My father, through friends, has been able to get me some really cool opportunities over the years.  The coolest ones at the top of my mind are the 2006 Opening Day in the NEW Busch Stadium!  Back in the ’80s and early ’90s (in Indy’s hayday), my dad used to take me the Indianapolis Motorspeedway for Indy 500 Timetrials.  Over the years I was able to meet drivers like Arie Luyendyk, Danny Sullivan, and yes…AJ Foyt.  I have an autographed hat at the house from Foyt.  I spent a bunch of great times with my dad at things like this.

When I was in high school my principal, Roger Kratochvil, was also a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals.  He was actually able to arrange the opportunity for me to watch Spring Scouting Tryouts at Busch Stadium one year.  At the time Ozzie Smith was playing for the Cardinals.  It’s weird the things you remember.  I remember getting the chance to see the Cardinals Clubhouse during that trip.  At that time, the things that stick in my head are memories like “lots of beer, soda, and gum” being on-hand for the players after games…not too mention a ton of Advil and Bengay in Ozzie’s locker to get him through the end of his career!

Luckily these kinds of cool things have also come my way through radio.  I’ve had the opportunity to do some things that I probably wouldn’t be able to do if I were in other professions.  Some of the coolest things I’ve had the opportunity to do, which I’m so grateful for, is hang out with several artists like the Rolling Stones…

Some of the more wild stuff was playing “foose” ball with Jack Johnson backstage at the Tracadero in Philly about 10 years ago or hanging out with Sting backstage at the Borgata in Atlantic City while my morning show interviewed him (while he was getting a massage in a candle lit room…somewhat weird).  I also will never forget watching after a highly entoxicated “Bob the Bachelor (Bob Guiney)” at the Trump Taj Mahal after he played blackjack with a group of listeners and sang songs from a record he was promoting (yes, Bob the Bachelor had a song on the radio around 2003).

I’ve also done some cool “random event” things like interview Dan Ackroyd about his Motorcycle ride to open the Borgata Casino (along with about 200 other Harley riders) in Atlantic City.  I also interviewed Linda Thompson and manuvered a way to ask her about Elvis.  Wild. 

Another fun one that I was just thinking about is when my radio station paid “Sam” from the Apprentice a $400 talent fee to host a local remote for a “winning registered business” in the New Jersey area that listened to one of my old radio stations.  Amazingly, Sam Solovey did the remote and met listeners for two hours with a smile at the height of Apprentice ratings…

There’s quite a few more stories and places where those came from….but I’m REALLY excited about my latest adventure.  Next Tuesday, I have the pleasure of attending the “Memphis to the Master’s” trip (which you can actually purchase through Memphis Perks on this site while they last – at a reduced rate).  We’re going to Augusta.  I’m sure we’ll be able to get at least a glimpse of a practicing Tiger Woods as he gets ready to return to golf, as luck would have it! 

But I’m most exciting about seeing something that I’ve seen on TV and read about as one of those “you can’t believe how beautiful this is” spots.  I’m very excited…  Amen.  That’s, Amen Corner…Can’t wait!

There is an article in the Tuesday Commercial Appeal (Memphis newspaper) about hats.

Hats.

It seems to me either you are a hat person or not. Sure, I’ve thrown on a baseball cap as needed on a rainy or bad hair day. But I have never worn a hat for fashion. The hats in today’s paper make me want to rethink that.

Sure, back in the day Princess Di could wear a hat like no other. These hats (like the one pictured above) evoke that same classiness. I own cute hats…..a black one for winter….a floppy one for beachwear….a rhinestone studded ball cap so I can look like a stylish stay at home mom…..even thought I’m not. :) But I never seem to find the appreciate time to wear said hats.

Am I too chicken? Am I over thinking? Am I just not that kind of attention attracting person? While I don’t claim to be the most fashion forward person around, I should wear a hat if I feel so inclined. I should mention that it would be hard for me wear a brimmed hat to work…….wearing headphones everyday makes that a little more difficult.

Forbes?!? I know you have more money than Oprah (well, NOBODY has THAT much…:-)…but you really got to get out more!

I’ve been kicked out – er, lived in more cities than most folks ever drive through. From San Diego, Los Angeles, Boston, Baltimore…Matter of fact, the very week I moved to Baltimore, Life Magazine’s cover was; “Look What Happened to Baltimore”. Big story about their urban renewal…should’ve read; “Look What Happened to About 3 Blocks of Baltimore”…:-)

Point is, like the Johnny Cash song, I’ve been EVERYWHERE! And Memphis RULES! From the moment I drove in and saw an exit marked “Elvis Presley Blvd’ to the charm, the BBQ, the hospitality, the BBQ, Beale Street, the zoo, and did I mention THE BBQ?!?

Instead of old newspapers, this year at Memphis in May, let’s wrap up all throwaway bones in copies of FORBES MAGAZINE!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame….the big induction for this years latest inductees was Monday night. I could blog for hours pondering the question of just why the Hall of Fame is in Cleveland and not Memphis…but don’t get me started!!

Instead, I looked at this year’s list and selected my favorite. For me, it is The Stooges. No, not the 3 Stooges….Iggy and the Stooges. Yes, the band predates me but when I was in college a fellow by the name of Blake (we “bartended” together) made a mix tape (yeah, a mix TAPE) of classics, then currents and lots of alternative music. It was on that tape I had my first experience with the Stooges and the song I Wanna Be Your Dog. That song rocked!!! And it still does. Later I head other Stooges songs like 1969 and No Fun. Again, both rocked!

I have always loved music. As a kid here in Memphis, my parents took me to see Elvis as my first concert. Later, I wanted to be a Pat Benatar….the Police and Blondie were staples of my music collection. I always watched as much MTV as I could. Seeing Missing Persons at Auditorium South (or North?) Hall was a musical highlight for me. When I went to college at the University of Alabama I found Alternative music and that led me to a career radio. In fact, I started out an Advertising major. I didn’t really gel with my advisor…but I did like the music the college radio station played so I switched my major to broadcasting. When I heard bands like Lone Justice, The Replacements, Husker Du, the HooDoo Gurus and so many others….I knew I found my music. Then I began to learn about the bands that inspired them. One has to imagine that all that that punk/new wave music I liked in the 80’s was probably, in some way, influenced by Iggy. And it is interesting that while the Stooges made their first mark on music in the 60’s, over 20 years later I would be playing some solo Iggy Pop music at the college station. Today we even still hear much of that music in movies and commercials.

So congratulations to all the deserving Inductees…I read Iggy never thought he and the Stooges would get voted in……proving once again to never say never.

Skip Reynolds is our featured personality today “Behind the Scenes” at Classic Hits 94.1 KQK.  Skip joined a department of ONE in our engineering department in 2006 after Entercom, the company that owns KQK, purchased 3 other radio stations in Memphis.  That brought the total number of stations in our radio group to 5, with 6 frequencies (KQK’s sister station, ESPN Radio, broadcasts on 92.9 FM and 680 AM).

Something that may tell you a little bit about Skip is that he won the “most likely to have the best squirrel recipe” AWARD at our company Christmas party 2 years ago.  Needless to say, with a wonderful southern accent, Skip is from…..ALABAMA!!!  And he’ll let you know it to.  Skip’s wonderful attitude and humor comes in handy with all the many projects we throw at him here at the radio station. 

One of the crown jewels of Classic Hits 94.1 KQK is our world class facility we broadcast from, finished in 2009.  Skip was a major part of that achievement, working to build out all the studios and create a space that was ALL DIGITAL and energy/green friendly.

Beyond Skip’s engineering expertiese and sense of humor, we’re fortunate at Classic Hits 94.1 KQK that he is a “musicologist.”  Skip has almost EVERYTHING available at his fingertips or in-house (many times off the original vinyl).  He trades music with friends on-line and through connections because of his passion for music.  He has plenty of stories…and he’ll definitely share them with you.

Skip Reynolds, WKQK Engineer, 1-on-1:

Brad:  How long have you been with the station?

Skip:  Here in Memphis, I worked with WRVR & Froggy 94 from Thanksgiving 1994 to November 2000.  From there, I was at WMC AM & FM From 2000 till now, adding Classic Hits 94.1 KQK and WRVR (again) in 2006.

Brad:  What’s your favorite thing about working at the radio station?

Skip:  I like now having 6 frequencies (5 radio stations) to play with because of all the excitement they bring.  If it’s not a major project on a tower, it’s the detail work that makes it interesting.

Brad:  What’s your favorite thing about Memphis?

Skip:  The folks, on a whole.  I like the people here a whole lot.  I also like all the talk here about food.  My wife and I enjoy recreating dishes at home that we hear about.  We use ”Rendevous” seasoning on our popcorn!  Right now we’re going through the Soup Sunday cook book.  Next up, it’s Leonards BBQ seasoning on catfish.

Brad:  Tell me about your family!

Skip:  I’ve been married to my wife Tina for 23 years!  We met and worked together at a radio station in Tuscaloosa, AL. 12 years prior to getting married.  I started in radio in 1967, and I think Tina started in 1970. 

(Good thing you both like radio, Skip!)

Angie won something a gift certificate to SOLE Restaurant downtown my answering a Mindbender question…   “40% of dog and cat owners do this“…

We had guesses of sleeping with them,  kissing on the mouth (which, I said, seems only natural after petting)  and the winner…… Carrying pictures of them.  The winner  ANGIE was so proud of her 140 lb lab that we put his picture up here for all to see.  Way to go girl …and enjoy SOLE!

And by the way,  I you all want to check out the best little restaurant downtown….GO TO SOLE!!!     It’s in the Westin Hotel….free valet for breakfast, lunch or dinner…  the dang freshest seafood anywhere in Memphis…  great chef.   People still don’t get the place…… I want to pack it out for these guys.  They work hard and folks are still clueless about the place,  inspite of the fact we have 40,000 that walk by it every month for FEDEX Forum events.   Go downtown and try it.  If it’s not good…tell me and I’ll buy your dinner!!  (well,  maybe

Angie's dog MILLER

Miller is a big U of M fan.  He’s been moping around ever since that loss to Houston.

Today I’m starting a new blog feature called Classic Hits 94.1 KQK “Behind the Scenes”.  That is truly what this feature will do.  Take you behind the scenes by featuring the unsung heros at the radio station who aren’t on-the-air.  Our first edition features the #1 unsung person at our radio station:  Becky Barber, front desk receptionist, and all around great person!

Becky is the first person that prize winners, clients, and everyone who works at the radio station sees (unless they go in the back door).  Her wonderful attitude and smile is always a welcoming feeling to everyone who visits the radio group here. 

Becky was the first person I met when I interviewed in Memphis 6 years ago.  It’s funny how every place I’ve worked there is always that one person who is the “glue” that connects people.  Almost like family.  In the case of Becky, I’ll never forget when my son Jake was born.  Becky took the time to knit a pair of blue baby booties.  We still have them on top of his dresser.  She’s always energetic, and is great at what she does. 

1-on-1

Brad:  How long have you worked at the radio station?

Becky:  11 years. 

Brad:  What’s your favorite thing about working @ the radio station?

Becky:  I really enjoy the people.

Brad:  What do you enjoy about Memphis?

Becky:  I grew up here.  I enjoy spending time with my family.  It’s home.  (I don’t like the humidity though.)  I really like the people.  “Southern people.” 

Brad:  Tell me about your family.

Becky:  I’ve been married to my husband, Don, for 40 years.  We have 2 children, and a baby grandson.

With the Neely’s, Claire Robinson and countless features on various Food Network programs, Memphis and the Mid-South have been represented well on the Food Network. Now, we salute the appearance of Gail Churinetz of Germantown this Sunday on the Ultimate Recipe Showdown. She will be on this Sunday night (3/14) with her Crawfish Andouille Sausage Pizza recipe. Gail, Guy and the other contestants are pictured above, Gail is on the far left. She is our special guest on the Conley and Karen Morning Show on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK.

Find out more about the show and see the fun Guy and Gail had together on the Food network website at  

  www.foodnetwork.com/videos/gail-gets-the-guy/48679.html 

Gail ready to cook on the Food Network…will she win?

Watch Sunday, 3/14/2010.

Have a great day and happy cooking with Conley and Karen!

This will be the 6th year I’ve hosted the Special Kids and Families Fun Run & Bunny Walk with Newschannel 3’s Jim Jaggers, and I’d love for YOU to join me!  Here’s the sign-up website & info place:  http://www.bunnyrun.racesonline.com/

Event:  2010 Fun Run & Bunny Walk

For:  Special Kids and Families (see my quick tour/facility interview here*) 

When:  Saturday, April 3, 2010 @ 9:00 a.m.

Where:  Audubon Park @ Oak Court Mall (parking lot next to Macy’s)

Hosts:  Jim Jaggers & Brad Carson

*The kids are in the background because I didn’t want to disturb their activities!