EPISODE SUMMARY: Shotgun Tom Kelly is a legendary Southern California broadcaster with experience at iconic stations and several broadcasting awards. He shares his journey from high school announcer to Emmy-winning icon with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Shotgun Tom about:

Growing up in San Diego and working his first gig as a high schooler
Getting into legal trouble operating a pirate station from his garage
His love of trains, radio towers, and other hobbies
Becoming an Emmy-winning children’s TV host
How he got the name “Shotgun Tom Kelly”
The story of the iconic hat he’s worn for over 55 years, and presenting one to President Reagan
Filling the shoes of Real Don Steele and hosting other oldies shows like 60s Gold on SiriusXM
Creating “Shotgun Tom’s Jukebox Live From the Corvette Diner”
Getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Stevie Wonder’s role in the
ceremony
His book, “All I Wanna Do Is Play The Hits”, available now on Amazon
His advice for the next generation

And More!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST:
“Shotgun Tom” Kelly has been entertaining Southern California radio and TV audiences for over 6 decades. He has worked at such renowned radio stations as KGB (in its “Boss Radio” days) and gained national acclaim at the legendary KCBQ. “Shotgun Tom” was honored at B-100 radio (KFMB-FM) with the Billboard magazine Air Personality of the Year Award for Major Markets in the mid-70’s. He also received two Emmy Awards for his performance as host of the McGraw-Hill syndicated TV word game show “Words-a-Poppin’” for children. For twelve years at KUSI-TV he was host of their morning and afternoon children’s programs. In 1997, after a nationwide talent search, “Shotgun Tom” Kelly was chosen by CBS Radio’s K-EARTH 101/Los Angeles to fill the coveted afternoon drive slot after the death of The Real Don Steele. In 2000, “Shotgun Tom” won Radio and Records “Oldies Air Personality of the Year” and competed for that award with radio personalities in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit. “Shotgun Tom” is also heard around the country doing voice work and commercials for many other stations. In 2013, “Shotgun Tom” Kelly received his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and La Brea Ave.

LINKS:

Shotgun’s latest book, All I Wanna Do Is Play The Hits!: https://www.amazon.com/All-Wanna-Do-Play-Hits/dp/B0DB6YCM97

His Emmy award: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNddkwtGnqs

His Walk of Fame star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNQek1WYE_c

Riding his dad’s train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLe1BkEibRY
More model trains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGIRpgVUUg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDq3zp56Xkk

ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.

ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.

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PEOPLE MENTIONED:

Johnny Downs
Jhani Kaye
Bob Nursing
Robert W Morgan
Real Don Steel
Wolfman Jack
Thomas K Arnold
Neil Ross
Ken Levine
Charlie VanDyke
Bill Drake
KO Bailey
Bob Elliot
Peter Huntington May
Buzz Bennet
Rich Brother Robbin
Bobby Ocean
Harry Scarborough
Jack McCoy
Rod Stewart
Phil Bower
Bobby Rich
Chuck Browning
Wes Meisnitzer
Dan Mason
Ronald Reagan
Dave Sniff
Tommy Sablan
Jeff and Jer
Mark Larson
Charleton Heston
Wayne Newton
Frank Sinatra
Duncan Hunter
Michael Reagan
Vin Scully
Marty Levine
Pat Duffy
Mark Dennis
Stevie Wonder
Gary Bryan?
Milton Hardaway
Mark Wahlberg
Steve Harvey
Shawn Andre
Dick Clark
Clint August

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