10 Questions with ... Karson & Kennedy

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Karson: WSWN AM Belle Glade FL, WQSM FM Fayetteville NC, WZYP FM Huntsville AL, WZND FM Dothan AL, WHTF FM Tallahassee FL, WHBQ FM Memphis TN.

Kennedy WQSM Fayetteville, KLPX Tucson, WHTF Tallahassee, WHBQ Memphis, WWBX Boston 

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

Karson: Smelly. Sugar (AM) 900 & 93.5 were full service local stations so I had to learn a little of everything. I board op’ed for Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins football games, ran religious program and yes, co-hosted a “Tradio” program. Wow, was I terrible but I could sell the crap of someone’s used tractor tires. The station was in the middle of sugar canes fields and that stuff smells terrible when being burned/harvested.

Kennedy: Something I literally (and I’m using that word in its most literal sense) never thought I would do.  I feel the next question will answer this one.  It’s a great story.  But I need a minute to explain

2. What led you to a career in radio?

Karson: I think when your own mother kidnaps you as a child, you’re bound to have plenty of stories and opinions. I moved around a lot, attending 13 different schools from 1st to 12th grade but the one constant of wherever we called home were the songs and personalities on the radio. They became my family. I was probably the youngest kid calling Bruce Williams syndicated show late at night and for years I kept a spiral notebook of Casey Kasem’s Weekly Top 40 show. I was late to radio as I served as a Paratrooper in the U.S. Army Signal Corp shortly after high school. After six years of traversing the world, I settled back home in South Florida. I actually “borrowed” an old Radio & Records newspaper from a buddy of mine who was also in the military and was working for Armed Forces Radio in Germany. I called WIRK (West Palm Beach) from Germany and asked the PD for a job, he chuckled and pointed me towards Connecticut School of Broadcasting. I used my G.I. Bill to pay for CSB in West Palm Beach and they helped me land my first internship and part time job.

Kennedy: I met Karson many years ago in Fayetteville, NC.  I was married to a military guy, working a 9-5 and doing theater at a regional theater in town every chance I got.  Karson was working at Q98 at the time, but had decided he wanted to branch out into theater - but he couldn’t act, sing, or dance, so they asked him to help with sound.  So I’m on stage singing “Midnight Train To Georgia” and he decided that I needed to be in radio.  He asked me “have you ever thought of doing radio” and I responded “no.”  True story.  He didn’tt let up.  He brought me into the station at 2am to get me on tape and gave it to his boss.  Long story longer, they hired me to board op for Bob and Sheri which then led to a midday gig.  And here we are.

3. You folks have been at Mix for over 13 years now and working together for 19. What is one thing that you can be sure about happening every morning?

Karson: Kennedy and I have actually been friends almost 25 years and we are ALWAYS going to have differing opinions on almost EVERYTHING…that being said, I know we agree that we have a common goal to laugh at ourselves a lot and provide great content.

Kennedy: We are kind of a well-oiled machine at this point.  But the one thing that I can rely on is him walking in the door at around 4:50 saying “yoooooooooo” as he enters. That signifies it’s time to go.

4. How did navigating the pandemic make you and better broadcaster? Entertainer?

Karson: As so many businesses were pausing advertising, we had to come up with creative ways to provide sponsorship opportunities for sales which led us to create a new interview series called “Karson & Kennedy Talk with Famous People.” Artists quickly moved all interviews to video so, it allowed us to keep the clients happy and add new content when everything was all about the pandemic.

Kennedy: I think we did what everyone did - we did what we had to do.  From our living rooms.  Staring at each other on Skype.  When you aren’t in the same room you have to really listen to each other, anticipate what will happen next, and be able to smile when you wanted to cry because you were stuck in your house and didn’t really know what was happening.  We had some really great shows during those months.  

5. Your show gets amazing guests. Who has been your favorite interviewee? Least favorite (and why)?

Karson: I have to give all credit to Steve Salhany and Mike Mullaney. They have spent decades building relationships with artists and labels which has been to our benefit. My first concert was in 1987 at the Orange Bowl in Miami for U2’s Joshua Tree tour, so sitting down for almost an hour with Bono and The Edge was an all-timer. My least favorite was John Mayer a few summers ago, and its failure was all my fault. I asked a question that was just way off topic but thankfully John was very professional and continued on with the interview. John expressed his feelings afterwards and to this day, it’s one of my most embarrassing moments. Hopefully one day I will have a chance to apologize to him personally. Also, Louis C.K. was a total Delta Bravo!

Kennedy: Bono.  I mean it’s Bono!  He played at our Mix Beach House but the interview got pushed.  I was doing a play in Boston and had a hard out that was going to happen before the interview was over.  We explained what was happening and he stopped everything to ask about the play.  He was interviewing me.  Then when I had to leave he hugged me and said into my ear “Break a leg. I’ve always wanted to tread the boards”.  I could have died.   I’d rather not comment on my least favorite.  Everyone has bad days.  

6. You guys are committed to the community in numerous ways. What would be a couple of highlights for you in that regard?

Karson: Karson & Kennedy’s Cool Kids is one of my favorites where we find kids who are an inspiration in their community and give them and their entire family access to the ultimate VIP experiences like suites at sporting events and backstage passes for concerts.

Kennedy: I think the concept of community changed over the past two years.  We couldn’t go out, so the community became the people listening.  We had to change the way we support one another.  The topic of mental health became front and center for me. I live with a cornucopia of mental health issues including bipolar disorder and in May of 2020, I spent 10 days in McLean Hospital to help me through a very dark time.  I have been very open and honest about my struggles and through this dialogue been able to bring a little light to people who need it. I’m so fortunate to work for and with people who support me in this journey and allow me to speak my truth.  Audacy’s “I’m Listening” program is a wonderful example of this.  Spreading the word to our community is why I was put on this planet.  

7. What is the ‘Song of Summer 2022?’

Karson: One song is tough for me but Harry Styles “Harry’s House” has been on loop for our entire family this summer!

Kennedy: LIZZO!!!

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Karson: I’ve been hearing “radio is dead” since I started, yet here we are almost 20 years later with some of the best ratings we’ve ever seen. If you are fearless and willing to be open and honest about your life, laugh at yourself and work hard…there is a place for you and your show.

Kennedy: Rich Aubuchon who was my PD in Fayetteville said something that has always stuck with me.  Cumulus had just bought the station and we were all freaking out.  He said “be a blade of grass in the breeze.”  Keep your feet firmly planted, but bend when you need to.

9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?

Karson: Miami radio in the 80’s was wild, with stations like Power 96, Y100, SHE & ZETA. As I started my career, I was blown away by the creativity of Howard Stern, Kidd Kraddick & Bob & Madison from G105 in Raleigh. Ace & TJ and Mojo from Channel in Detroit were also a big influence.

Kennedy: I grew up in suburban Chicago so I was a WLS fan (gimme those Animal Stories) and Jonathan Brandmeier on The Loop.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

Karson: Steve Reynolds from The Reynolds Group is the foundation of any modicum of success I will ever achieve in this weird little world. Steve heard something in our show that I didn’t know existed and he was there to pump the brakes when I was about to run myself into a brick wall.

Kennedy: Sherry Lynch really shaped me.  She is an equal partner in her show, a strong, incredibly intelligent, opinionated woman who makes no excuses for who she is. I admire her so much. I’ve only met her twice, but I sat as a board op listening for a couple of years and it was the best school I could have attended.

What is something amazing that Kennedy has done that may have flown under the radar, that you’re happy to spill the beans about now?

Karson: I’m pretty sure Kennedy has fostered more dogs waiting to move into their forever home than any person in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

What is something amazing that Karson has done that may have flown under the radar, that you’re happy to spill the beans about now?  

Kennedy: My most profound admiration for Karson has been watching him go from single radio guy to husband and father.  He’s an incredible broadcaster, but his number one priority is his family and he includes me in his family which is a true honor. Also, he came up with the best game name ever to hit the airwaves - Nicklebackwards. I mean, come on. That’s genius.