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“Gratitude will shift you to a higher frequency, and you will attract much better things.” – Rhonda Byrne
Gratitude. Something we should mindfully practice each day.
For perspective, we weren’t born in the Rhodesian Outback in Southern Africa, where waterholes are scarce, or in The Gansu Providence in China with their struggles to have the food basics.
Acknowledging the triteness of these words, there’s a roof over our heads, an automobile in the garage, and ready food access.
Oh – and you can afford the device in front of your face.
In America, no matter how grave a hurricane situation, the wildfire raging miles away, or political strife among us, we’re still sitting in – America.
In a short 48 hours, most reading this will gather in some form with family, food and football. All of which should shine with gratitude.
While charged with penning a MUSIC column in this space, let’s pause a week and hear from those in the music RADIO business from an array of talent.
Where is their 2024 personal and professional – gratitude?
Me thinks you’ll find them glowing with – gratitude
David Moore – Operations Manager – Hubbard Radio Phoenix
Personally, I wake up every morning and do an accounting of all the ways I am incredibly lucky. I have a great wife, we have a kid about to graduate from college, and we live in a place we love.
Professionally, I am grateful to work for a company like Hubbard and for a boss like Trip Reeb. I get the tools I need to succeed and work with good people who want to win. We have a beautiful facility; I have a view of Camelback Mountain outside my office window and an AC/DC pinball machine in the hallway.
Michelle Matthews – Program Director – WDVD/Detroit (recently severed)
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday for the food and the time with family and friends; I have so much gratitude for my life and my family. This year, it’s even stronger. My Mother passed away in 2022, and Thanksgiving was the first holiday we spent without her. It was always a special day in the kitchen with her. The grief of losing her is being filled with gratitude for the memories and pieces of her that are still with me on this holiday- going through her cookbooks as I plan, remembering stories, and feeling like she is standing right next to me in the kitchen.
In my professional world, I feel blessed by the people I have had the opportunity to work with—my ‘work family.’ From the mentors who continued to push and challenge me to the team members from whom I have learned, 2024 was a profound year, and for that, I am quite grateful.
Dr. Len O’Kelly – Associate Professor – Grand Valley State University
“What are you most grateful for?” This is an excellent opportunity to take a step back to think about life’s journey. How did I get here – on whose shoulders am I standing? My family. I was fortunate to have grown up in a home where I was encouraged to find my own path, learn, and make mistakes, knowing there was a strong support network for me. As an adult, I’m thankful for my family’s role in helping me to be the best person that I can be. Players in our families change, and new people join through marriage and births. The family unit still offers us the backbone we need to stand tall.
Professionally, I’m thankful for both careers that I have had. My first one, 25 years in broadcasting, allowed me to learn from the legends. Watching Dick Biondi work the crowd at a car dealership, John Records Landecker put together a radio show, sitting beside Larry Lujack and Tommy Edwards, telling stories. That experience prepared me for my second career, training the next generation of broadcasters. I’m grateful that there is a vibrant next generation who wants to reach audiences through our beloved medium. I’m also thankful for the support of Grand Valley State University in giving me the space and resources.
Taylor J – Midday Personality – Cumulus – Indianapolis
Personally, 2024 has proven to be tough for so many of us. I lost a significant personal relationship, and both of my parents are dealing with serious health issues. I have one of those milestone birthdays coming up before the end of the year, and it’s made me reflect with great hope for the future. I’m grateful that there is an increasing importance on all of our mental health. I am learning to stop sweating the small stuff. I always make sure that I have some live music to look forward to; in close second, it would be a social gathering with quality friends!
Professionally, I have an abundance of gratitude. I’m grateful that I’ve found myself in afternoon drive on an incredible Classic Hits radio station in Indy! I went through an extremely difficult period where, as a woman in radio, I fought for respect and worked in environments where I felt I wasn’t receiving it. I am grateful for the plans we have for 2025 and moving forward with a super talented team. I’m grateful to continue to do what I’ve loved doing for the past 30 years while evolving with its evolution, and excited to see what happens next!
Ron Allen – Brand Manager – Midwest Communications – Nashville
I’m very thankful that I have a healthy, amazing family, especially my wife and three boys. I love living in Franklin, Tennessee. It’s an amazing place to raise a family, and you’re only 15 miles from the best music anywhere. I’m sort of thankful for my two-year-old Bulldog, Ozzie. If you have been around Bulldogs much, you understand why it’s just “sort of,” but mostly, I’m thankful for the people who continue to be part of my life.
Professionally, I have a lot to be thankful for. I’m fortunate to have worked with some really great people who took an interest in me. I’ve been really lucky to work with great teams and big brands! Now, I’m thankful that I can pass all that experience on to the young folks that are coming up in the ranks of programming. I’m also thankful that I work for a company that allows me to make decisions and use my skills to program. A nice plus to all this is I get to work and live in Music city, one of the greatest places to be if you’re a radio guy.
Scott Roddy – Reginal Vice-President Country – Audacy
Forty-nine years ago, in a single-wide trailer near the track of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 16-year-old high school girl gave her chubby newborn boy up for adoption. My adoptive parents gave me the best upbringing they could. They encouraged creativity and to follow my dream of being an entertainer.
My folks bought me a five-channel mixer, a cassette deck, and an “on air” light for my 11th birthday. I set up a studio and “played radio” in my basement bedroom. At the age of 14, my parents drove me an hour, ONE WAY, to my first job at a small-town Country station EVERY Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Today, I start every day with a gratitude list of 10 things I’m grateful for. Every day I begin with gratitude for my family, the opportunity to continue “working” in my dream career and – most importantly – the people who mentored me and that I continue to learn from. I tell my team I work for them. They teach me—every day. I strive to let students realize the same dream I had when I was eighteen of getting on the radio and engaging in human communication.
“When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.” – Tony Robbins
The pile of gratitude THIS writer receives through a healthy family, time spent with those family members, and each present moment is high – even through recent waves of grief.
I am grateful to Jason Barrett for offering this platform to share perspectives and to you – the reader.
Thank you for opening your minds as you continue to be active learners.
Kevin Robinson is a passionate award-winning programmer, consultant and coach – with multi-formats success all over the country. He has advised numerous companies including Audacy (formerly Entercom Communications), Beasley Broadcast Group, Westwood One, Midwest Communications, Townsquare Media, Midwest Family Broadcasting Group, EG Media Group, Federated Media, Kensington Media, mediaBrew Communications, Starved Rock Media, and more. He specializes in strategic radio cluster alignment, building lean-forward tactics and talent coaching – legacy and entry-level – personalities.
Known largely as a trusted talent coach, Kevin is the only personality mentor who’s coached three different morning shows on three different brands in the same major market to the #1 position. His efforts have been recognized by The World Wide Radio Summit, Radio & Records, NAB’s Marconi, and he has coached CMA, ACM and Marconi Award-winning talent. He is also in The Zionsville High School Hall of Fame as part of the 2008 inaugural class. Kevin is an Indiana native – living near Zionsville with his wife of 39 years, Monica and can be reached at kevin@robinsonmedia.fm.
