THE RETRO COUNTRY GANG
KEN COOPER
Ken is currently the morning show host of powerhouse country Q105 in Tampa. He and his wife Linda have two beautiful children, Christian 5 and Alexander 2 1/2. Over a span of his 20-year career, Ken has enjoyed great success in major markets in a variety of formats. Prior to joining WRBQ (Q105) Ken Coopers morning show was featured in markets such as B-97 in New Orleans as (Cajun Ken), KFI Los Angeles, KTFM San Antonio, WFYR Chicago, 94 Q Atlanta and KZLA Los Angeles. While at KZLA in 1992 he was honored with a nomination for Billboards Country Music Disc Jockey of the Year. Ken Has also been heard as the announcer for " Hot Country Nights" (previously run on both NBC and TNN) and for several years on the Academy of Country Music Awards.
CHRIS HUDSPETH
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
He started his career at the tender age of 13, doing whatever it took to get in the industry. Chris has spent 18 years, working at radio stations from the Carolina's to Philadelphia, PA and now Miami, FL
Besides Retro Country, he produces audio for Walt Disney World, commercial clients and radio stations across the country, even in Jamaica.
Chris is also the Director for the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Davie, FL, where he gets to share what he has learned to help others live their dream.
For fun: Chris is a Professional wrestling referee, likes scuba diving and golf.
Favorite artists: Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs, and Keith Whitley.
Winner of 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 South Florida A.I.R. awards.
"Producing Retro Country USA over the past few years has been a great experience...You couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with on this show. It is fun. I love music and I get paid, I couldn't ask for anything better!!"
STEVE KELLY
Big Steve is a well-known, award-winning On-Air Personality, Program Director, Marketing Specialist, Programming Consultant, and Published Trade Author with a large following in markets like Detroit, Philadelphia, Richmond, Norfolk, Tampa, Orlando, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Memphis. As an experienced voice-over talent and producer, his work is heard coast-to-coast, for major advertisers, radio and television stations, corporate videos and films. Steve owns and operates a state-of-the-art digital recording studio in Memphis. Most recently, Steve was the Operations Manager (and a familiar fill-in voice on the air) for Infinity's three stations here in Memphis: WMC-FM100, SportsPlus 790 WMC-AM, and WMFS the New-93X. Steve's network credentials include CBS, Westwood One, Super Radio Network's 'Retro Country USA', and William B. Tanner Syndication. Steve is a graduate of Kutztown State University in Kutztown, PA, with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Journalism. Steve is married, with two great kids, and he and his family reside with their six dogs and two cats in Lakeland, just outside Memphis.
DALE O'BRIAN
Dale O'Brian's career in broadcasting spans over 20 years. Dale has been in radio for 25 years and has programmed radio stations in markets like Washington, DC and Atlanta. Today, Dale makes his home in Lexington Kentucky with his wife Kimberly and 2 sons. Dale moved the offices of RETRO COUNTRY USA to Kentucky to be near family and enjoy some of the most beautiful countryside that America as to offer. He writes RETRO COUNTRY USA every week from there and spends a few days a month in Nashville. Dale says, "It's so great to share all of the great music from country music's past with so many people around the world every week…what can I say, it's my favorite show!" Dale was named BILLBOARD MAGAZINE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR in 1996 and has been nominated as Program Director of the Year and Music Director of the Year by numerous industry trade publications.