompoc,California. I stumbled into doing news, after quickly discovering I wasn't a good DJ. So I started a five minute, top-of-the-hour newscast, and never looked back.
2. You've been an award-winning reporter/anchor for many years in L.A. now, and you've seen the business change a lot. What have been the biggest changes you've seen in the radio news business over the years?
Too much of our business is being turned from a profession into a hobby. Announcers who once earned a king's ransom now work part-time, often from home, and for far less money than they made just a few short years ago. Consolidation, a weak union, and new technology are contributing factors. On the news side, there are few training grounds for up-and-coming broadcasters.
3. You've covered an amazing series of major news stories; It might be hard to pick one, but of all the fairly momentous news stories you've reported, what is the single most memorable? What's the one moment that sticks with you?
The glove try-on at the OJ Simpson murder trial. The tiny radio room at Camp OJ accommodated eight reporters in a 15/25 foot space. You could have heard a pin drop when Judge Ito allowed OJ to try that glove on. We all spoke silently but with one voice: I can't believe he's letting this happen! We all knew this would be a show to benefit Mr. Simpson's acting skills.Of course, we played it straight down the middle in our reports. Perhaps not on TV, but the radio coverage was objective to a fault.
4. In a similar vein, you've interviewed and covered some of the most famous (and infamous) people on Earth- who was the most memorable, for good or bad? Who stands out as the most compelling figure you've had the chance to cover?
Bill Clinton. It was in 1992, when he was first running for president.He's lightning in a bottle. Incredible charisma, brilliant mind. I could see right away why so many women were attracted to him.
5. Who are your mentors, influences, and heroes?
Influences: Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, David Brinkley. And Douglas Edwards. I practiced sounding like him while listening to "The World News Roundup" every day on KNX.
Mentors: Steve Herman (Now with Voice of America Japan); Ed Pyle (Retired as News Director of KNX); Jack Popejoy (RIP) who taught me how to broadcast and think at the same time, as well as everything I know about earthquakes: Ken Beck (Ex KFWB News and Program Director, just retired from Entercom Seattle) promoted me to ful-time at KFWB and sent me to the Middle East.
Heroes: The reporters, news directors, and assignment editors who still fight the good fight for access to government meetings and courtrooms.
6. With your perspective on the business, what would you tell station owners and network operators as to what radio news needs to do to compete in a new media world? What should radio be doing to maintain and grow its position as an essential part of the news media, especially on the local level?
Content is king. The only thing that changes from one platform to another is style.Stay with your strengths. You don't have to play with your broadcast format to appeal to web users. A compelling story is a compelling story whether your write it on a cave wall, on your toaster, or on the thing we call a radio. Make your platforms work in harmony, give them all the best content.
7. You went to China to teach broadcasters there how Americans do radio. What did you take away from that experience? What did the experience mean to you?
It was a wake-up call. Only when you travel abroad do you realize how special the U.S. is. When Chinese broadcasters ask what is the best way to start up a radio station today, I told them it's the web. They shook their heads, seemingly afraid to say it out loud: "We can't do that here." More and more broadcasts in America are going to, or starting up, on the internet. But in China, the web is heavily controlled by the government. And the broadcast stations are still owned by the government, with a military presence at every facility.. They are slowly loosening the reigns, but I think it'll be many years until they get free market-stye TV and Radio.
8. Of what are you most proud?
Coverage of the OJ Simpson trial. The most grueling, mind-numbing, frustrating, yet rewarding assignment I've ever had. Over three thousand separate live shots over the course of nine months.I got to work with some of the best broadcasters in the country, a number of whom went on to high-profile network positions.The circus was on every floor of that courthouse,we me covering all of it from the tiny radio space on the 12th floor.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without:
....Starbucks and a good story.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
Best: If you learn how to speak well, the world is your oyster- Day Hanks (RIP) speech teacher at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles.
Worst: Work with your hands.Get 'em dirty - My dad.
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