10 Questions with ... Joe Kelley

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started radio at the age of 15 after a PD randomly called my high school journalism class seeking free interns. Instead of opportunity knocking, mine called on the phone. As I was closest to the phone and the one who answered, I immediately volunteered. Within days, I was on the air at KIOC-Beaumont, TX.

In 1996, after 14 years in CHR, I took advantage of the Telecommunications Deregulation Act and walked down the hallway to the newly added Talk station and asked if I could do a weekend show. Within weeks, I managed to convince management that I could better serve the company by hosting a Talk radio program.

In 2005, I left WBAP in Dallas to host a morning news program here in Tulsa.

1. You moved around a little in radio before coming to Tulsa five years ago. How would you describe your life in Tulsa at KRMG since your arrival? What are the best things about what you do and where you do it?

I’m certain that I never paused during my career and said, “I’ve just got to work hard enough to make it to Tulsa!” Yet, I’ve found that Tulsa has been the most gratifying stop in my career. There was once a time in which you had to work in major markets to work with major talent and have major equipment/tools. Now, thanks to great ownership groups like Cox Media Group, you can have it all in a smaller market. This morning show team is so solid, I’d take this show and put it up against any major-market show any day!

Neither my wife nor I had ever been to Tulsa. Yet, once we visited, we fell in love. It’s a great and charming community of wonderfully generous and hospitable people. Except we have tornadoes.

2. You're the host of KRMG's long-established morning news block. How would you describe your role on the show: Are you more a newsman, an entertainer, a political talker, a little of everything? What's your job, as you see it?

My number one job is to know my audience and fulfill their expectations. I’m the host of a news-wheel format with a full team including news anchor, two reporters, editor, traffic reporter, sports reporter and meteorologist. While mine is the marquee name on the show, it is absolutely a news and information driving program. The NEWS is the star. Our daytime talk hosts (Boortz, Rush, Hannity, Savage) are heavily conservative. While we strive to deliver unbiased news, it’s my task to add a flare of conservatism during the morning news, facilitate calls and polls, drive TSL with effective teasing and drive traffic to our web product. I’m also the chief public face/voice of KRMG in Tulsa. I’m routinely found hosting charitable events, chairing charitable organizations, etc.

3. You've always taken well to technology, and in the last few years, you've done a lot of Twittering, you've done videos, you're on Facebook, and you use Foursquare. What's your favorite tech/new media thing right now, and how do you use it in conjunction with your show?

When I first stepped behind a microphone in 1982, I wanted to be a ‘radio star.’ Now, though, it’s important to accept that we’re no longer ‘radio stars,’ but ‘media stars.’ My radio show is just a small part of the media campaign from KRMG. With our web product, Facebook and Twitter pages, along with our text messaging and our streaming product, we’re truly multi-media broadcasters now. Yet, there are many in our industry to reject social media because of the difficulty monetizing it.

But my general philosophy is that people do business with people they know, like and trust. And social media provides that opportunity to build trust, create familiarity and create a likable persona, both as a station and as individuals.

My favorite product is my iPhone. The iPhone (and many new smart phones) enables me to do virtually everything I need for a radio show. I can update our website, our Facebook page, tweet, record interviews, take pictures/video and live stream video all from my phone. I find it to be the most important tool in our toolbox.

4. What would you say the mood of your listeners is right now, a year and a half since the economic collapse? Are people angry, resigned, optimistic? Is the Tea Party sentiment taking hold among KRMG's constituency?

Oklahoma is the reddest of red states. All 77 counties of Oklahoma voted for John McCain (or more accurately, against Barack Obama). The TEA Party movement is very strong here in Tulsa and KRMG has been involved in every event. A Japanese journalist flew to Tulsa just last week to talk to me about the TEA Party movement here. We only have one Democrat in our Congressional delegation and he’s a Blue Dog conservative. Yet, the economy hasn’t tanked here as it has on the coasts. Consequently, while our TEA Parties have thrived, I don’t think the anger here as been as whipped-up as it has elsewhere since many more people are employed here than elsewhere.

5. You're a cancer survivor; what perspective has battling the disease (twice) given you that wasn't there before? How does cancer change your outlook on life?

When asked about cancer, I always mention my belief that it was the best thing to ever happen to me. Diagnosed at 15; diagnosed again at 17; final treatments when I was 19, cancer has given me a perspective on my life that I likely would not have without the experience. I have a greater appreciation in my day-to-day experiences than I otherwise would have without the cancer episode. I’m also the Chairman of the Board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma which provides Wishes to other childhood cancer patients.

6. What would surprise people most about you?

I’m a remarkably skillful cook, a relatively productive handyman and, if you fly in or out of Tulsa, you’ll find my mine is the official voice of Tulsa International Airport. “Welcome to Tulsa International Airport…”

7. At this stage in your career and life, of what are you most proud?

As far as my career is concerned, I’m most proud that I’m still employed. With the massive layoffs that took place in the late 1990’s and the downsizing from last year, I’m proud and pleased that I still offer a service that employers find valuable.

But in the totality of life, I’m most proud of my kids and family. My wife and I have three young children at home – a 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old twin boys – and there’s not a single day in which they don’t make me laugh, proud, frustrated, excited. And my wife launched her own portrait photography business last year and it’s thriving now in Tulsa.

8. What, and who, makes you laugh?

Aside from my own children, the biggest daily laughs I get come from Twitter. I set up a Twitter list of nothing but people who make me laugh. In this crazy-busy world, I have little time for sitcoms or stand-up comedy, but zingers and one-liners at 140 characters each give me that quick laugh that we all need during the day. And from time to time, I find a good, topical zinger that I can drop into my show.

9. What was the best interview you've ever done? The worst?

Easily the most memorable interview I conducted was with actor Will Smith. While I was talking to him live on the air, the studio cleaning crew walked in, literally bumping Smith as they walked by, emptied the garbage and began snapping the new garbage bag before placing it back in the can. Smith, a real pro, never skipped a beat in his conversation with me. Though, we both laughed about it when we got to break.

And while it not the worst interview, my current most laughable routine interview is with Oklahoma’s US Senator Jim Inhofe. Inhofe, was is 74-years-old and has been in Tulsa and Oklahoma politics for decades, nearly always finds a way to sneak into his interviews with me “Joe, I know this was before your time here in Tulsa…” I think it’s his way if being territorial and showing his dominance. It’s become a running joke at our radio station.

10. What's the most valuable lesson you've learned in your radio career?

Trust your team. Period. Oh, and don’t cuss on the air. Period.