I remember the first time I heard Deb Kennedy on the air....it was electrifying. From her first words..the listener is put at ease by her complete command of the art of speaking. She made me feel like I was listening to an old friend who knew just how to introduce and outro the music I loved listening to. I had met her prior to hearing her on air persona and it was one of the smoothest transitions I had experienced up to that point because we all know about the "crazy personalities" radio..who were a bit different when not behind the microphone. Not so with Deborah Kennedy, it was as though someone slipped a microphone in front of her while she was just doing her thing. I caught up with her on Facebook and, as I am doing with all the former folks of WCIN, encouraged her to give me her story leading up to WCIN...during and life after moving on...this is her response!
 |
| Deborah Kennedy |
My radio career began in my home town Springfield,Il. After graduation from the University of Ill, I landed a job on WTAX. After a couple of years I moved to Cedar Falls-Waterloo, Iowa..KUNI where I hosted an "urban"
radio show for the University of Norther Iowa. I was on vacation visiting a life long friend in Cincinnati and was listening to WCIN. I decided to go by the radio station to see if I could speak with the program director. Bob Long was very gracious and said send him a tape when I got back to Iowa. About a month later I was in "Cincy" on the air midnight to 4am!! It was also very exciting to be part of the team put together by Mike Roberts..Cincinnatti's first urban FM WBLZ..7-midnight was my shift. After leaving "Cincy" I landed in Memphis,Tn..WHRK K97 FM..another 7-midnight shift. Loved Memphis..great music town. Next it was on to St.Louis,Mo Majic 108 FM..first day time shift..10a-3pm. After St.Louis I returned to my home town, Springfield..WNNS FM hosted 7-midnight. Although it was a small market..my next moved was the biggest acomplishment in my career..Champagin-Urbana, Il...I was hired as general manager and program director..WBCP AM..the station was "dark". I put together the entire operation ..it was like giving birth!!
I returned to my home town, Springfield, back to WNNS and remained on the air until my "retirement" in 2007. I spent a glorious 32 years in radio broadcasting..it was a hell of a ride!!! Presently I host a Saturday night radio show "Smooth Jazz Take Out" a mix of smooth jazz and cool vocals. Streaming live audio WQNA.org..9pm until midnight..central time..Saturday nights. Tune in sometime!! Love ya!
Remember that she is on 9pm until Midnight..CENTRAL TIME...Saturday nites. Check her out and you will hear the sound that captivated this city for what seemed too short a time...
Love ya, Deb!
