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Straight From the Mouth
The Morning Mouth's July Interview with Kelly, Jonathan & Mudflap
(Reprinted by permission; Copyright © 2005 Talentmasters Inc.)
Let's start with a quick bio:
Jonathan: I started in 1985 in Fort Smith Arkansas. I was 15 years old and spent my mornings calling the local Top 40 station (KISR) and doing a really bad character voice, Coach Jim, that I still do today. I guess "he" will always stay with me no matter how corny it is. And believe me, it's corny.
Kelly: First job was at WLRS (88) in Louisville as news chick for the Rocky and Ramsey show. Next stop, KOA in Denver in1989. She started at KYGO in 1990 doing news as part of the morning show. She also did her own talk show in the mid 90's on KTLK. In 2000 Kelly left behind the news role at KYGO and took on a leading role in the show.
Along the way, were there jocks who inspired you?
Jonathan: Craig O'Neill at KKYK in Little Rock. I totally ripped off his I sat next to him and could barely speak. I told him the entire story of how I stole from him. He was the first to tell me "if you've stolen from me, you've stolen twice." He was quite flattered over the whole deal.
Kelly: As a really little kid, I remember listening to Bill Bailey at WAKY radio in Louisville, KY.
How did the two of you end up together? Was it love at first sight?
Jonathan: I had really hit a dark spot in my career right before coming to KYGO. Two failures in Phoenix at KZZP and at The Mix in Kansas City. I wasn't sure if I had done my last break on morning radio. Maybe I just didn't have it anymore. Then, the chance to come back to Denver came along. I wasn't sure about the reduced role I was stepping into, more of a 3rd wheel, sidekick kind of thing. Soon after though, my evil plan of station domination came to fruition after I cut the break cable on Sandy Travis' car and he died in a horrific crash. No, not really. He retired and the rest is history. I still use Sandy's favorite quote from time to time... "this is not reality, this is radio".
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Kelly: I was frustrated with the state of our morning show back then. The show needed an infusion of fun and someone my age. Johnny came in for an audition and I begged him to stay. My arms were literally wrapped around his ankles as he left... "don't go, don't go, don't go."
When did Mudflap arrive?
Mudflap: I came in August of 2001. One month before 9/11. Not great for a comic. Add a comic at a time when nobody thinks anything is funny. Everybody is offended by everything. It was walking through a mine field for a year.
And the story behind his name?
Jonathan: Our boss, Joel Burke and consultant Rusty Walker, came up with this ridiculous name. I was openly against it. I honestly thought it was the dumbest thing I had ever heard. Boy was I wrong on the name. It's been huge. Hell, people think we're "Kathy and Jimmy," but they sure do remember Mudflap. Steve has done a great job at embracing the name and working it all the way.
Kelly: It involves big rigs, strippers and Viagra. That's all I'm allowed to say.
How do you feel about Benchmarks?
Jonathan: For years I hated benchmark bits, but I've changed my opinion a bit on that. You have to work to your strengths. Run that play again. Now, we don't do the same stuff on the same day of the week at the same time. We rotate our strongest features to expose them to new people. Otherwise, people only hear the same thing at the same time. How dull is that? Plus, we're always adding new stuff that sometimes gets put into that rotation. "Hey how bout those 7:20 Birthdays evrabody?"
Kelly: I do a thing called Kelly Temp where I go out and do people's job. They're funny because I'm so inept and I usually pick hard/gross jobs. I always get people saying... "you couldn't handle my job." They're probably right.
Give us a bit or something you did on the air that your listeners
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Jonathan: My personal all-time favorite was when I married 14 couples at 14,000 feet on top of Pikes Peak. It made international news. I got job offers from Singapore. I could've been huge there.
Mudflap: Riding in a police car that traps a thief. It's called a bait car. I was a master of the bait car. I drove around till the cops remotely turned it off and locked the doors. I was trapped until they came to let me out.
Any others?
Jonathan: "HollyWilde Squares," I do 4 different characters or impressions with goofy answers and our 2 contestants have to agree or disagree. It has really turned into one of our all time favorite features. I think we do it 14 times a week now.
Kelly: Mudflap and I do a bit called, Stump the Lounge Lizards. People call in with one word and we have to come up with a song title in 10 seconds. We have funky alter egos, Strawberries and Cream. It's a blast and we're good.
Eight years and counting, any groupies along the way?
Kelly: Not really. But, I'm just pathetic enough to want one. Send apps to kellyford@kygo.com.
Mudflap: I have several groupies. I love it. Why not. I'm single :-).
What's the most personal thing you ever got a celeb' to reveal?
Jonathan: When Jimmy Wayne was in studio, we started to ask him about his childhood and he just broke down while telling us this 10-minute story about how awful his mom was and never knowing his father. It was some kinda radio. Totally raw.
Kelly: What I remember more is our worst interview. Shania at the CMA's. edited down her one word answers into about 20 seconds and it was hilarious. "Hi, yes, no, that's cute, okay, super, same here, take care, you too, bye."
I just did an article -- gasp! -- for another publication on "Managing A Morning Show." What tips would you give to a PD just bringing in a new show?
Jonathan: Make sure everyone is on the same page in advance as to what the station expects from the show. If you want your show to play 8-10 songs an hour and do 2 minute breaks, tell them in advance. Otherwise, don't freak out when the norm is 4-5 songs and 5 minute breaks.
Kelly: Help them bond with their audience. Give them the space, time and resources to create that relationship. Without it, they will fail.
Okay, total honor system time: Which stations are the first five buttons on your car radio set to?
Jonathan: Country, Modern AC, Mainstream Top 40, Classic Rock, Jack.
Kelly: Country, Top 40, Mix, BBC and 40's music.
Mudflap: KYGO, Talk Radio, Talk Radio, Classic Rock and Talk Radio.
Any other satellite radios in your home or car?
Jonathan: No. Not really that interested yet. I actually don't own an iPod either. Them things are the work of the devil.
Kelly: I like it (satellite) a lot. But it does gets old. I want personality. As a chick, it sounds crazy but I actually like to hear commercials. I want to know where the sales are. I also want to know what's going on where I live. I think satellite has its' place but will never completely replace terrestrial radio.
Mudflap: Yes. I love it. I'd love to do a show like Opie and Anthony. I'd love to be totally open and honest with life and language.
Let's imagine KYGO flips to Disco Country and you have to leave, where, what would be your dream job?
Jonathan: KIIS-FM/Los Angeles (Seacrest, I know what you drive too) or any gig that would be located on the beach and actually pay well. Actually, any gig that pays well.
Kelly: I'd love to do my own Kelly, Kelly, Kelly show in L.A. or New York surrounded by adoring men who are there to serve my every whim. In fact, I would need a cabana boy. My out of the ballpark dream would be to do an ensemble comedy skit show (ala SNL). Realistically, I would probably open a shabby chic booth at a local flea market.
Mudflap: TV sitcom and movies. I'm a standup comic. I have been for 25 years. I have done a ton of stand up on TV. I have a special on Comedy Central now. I also have a DVD in the stores it's called "The Southern Gents of Comedy" It has me and Ron White on it.
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