-
10 Questions with ... Shawn Knight
May 11, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WKKC (Chicago) Student Program Director
WGCI FM & AM (Chicago) Promotions Assistant / Wknd Personality,
WPWX Power 92 (Chicago) Overnight / Middays
WSRB Soul 106.3 (Chicago) Mornings / Wknd Personality / Programming Assistant
106.7 WTLC & AM 1310 The Light (Indianapolis) Afternoons / Wknd Personality
WKZJ K92.7 (Columbus, GA) Middays / Nights / Programming Assistant
KISX 107-3 KISS FM (Tyler, TX) Assistant Brand Manager / Afternoon Drive
1. When, why, and how did you decide to go into radio?
In the fall of ‘94 I was registering for classes in Chicago at Kennedy-King College for Computer Science when a guy by the name of Virgil Hemphill said “You have a nice speaking voice...” He then convinced me to take some broadcasting classes and he immediately got me involved with the college radio station doing news segments (News Center 89) and once family and friends heard me on the radio and mentioned how good I sound I changed my major and the rest is history.
2. Are you a severe critic of yourself?
YES! I am such a perfectionist when it comes to radio that at times, I am too hard on myself. I have since learned to give myself more grace.
3. If you wanted to change careers, what would you like to do?
Believe it or not before radio I was a bank teller and if that didn’t work out, I would have been a computer programmer.
4. What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you during your radio career?
This is rather embarrassing; Earlier in my career I was going on a promotional appearance with the station vehicle and while making a turn I cut the wheel too early and ended up damaging the running board in front of the station building. The jokes were endless.
5. Would you share the names of some air personalities you grew up listening to?
Tom Joyner, Doug Banks, Shannon Dell, Eddie and Jobo, Larry Lujack, Bob Wall, Herb Kent, Ramonski Luv, Disco Dave, Pink House, Rick Party, Jacquie Haselrig
6. What are you most proud of?
By far watching my twin boys graduate High School in 2014. That was a major accomplishment as a single father.
7. Who have been some of your influencers and mentors?
Kevin Brown, James Kelly, Virgil Hemphill, Darryl Dennard, Maurice King, Reggie Miles (He did my 1st audition tape that got me hired at WGCI), Marv Dyson, Elroy Smith, Jay Alan, Derrick Brown, Harry Lyles, Earl Boston, Sam Weaver, Carl Conner, Brian Wallace, Khris Hutchinson, “Hurricane” Dave Smith.
8. What’s your forecast for radio in the future?
The forecast for radio is great as it is constantly evolving with so many listening options for today’s listeners. Many radio stations are successful because not only did they recognize the changes but made adjustments while keeping the same programming fundamentals and in return they gained more listeners.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______?
Prayer
10. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
In my sophomore year of high school my football coach told us, “If you be good to football, football will be good to you.” I have since substituted the word “football” and added “radio” or anything else I am passionate about and give it 100%. Therefore, if I am successful or not, I can still walk away with my head held up knowing I did my absolute best.
-
-