Conversations.buzz

JOHN KOBYLT has been half of the most popular talk radio show in Los Angeles for 36 years. Now his partner, Ken Chiampou, has announced his retirement. The famous John and Ken Show is about to become the John Kobylt Show. That's where we start this conversation, with the obvious questions: when and what can we expect?

KEN CHIAMPOU and John Kobylt electrified Los Angeles with their brash, clear-spoken brand of talk radio when they arrived at KFI 36 years ago and they haven't stopped. It's the longest-running talk show in radio history that changed the direction of the talk radio industry. In this exclusive conversation, Ken tells Dave Williams why he's retiring and looks back on 40 years of friendship with John, and the lightning they've held together in a bottle. L.A. radio will never be the same.

MARK AUSTIN THOMAS is his real name. It's a beaut, ain't it? Well, so is the man behind it. MAT, as he's sometimes known to friends and colleagues, has made the most of his deep native intellect, his curiosity, and his passion for journalism. Now retired but by no means old, Mark shares his insights and philosophies.

JOHN GEHRON is a name synonymous with Chicago Radio; he began programming the legendary WLS in 1974 and built it into a music radio institution. He also created a national standard for the “smooth jazz” format while at Chicago’s WNUA-FM, followed with senior officer and COO titles at American Radio and Infinity Broadcasting, including the role of Senior Vice President of Programming for all of Infinity/CBS. When Oprah Winfrey decided to start her own radio show she turned to John as the obvious choice to guide its programming. John's philosophy is deceptively simple: hire great talents and give them every tool and opportunity to succeed.

Bill Rogers & Camille Dixon are the voices of Disney, master voice actors with skills that enable them to cast Disney Magic on children of all ages. And, get this: they're married! How it all happened for them, and us, is a romantic story for the ages in true Disney style.

Jack Swanson is a superstar of news and talk radio. He has been a primary architect of the spoken word formats around the world. Radio towers may vanish but the desire for information and entertainment through new communications platforms has Jack excited. He says he wishes he could live another 50 years to see what comes next. We all hope he does.

Greg Tantum is one of the most successful radio programming executives in the U.S. He's also one of the happiest and most beloved human beings on the planet. That's not a coincidence. Through his decades of building great radio stations he has also built great people whose passion for the business he developed and nourished as if they comprised his own garden. Radio and people. To hear Greg tell it makes you wonder why the whole world doesn't work this way.

Andy Ludlum spent decades learning his craft and teaching it to others. He was my boss at KFWB, Los Angeles, and is still a special friend. I learned from him, I respect and like him. Andy Ludlum is a true Radio Master.