When Aaron “Goose” Seller stepped into Columbus on February 1, 2025, he brought with him 26 years of radio experience and a passion for live, local morning radio. The veteran host had bounced around Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado (where he spent 12 years), and Maryland—sometimes moving for career advancement. Other times it’s been due to station sales or layoffs.
In late 2024, Seller sent his package to WRKZ 99.7 The Blitz. “Thankfully they heard something they liked,” he says. “I moved to Columbus in February, and it’s been a perfect fit.”
He joined forces with two hometown fixtures: Kelly Quinn and Thick Rick. “Kelly and Rick have spent their whole careers in Columbus, except for a short Myrtle Beach stint for Rick, and that’s been so important to our success,” Goose adds.
Goose serves as host and “quarterback,” steering the breaks and leading the discussions. “Kelly Quinn is the co-host “extraordinaire,” quick-witted, great for out-of-nowhere jokes, and the voice behind news and traffic,” he explains. “Thick Rick is the ultimate producer, lightning fast with clips and sound bites. He also handles the podcast, weekend rewind, and best-of programming.”
99.7 The Blitz has been part of Columbus for almost 30 years. It is locally owned, something the morning team says is key to its DNA. “The involvement starts with the owner and runs through the promotions staff,” Goose notes. “We’re proud of our work with “Christmas in July” for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, our partnership with Sonic Temple, and with local businesses.” Before even joining the show, Goose saw how strong the station’s bond with its listeners was. “We take extreme pride in being locally focused,” he says.
For now, the show’s big focus is solidifying chemistry. “We’re only seven months in, so our passion project is making the strongest new show possible,” Goose explains. Still, the Blitz’s signature “Christmas in July” fundraiser remains a centerpiece. The team already has “a ton of ideas” for the future.
Goose calls himself an “all-day prepper,” keeping notifications on, scanning news sites and TikTok for trends. The trio uses a group text thread to share ideas. Kelly preps news for the entire four-station cluster, while Thick Rick handles sports and audio to enrich the show. Goose builds the daily show sheet.
“Most of the time I don’t share the full articles or stories with them beforehand because I want their natural reactions,” he says. “We don’t write out bits or use callers on demand. Nothing on our show is fake. Sure, sometimes a joke falls flat (99.9% of the time it’s mine), but then we laugh about how bad it was.”
By far the team’s proudest accomplishment is its ratings climb. “When I started on February 1st, the show was 6th Men and Persons 25–54,” Goose says. “After three months we were 3rd. Since June we’ve been #1 Men and #2 Persons—and we just found out it’s continued for a third straight month. The chemistry was evident from day one. We clicked from the first break but never expected this quick of a reaction. We’re very thankful.”
Other than a few technical blips, the team has had smooth sailing so far, a rarity in today’s radio climate. Goose credits an “amazing” local owner down the hall, a supportive GM and OM, and mutual respect. “We all know our lanes, we’re good at what we do, and no one person is bigger than the show as a whole,” he says.
When it comes to attracting a younger demo and growing their audience, Goose admits there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. “Funny wins, but funny is different based on format, geography, age, and social status,” he says. “I have two teenage sons who couldn’t be more different. There’s no way the same thing will attract both of them. You have to be informed: know what they’re talking about, watching, what’s trending. Most importantly, know the answers for your area. There’s no cookie-cutter show or station that works everywhere.”
His advice for young talent interested in the business, “Learn everything,” Goose says. “Ask questions. Get your hands on all the equipment and departments. With consolidation, people wear multiple hats. The more you know, the more valuable you’ll be, and the more opportunities you’ll qualify for.”
As for what’s missing in the industry right now, “People,” Goose says bluntly. “We’re missing people. Semiannual layoffs, consolidation of programmers running entire regions, AI jocks. It’s unfortunate, but it will take a huge shift to fix. I love radio and believe in it, but when a Programmer from Detroit also programs a station in San Antonio thinking it’s the same audience, radio has already lost. When an EVP won’t listen to a local Promotions Director or Morning Host about an idea, radio has already lost. People, creativity, and originality, that’s what we’re missing.”
Follow the Blitz at 99.7 The Blitz on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.
Charese Fruge’ is an award-winning Content, Broadcast, and Marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, and Las Vegas. As the owner of MC Media, she works with radio brands and individual talent, especially young women, helping them grow their brands and negotiate on their own behalf. She is also a Voice Actor and Voice Over Talent as well as a Freelance Writer for International Broadcast Outlets. Find her at @MCMediaOnline or www.mcmediaonline.com.
