Country Music Chat: Sunday Driving on Full Throttle County with @KellySymone

I am so grateful to Kelly Symone for agreeing to do this eView on such short notice! She is such an incredible woman and one of the greatest female On-Air Personalities, with Personality in the Country! She is also an actress and songwriter.

You can listen to her live Monday through Friday from 10a to 2pm on Sacramento's 101.9 the Wolf, KNTY.

Meet Kelly Symone!!

Where are you answering these questions from?

My home office

What are you wearing?

Black tank top and blue denim shorts

How did you get started in Broadcasting?

I had been working in Kansas City, MO in the Marketing Department of a casino working with radio stations closely on contests and promotions. I then became the Entertainment Coordinator running the concert venue there, and continued working with radio on show presents and got to know everyone. I then moved on to became the Advertising and Marketing Director for a nationwide retail chain my radio relationships continued and expanded as I was the buyer for sixteen markets. I began to voice my own spots in my home market and started to become more familiar with the ins and outs of radio. I knew radio was where I wanted to be, and I moved on to become the Promotions and Marketing Director for the heritage country station, WDAF (then AM) and was mentored by my PD Ted Cramer. I started doing some things on air too and was bit by the radio bug! I wound up moving to Las Vegas for a short time and due to no radio jobs being available I worked at the Flamingo Casino as the Advertising and Publicity Coordinator. I really realized radio was where I needed to be because I was having serious withdrawls! I moved back to Sacramento and spent a short time at KNCI and then moved on to be the Promotions Director for two new stations, Real Country 92.1 and Flash 103.9 (80’s format) under the same cluster. After being laid off there, I moved on to work out of country as the Morning Show Producer and DJ on KGBY and then spent time at KHYL as well. I missed the country format way too much, and took a job working one day on the weekends for my current station, KNTY. I moved on to do nights, then moved up to midday’s where I’ve been since January of 09!

What are 3 items you CAN NOT live without?

My iPhone, computer and clothes! (even though you can’t see me on the radio lol)

Favorite item of clothing/jewelry/accessory? Why?

My witch on a broomstick silver pendant. My birthday is on Halloween and I collect witches!

Have you ever been in a fight?

Yes! In High School! Nothing bloody or broken but some punches were thrown!

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?

What messages do I have on my phone?

What kind(s) of car do you drive?

A Mommy Mobile….my burgundy Toyota Sienna with leopard seat covers!

Is there anything that you regret?

Yes! The biggest thing is that my parents offered to get me a vocal coach when I was 13 but I refused so it wouldn’t cut into my social life. Singing and music has always been my passion! At least I get to work in the industry!

What are your fondest childhood memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?

I would take my albums (ya know, the black vinyl circles you put on a thing called a record player) and sing and put on shows for my parents (much to their chagrin I’m sure) and sing tracks from The Sound of Music, Grease and Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Soundtracks! Also the occasional Barry Manilow song!

What current event has your eyes and ears? And what are you doing about it?

Cyberstalking of children! I keep my kids off of social networking sites and read articles on the air that pertain to that to educate people.

How do you use Social Media in your industry for productivity?

I use it to keep up on artists, entertainment news and industry news to stay educated and for preparation for my show. I also use it to post what I’m doing on my show and life, and to network and meet wonderfully talented people in the industry and listeners who support me.

What is your favorite website?

Facebook! I’m able to keep up on all the things I need to know, along with getting to keep in touch with friends and get to know the listeners all in one place!

If you had a Super Power what would it be?

The ability to erase people’s memories after something painful happens. I think it’s important to go through the pain and then learn the lesson or have it put you on whatever path you’re meant to go on next, but then have the pain and memory of why you now know what know disappear. Especially with the loss of a loved one; just remember the happy memories of their life and not pain over their death.

Which famous people do you admire?

There are so many, but I’d have to say Oprah because she is a tenacious, driven, successful woman who made her dreams come true no matter what obstacles she faced.

What is your favorite movie?

Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! It of course involves chocolate, but there are adult undertones and lessons in the movie that remind us that we are accountable for our own actions and It illustrates that each of us has enough proverbial rope to either hang or save ourselves.

Favorite snack?

I love so many, but my favorite right now is Flaming Hot Cheetos! I love spice and cheese and crunch and they combine all three!

How do you balance your work with other obligations?

I am married with three children of my own (two boys one girl) and one stepdaughter so balance is very important to me. We always have a family dinner when we’re all home so we can all engage at least once a day. I make sure that when I’m not home I carve time out to spend with them during that day, even if it’s just before school. If that is not possible, I make sure as soon as I am home, I engage with them and give them all my attention. My husband and I keep in contact via text all day to stay connected and then when the kids go to bed we catch up on our day and give each other our undivided attention. As far as a hobby, I do some acting and modeling work and I am also a songwriter! I try to plan my Nashville trips around the kids and work schedules.

Do you get nervous about anything?

I work in radio so I’m nervous everyday as to whether or not my key will work!

Do you have a ritual before you go on the air?

Yes! I go through my music log and prizes so I know what’s going on throughout my show, pull out my show prep to match up stories with my scheduled music, log on to facebook and twitter and start posting what’s coming up!

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be, and what would say to them?

There are so many choices for me there, but as a previous Psychology major, I would want to meet Freud and have him analyze me!

What is your hobby or do you collect anything?

I collect Princess Jasmine things (Disney) because so many people have told me I look like her! I collect witches because my birthday is on Halloween, and my hobby is songwriting! I also do some acting and modeling as well!

What chore to you hate>

Scrubbing the shower! Backbreaking!

Fruits or Vegetables?

Both equally!!!!

Mac or PC?

Ginger or Mary Ann?

Ginger

Salt or Pepper?

Neither!

Craziest thing you have ever done?

Gone into radio! But crazy is fun!

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