If we’re fortunate, our day will come. Retirement day. Those notices are growing by the day in gold-based formats. Notifications of another radio industry giant hanging up the headphones and potting the mic down, signing off for the last time.
The listener hears the polished farewell break. Some welcome the exhale of the pressure to perform an A+ daily show after a 3am alarm, stressful ongoing ratings compression, and living life in in quarter-hours.
Others step away from the studio to find an uncertainty to the rhythm of their life, missing the ache of listener connection that for decades, only radio gave.
This week we explore the perspective of what veteran talent experience when the on air light dims and the next chapter begins.
St. Louis radio legend Guy Phillips grew up outside arguably the greatest radio city ever, Chicago, Illinois. He was energized by greats like Lujack, and Winston and Landecker. In the 70’s, Guy enrolled in New Mexico State University before opting out of the university life and heading to the South Texas town of El Paso.
Unlike other legendary talent, Guy made just a few other stops before landing in St. Louis in 1979 on 98.1 KSLQ, eventually changing call letters to KYKY in 1982. He anchored several variations of an ensemble morning show on the 98.1 frequency eventually becoming Phillips & Company. Nearly 40 years were spent on the same dial position. Guy spent a few years at crosstown KTRS-AM before stepping away in 2020.
Guy is widely known as the most popular radio and emcee host in St. Louis. He’s in The St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame and created The Guy Phillips Media Endowed Scholarship Fund at his alma mater New Mexico State University. His industry awards could fill an additional page in this column.
A Conversation with Guy Phillips
Kevin: In retirement from radio, aside from the ability to sleep in, what was the biggest adjustment?
Guy: The biggest adjustment for me was missing the camaraderie of the people whom I would work with every day. In a business where we strive to communicate with an audience we never see, the importance of having a connection to people who work around us is way underrated. As a radio personality, you forget that stories you glean from those with whom you work often make it onto the air in one form or another. At the very least, you get to bounce ideas off of those same people, each with their own unique perspectives. It’s like having a bunch of writer/show consultants at your disposal!
Kevin: What’s something about retirement that really surprised you or something you didn’t expect?
Guy: Two distinct impressions about retirement, hit me almost immediately. The first is, I did not like retirement at all. In my case, my retirement came after I was asked to take a pay cut due to fears of COVID related income concerns. Without hesitation I politely declined that invitation. Why? Because I had FU money. So if I could offer a bit of sage advice, it would be to save all of your “Sheckles” so that you can control when and how you exit any job.
The second thing, and the most awakening to me, was that I didn’t miss the business of radio. Only when I would listen to a show and hear something clever or interesting did I want to be in the middle of it. But when the off button was off I had no residual desire to jump back in. (Although when I’ve filled in or have been a guest on different shows, I enjoy the heck out of it!)
Kevin: Has stepping away from radio changed how you view our business now?
Guy: I’ve always remarked that I got into this business at the perfect time and got out at the perfect time. Over the years, I’ve seen enormous changes in radio. Some which I’ve admired and some which I’ve felt were constricting, they were all part of the process. I’m not a fan of syndicated shows in multiple markets with personalities recording 4-hour shows in 45 minutes. I am keenly aware of the financial burdens of station/group ownership though.
My personal opinion is that radio is wounded, down but not dead. It needs a Phoenician moment of resurrection. Hopefully that will come in the next wave of talented managers and owners.
Connect with Guy at GuyPY98@aol.com or on Facebook.
A Conversation with George Lindsey
George Lindsey left Audacy Country KILT/Houston in late 2024 after a wildly successful 10 year run. He’s a life-long radio personality having built his talent in rural Kentucky working his way north to Louisville as the Program Director and Morning Host of Alpha Media’s WMJX/Louisville while serving as the cluster’s Operations Manager.
The Kentucky Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame recognized his state-wide contributions with an induction just this year. George’s Houston Morning Show, The Morning Bullpen, added an Academy of Country Music Award to their trophy case too in 2023.
I caught up with George late last week in Houston, asking for his take on retirement as today he splits his time between Texas and Kentucky working in his wife’s travel company.
Kevin: What about radio today that makes you wish you were still part of it?
George: The key words for me in that question are “radio today” and the answer is honestly, nothing. The negatives have outweighed the positives for a while for me!
Kevin: What’s something about retirement that really surprised you or something you didn’t expect?
George: Sharing the mornings with my wife has been wonderful and rejuvenating for us. That was a worry. We’ve been married 40 years and I’ve done a morning show the entire time, so there was concern what it would be like. She has a routine so it was important how I fit into that!
Kevin: Do you stay connected to radio or have you made a clean break?
George: I have wonderful friends who are still in the biz but for me, I’m out. I did get to do a really cool thing though, hosting the local, hometown morning show at the radio station that I started at 50 years ago at age 15! And I was informed that I was inducted into the Kentucky Radio Hall Of Fame. It was so great!
Kevin: What is one piece of advice you would offer someone who’s been in radio and thinking about retirement?
George: 3 things: You have way more transferable skills than you think, you are more valuable than you have been lead to believe, and find a purpose. You have been mission focused all of your career. That doesn’t go away when you leave.
Connect with George Lindsey at George.lindsey.official@gmail.com or on Facebook.
A Conversation with Bobby Rich
When you begin your radio journey at age 14, you’re branded for life. That’s what industry giant Bobby Rich did in rural Ephrata Washington before embarking on a cross-country storied career that took him to Davenport, Miami, New Haven, New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia before landing and creating The B Morning Zoo at San Diego’s B-100.
In the early 90’s, Bobby moved to Tucson becoming Program Director and morning host. He became a market staple at 94.9 Mix FM for decades, then moved across town to two more stops before bowing out of the industry in 2023.
Bobby’s trophy case holds recognition hardware from Radio & Records and Billboard Magazine as Program Director and Personality of the year. He’s also in The Arizona Broadcaster Hall of Fame. His new book Bobby Rich: My Life in Your Radio hits Amazon this week.
I spoke up with Bobby recently to get his thoughts on being retired.
Kevin: Tell me about your journey. What best thoughts are you left with after retirement?
Bobby: I always loved being on the radio starting at age 14 and retired at 77. I was fortunate to make it to the Bigs, choosing the excitement and enjoyment and it worked out. Oh, I was also fired seven or eight times. Maybe nine. But I always stepped up and out to a better situation.
Kevin: What advice do you have for those after checking out for good?
Bobby: Maybe take a break and get the negative thoughts out of your mind. Do not bad-mouth the industry because you had a bad experience. If we are ever to bring radio back it will require a whole new mindset.
Kevin: After retiring, in a few words how do you feel about your radio path?
Bobby: After almost 60 years, I can’t imagine a better past and can only hope for a comfortable future for me and my family. Take a break, rebound to the time you were happy and proud to be part of a wonderful and exciting way of life that very few others have experienced. Radio was my first love. It will be my last.
Connect with Bobby at bobby-rich-radio.com or on Facebook.
Final Thoughts
As more heritage radio talent hang up the headphones, Program Directors are left a tough task. They have to fill a chair that listeners expect to entertain and love. Most times, it’s a cultural shift for the entire radio station.
Smart leaders are already in succession planning mode to avoid panic hiring. The next generation of creators are being seeded on easy entry digital platforms like TikTok, Instagram and/or You Tube. This is far from the usual stack of résumés and aircheck recruitment. Tapping into emerging local personalities and fresh talent already living inside the building are your best options
Avoid seeking a clone. Discover the personality fit for your next era.
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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.
