Kevin Shields Interview

The first time I met Kevin Shields was at a school field trip to a public radio station. The thing I found interesting about Kevin is that Kevin is blind and he is working in radio. I was really excited for this field trip. I was going to school at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, and I found out later that Kevin went there when he was in school.When Kevin was in Colorado radio he worked at an oldies music station, and he also worked at a public radio station. I met him at the public radio station, and I had a fabulous time listening to him talk about his job, and showing the group how he did his job. I wished that I could have asked more questions of Kevin while I was there.I am now going to share my interview with him.How did you get your start in Colorado radio?Kevin Shields:I got my start in College radio in the 1970’sin KASF in Alamosa Colorado. In 1980, I started on KRCC radio in Colorado Springs. I got in to commercial radio in 1982. I became program director at a Christian radio station in the Springs. In 1983 I moved to a station called KCMN radio. In 1991 I worked for KkLi radio. I worked there for 4 years. In 1998, I went back to KRCC and started working weekends for them.Until I moved to Carolina in 2007. In 2013 I started running a radio show on WCOM radio. Which is a community radio station here in Chapel hills North Carolina.I started that radio station in 2014 and I also do an old time radio show in addition to my other show on the station. That gives a quick history of what I have done.JL: Yes it certainly does, and it sounds like you have done a lot. What have been some of your favorite memories of working in the Springs, or in North Carolina?KS: I think my favorite memories are that I am doing something that I want to do and that I Love. I also like the fact that I get to do things on my own.JL: What advice would you have for someone wanting to get into the radio industry?KS: Don’t take no for an answer. If radio is something that you want to get involved in then don’t let other people tell you no you can’t do that or no they can’t use you.Keep trying you will get to do what you want to do. It’s not easy to get into the radio industry.JL: What are some of the challenges being a person who is blind who is in radio?KS: proving to the staff at the station that I can do it. That I can do it as well as any sighted person can do the job.JL: What would you like to see radio go back to?KS: I would like to see it go to more live and local programming. That’s what I love about radio.JL: I agree with you. That’s what I love about radio as well. Jl note. That’s something that Dan Mandis said as well. It was nice to find another person who was blind working in the radio industry. He had some wonderful advice. I will continue to be persistent, and keep trying.Thanks for tuning in.Jeremy Levy