Page 53 - Radio_Ink

TRAVIS DODGE
KSJQ-FM/St. Joseph,
MO
Eagle Communications
travis.dodge@
eagleradio.net
Years in Radio: 20

Eagle Communications GM Gary Exline asks
rhetorically, “Who has 4,500 quarter hours in
an unrated market? No PD I’ve ever worked
with — and there have been some good ones
Garth Brooks; Jeff Scott’s wife, Kathy, and daughter Cambrie, Scott, Gary Shores (l) and his on-air partner of 23 years, Harvey
— understands his or her market like Travis
and Trisha Yearwood. J. Steele. Steele died December 28, 2017 of complications
understands St. Joseph, Missouri; Northwest
from diabetes. Photo courtesy of the Toledo Blade.
Missouri; and Northeast Kansas. Under the
shadow of Kansas City’s three Country sta-
JEFF SCOTT tions (50 miles away), Travis has established GARY SHORES
Alpha Media area.” WKKO-FM/Toledo, OH
Q Country 92.7 as the Country station in our
KLLL-FM/Lubbock, TX
Cumulus Media Group
Dodge says what makes his station so
jscott@klll.com.
Years in Radio: 37 successful has a lot to do with his seasoned gary.shores@cumulus.
staff and their knowledge of the area. “I com
According to Alpha Media SVP Jay Richardson, truly am blessed to have their willingness to Years in Radio: 47
since 2004 Jeff Scott has guided KLLL to try any crazy idea I may be cooking up,” he
success with impeccable skill. “Under Jeff’s says. “Plus I feel blessed to work for a general Gary Shores has consistently kept WKKO/Toledo
leadership, KLLL has continued to be the mar- manager (Gary Exline), corporate operations at number one in the market. Through 2017 he
ket and region leader, a mark it has held since manager (Kevin Wagner), and company presi- hasn’t missed a beat, juggling the morning show
1980,” says Richardson. “Over the last year dent/CEO (Gary Shorman) who were willing to and programming the station despite health
Jeff has taken on the challenges of building a give me a chance and offer up valuable guid- issues with his family and his morning show
new morning team, refocusing the music and ance and support. That has really contributed partner. He is a true leader, and still very pas-
imaging in KLLL to better deliver on the Texas to and molded me into the programmer and sionate after 30-plus years.
feel that the format has overall left behind — broadcaster that I am.” So why is Shores consistently ranked among
specifically, utilizing George Strait in creative He goes on, “My success has been because the Best PDs? “I think loving the business, the
ways and breaking a new artist like Aaron of a good work ethic and reliability. I always format, and our great listeners makes it real
Watson from being a regional star to finding tell high school-aged students at career fairs easy to do my job — which is more than just a
national success. His ability to weave Top 40 that most of any job is showing up. You can’t job, it’s who I am 24/7,” he says. “It’s not a job,
country with significant stars from the last show how good you are if you are never there. it’s my life. If I were on the other side of the
20 years has really made KLLL a very special I learned from my parents on our family farm radio, would I like what we are doing, and would
station to listen to, built on the loyalties of our in Fairview, Kansas about hard work, like I listen often and for longer and longer periods
P1 base.” walking thistles and beans, throwing hay, and of time? The answer had better be yes.”
Scott says, “I believe I’m consistently one of feeding calves. I saw my dad milk our cows Shores goes on, “I’ve been in Country radio
radio’s top Country PDs because I’m blessed twice a day, every day of the year. The work for 47 years. That’s a long time and a lot of
to be the caretaker of a legendary Country had to get done, and he did it. My parents learning. Of course, the learning never stops.
station, I’m surrounded by amazing people were great role models, and I continue to use Plus a great airstaff to execute the basics — it’s
who love radio, and I work for a company that examples that they set for me.” amazing to me how many people in radio don’t
allows me the freedom to create a radio sta- do the basics: have fun on the air (and even
tion specifically for Lubbock, Texas.” sound like they’re having fun when they’re hav-
The key to becoming a successful Country ing a crappy day) and of course be able to think
programmer in 2018, according to Scott, is to on their feet. It makes K-100 just cook all day
be fully open-minded to a rapidly changing long. The staff is a huge part of our success.
business. “Former owner Jeff Wilks taught me “The other part of this was my on-air partner
that there’s more than one way to do every- and assistant program director, Harvey J. Steele,
thing,” he says. “Just because it’s always been who passed away just a few weeks ago. He and
done a certain way doesn’t mean that’s the I were very much alike when starting out. We
only way. With the continual growth of digital both went to bed with transistor radios under
in the radio business, you have to let go of the our pillows, Harvey in Illinois listening to WLS
past and embrace today. With websites and and Super CFL while I grew up outside of Detroit
social media and endless information tools at listening to CKLW, WKNR (Keener 13), and WXYZ.
your fingertips, it is an exciting time to be in We had the same passion for radio. When we
radio. Programmers today are at the forefront teamed up 23 years ago, it was a hit, not just
of creating an all new radio model.” for us — first in p.m. drive, then to a.m. drive
Travis Dodge and Thomas Rhett
17 years ago — but for the radio station too!
Couldn’t have done it without Harvey.”

J a n u a r y 2 9, 2 018 R A DIOI N K • C OM CRS21