MAY 9, 2024

RETIRING (AGAIN)

BILL EVANS PASSES THE MIC TO HIS CHILDREN

In 2014 Bill Evans announced that he was retiring from broadcasting. Two years later, he was right back in saddle running his stations. Now, just a month away from turning 82, Bill has decided to give retirement another try.


It was 1961 Evans landed his first radio job in Central City and from there he went to work in Leitchfield and Louisville before venturing out on his own.


Evans and business partner Keith Reising formed WQXE in 1969, choosing the call letters after a successful Atlanta, Georgia-based AM station called “Quicksie in Dixie.” Evans listened to that station while attending the Elkins Radio School of Broadcasting.


Eventually, Evans became sole owner of the station. It wasn’t until 1996 that Quicksie landed on 98.3. Prior to that, its radio frequency changed four times and it has grown from having a signal strength of 3,000 watts to 25,000 watts.


On Jan. 3, 2002, Evans acquired 94.3 The Wolf (WULF). Operating with 50,000 watts of power, the station’s signal strength would grow to cover five counties in central Kentucky and southern Indiana and more than 36 cities.


Evans also co-owns WGGC-FM with his son, Darrin, who runs the day-to-day operations at the Bowling Green station.


While Bill remains the owner of WULF & WQXE, earlier this year he handed the day-to-day management of the stations over to his son-in-law and daughter, Todd and Amy Bush.


After retiring (again), Evans plans to spend some quiet time on the farm tinkering with his collection of classic tractors.


“The greatest job in the world, to me, is being the general manager of a small-market, local radio station,” Evans said. “For 50+ years, I have been given that gift and it’s been great.”


The Kentucky Broadcasters Association congratulates Bill Evans on his forthcoming retirement. Bill's last official day is scheduled to be May 15th.

SYMPATHY EXTENDED

BILLY HARDIN PASSES AWAY

The Kentucky Broadcasters Association mourns the recent passing of Gateway Radio Works employee, Billy Bruce Hardin. Over the last four decades, Billy was a broadcast sales representative covering areas from Mt. Sterling to Morehead. His voice was also recognizable to listeners on commercials and live remotes.


"Billy was one of the most likable human beings I have ever known", said Tom McMakin, Gateway Radio President. "If you didn't like Billy, then you probably needed to reevaluate yourself."


Click HERE for complete obituary information.

LBS WEBINAR

TUESDAY, MAY 14TH @ 12PM EASTERN

It's not what we do once in a while that makes us more money and brings us to a much higher level of success; it's what we do every single day. In this fast-paced, jam-packed session, broadcast management consultant and sales guru Stefan Rybak reveals the simple yet powerful steps that help sellers take their income from where it is now to where they'd like it to be in a rapid, dramatic, and significant way. 


This presentation is geared explicitly for sellers who want to learn the best business plan, the 3 critical sales skills, how to get clients to a 10, the very best way to cold call, why nobody is reading your emails, the #1 sales skill that no one is using, how to create your own opportunities, the power question to ask every client, the top traits of high-performing salespeople, and how to program yourself for much greater success! Pay attention, take notes, and then immediately apply what you learn!

REGISTER NOW

KBA LEGACY AWARDS

NOMINATION DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING

KBA's Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Legacy Awards. The awards will be presented as part of the Excellence In Broadcasting Awards ceremony on Monday, September 30th at Central Bank Center in Lexington.


KBA Legacy Awards include: Al Temple Award, Clarance E. Henson Technology Award, Kentucky Mic Hall of Fame Award, J.T. Whitlock Life Service Award and the Ralph Gabbard Distinguished Kentuckian Award.


DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION IS MAY 31, 2024

LEARN MORE AND NOMINATE

THIS WEEKS MEMBER PIC

THAT'S A WRAP

Picture above (left) is Western Kentucky University Board of Regents member and 2019 KBA Board Chairman, David Brinkley. With the 2024 commencement, David not only wrapped up the semester, but also his tenure as Executive Director of WKU's Public Media program. David plans to retire from WKU in July.

We want to promote YOU! Send us your staff additions, promotions and special events. Email Chris at chris@kba.org

ARE YOU AGILE OR FRAGILE?


Agility is the ability to move quickly and easily. We can’t think of a better word to describe a required sales trait in today’s ever-changing world.  Those who are agile anticipate, adapt, understand, and find new ways of responding to new customer expectations.  Those who are not agile become fragile and in danger of losing business or, worse, careers.


In a blog by the Brooks Group, they share the results of a partnership with Tom O’Shea from Agility Consulting and Training. O’Shea shares the ten attributes needed for sales agility.  We’ll share five here, and you can click on the links for the full article:


  1. Rampant communications: Reach out to buyers early and often.
  2. Virtual sales training: Find customizable, flexible training that reflects the new world.
  3. Frequent strategy review sessions:  Make sure your sales skills are still effective and your value proposition still resonates.
  4. Embrace Change – future focus: Look out in front of the bus and not the rear-view mirror as the pace of innovation is coming quickly and resides in the road not yet traveled.
  5. Read everything you can to help: Be a voracious consumer of news and information about your marketplace, industry trends, and competition.


If you’ve participated in any RAB training, you can understand why those are the five attributes we felt might resonate most.  The common theme is staying on top of current and future trends and regular and consistent communication with your clients.


In your next sales meeting, you might consider a discussion evaluating your team on those five attributes of agility and see where adjustments may be needed so you can continue to be agile instead of fragile.

Jeff Schmidt is the SVP of Professional Development at the Radio Advertising Bureau. You can also connect with him by email JSchmidt@rab.com or on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Your active KBA membership entitles you to complimentary access to RAB's online certifications.

DATES TO REMEMBER

MAY 16, 2024

9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - Lexington, KY


AUGUST 15, 2024

9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - Louisville, KY


SEPTEMBER 29-30, 2024

KBA Annual Conference - Central Bank Center in Lexington


NOVEMBER 21, 2024

9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - Bowling Green, KY


*All times shown are Eastern

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