The following bio comes from an interview I did with a broadcast journalism student at West Texas A&M: When and where were you born? I was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas…home of the Texas Tech RED RAIDERS! What is your earliest memory of music? My dad got me the Beatles ‘Help!’ record when I was about 4-years-old and I went absolutely crazy for them. I remember listening to that record over and over and over again with these huge old Sony headphones that my parents got me for Christmas…probably because they were sick of having to hear ‘Ticket to Ride’ blaring through the walls of my bedroom at all hours of the day and night. Who was the most influential person to you as a child? My dad. He’s a good dude. Did you have any nicknames? A bunch that I can’t say here. I’m constantly called ‘Lando’ and my close friends call me ‘Lando Calrissian’…because I’m a raging nerd. Although, Boba Fett is my favorite Star Wars character. Not that you asked. Where did you attend high school? Monterey High School Did you play on any sports teams? I played baseball for the legendary Bobby Moegle for about a week my sophomore year until he asked me to stop showing up for practice. That’s actually true. Were you involved in any school clubs? I joined theater after my illustrious baseball career was squashed. Theater quickly became something I enjoyed immensely. And I was actually pretty good at it! How would you describe yourself as a student, both socially and academically? Terrible student academically. I did well socially because I was pretty much friends with everybody. Plus, I was in a band! The Porcelain Gods. We were awful, but remember kids, even being in an awful band gets you more attention from the ladies than no band at all. Did you earn any honors or were you recognized for any achievements? I got ‘Best Personality’ my senior year. Take that, Prom King! Did you attend college? I went to Texas Tech for a brief period. I got a full-time slot on KOOL FM and quickly decided that I would rather play music all day and talk on the radio. What was your first job in radio? In high school, we had what was called a ‘work-study’ program where you got credit for having a job AND you didn’t have to be at school until 10:30am. You got to skip your first class of the day so you could go to your job. The legendary Jack Dale…’The voice of the Red Raiders’…hired me to produce his show every weekday from 7am-10am and I did that for high school credit. It was awesome. In addition to being paid money, how else has your radio career created value in your life? It’s really everything to me. That’s the best way I can put it. I live and breathe radio. More specifically, classic hits radio. It’s far and away the most enjoyable and rewarding format in the business. Trust me. You don’t get into radio for the money. There really is none. You do it because you really enjoy the listeners and you have a passion for the music you play for them every day. You have to have both of those things. If you don’t, you’ll never connect with your audience. Finally, what would be your ideal radio job? Well, for starters, I would stay on the station where I’ve been for years. I would just do my show from a beach in the Bahamas…and the KOOL Morning Show wouldn’t start until noon.
Landon King
Alzheimer’s Association to Host Walk to End Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association will host the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 6 at the Wells Fargo Amphitheater. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise funds and awareness for the disease’s care, research and support.
Kool FM Welcomes Blood, Sweat & Tears to the South Plains Fair!
Kool FM's FREE show at the South Plains Fair is certain to be the most memorable yet! Blood, Sweat & Tears will take the stage on Thursday, September 25th with new lead singer, and American Idol star, Bo Bice!
You Can Now Buy an Ice Bucket Challenge Halloween Costume
Regardless of how you feel about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, NO ONE is going to be a fan of this. Some company is now selling an Ice Bucket Challenge Halloween costume.
Sales of the “Bogie and Bacall” Song “Key Largo” are Up 625% Since Lauren Bacall’s Death
"Key Largo", the 1981 YACHT ROCK classic that includes the line, "We had it all / Just like Bogie and Bacall", sold 3,000 copies in the sales week that ended just five days after Lauren Bacall's death.
Lauren Bacall Left $10,000 to Her Dog
Lauren Bacall set aside $10,000 in her will for her DOG, a papillon named Sophie. She'll be cared for by Sam Robards, Lauren's son with her second husband, actor Jason Robards.
Kool FM & United Blood Services Host the ‘Labor Day Heroes’ Blood Drive All This Week
United Blood Services and Kool FM have begun our annual 'Labor Day Heroes Blood Drive'. Blood drives are scheduled throughout the South Plains this coming week beginning on today.
Five Tips to Keep You From Messing Up Your “Ice Bucket Challenge”
Here are five tips to make sure you don't mess it up or hurt yourself, like a lot of people have done.
Nick Offerman Reads Random Thoughts People Have Posted on Reddit
Nick Offerman from "Parks and Recreation" is in a new video where he reads random observations people posted in a Reddit section called "Shower Thoughts."
A Guy on a Motorcycle Crashes Into the Back of a Car and Lands on His Feet…on the Roof of the Car [VIDEO]
Some guy in Russia was on a motorcycle, and crashed in to the back of a car. And not only did he land on his feet...he landed on his feet on the roof of the CAR he hit.
Coming September 7th – “The Buddy Holly Country Tribute: Remember Me”
There's a country-themed tribute to Buddy Holly coming out next month. It's called "The Buddy Holly Country Tribute: Remember Me" and it's out September 7th, which would have been Buddy's 78th birthday. Merle Haggard is one of the performers on it.
Seven Things You May Not Have Known About “Saved By the Bell”
There are probably people out there who know EVERYTHING about "Saved By the Bell". And I'm sure they LOVE sharing that knowledge...since really, what other use is there for it? But not everyone is lucky enough to have a "Saved By the Bell" expert in their lives, so here are seven interesting facts about the show that you may not have known:
Was “The Blob” Based on a True Story? Sort Of
"The Blob" was actually based on a true story. In 1950, four Philadelphia police officers reportedly found some kind of substance that fell from the sky and landed in an open field. But before anyone else could witness it, it dissolved.