“Catching Up with Kannon”
May 19, 2023
by Bob Burke
Kannon
I’ve known Mike Kannon, affectionately known as simply “Kannon,” for nearly 20 years. He’s one of “US,” sleeps, eats, and breathes radio, and loves his Philadelphia Eagles. He might be one of the last of a generation who grew up listening on traditional radio and knew from that minute what he would eventually pursue in life.
I’m not quite sure he ever envisioned taking over for a radio legend, hosting a legendary show, “Open House Party,” The original Saturday night party show nationally syndicated on hit music radio stations, but he did!
It’s a well-deserved honor for one of the industry’s most passionate personalities and programming minds. It was about time we caught up with Kannon who now calls Atlanta home and continues to work on creating exciting radio content for both OHP and Star 94.1.
How does a young boy from North Carolina who grew up listening to Open House Party end up as the show’s current host, replacing radio legend John Garabedian?
Let me first make it clear Bob, there is no “replacing John Garabedian.” But I’m incredibly honored to succeed him and to have been fortunate to learn from him, call him a friend, and have him hand-pick me to succeed him.
This story begins when I was in high school and heard OHP on my hometown radio station (G105). I immediately knew what I wanted to do for a living. The show was unlike anything I had ever heard. Superstar guests every week, incredible hit-driven mixes, and John interacting with listeners from all over the world who were also elated to feel like they were part of this huge party hosted by the most exciting, hilarious, warm personality I ever heard on the radio. This wasn’t “regular” radio. It was so magnetic, much different than anything else on the radio, and I never missed a single show.
As a fan, did you ever engage John on the air?
Eventually I had the courage to call the request line and act like I wanted to request a song. Instead, when John picked up, I asked how I could do what he does! He was more than likely frazzled and annoyed, but he was still nice enough to offer the advice, “Start at any radio station that will hire you on the air.” It was vague and aggravating advice to an impatient kid, but I took it.
Soon thereafter I was hosting a southern gospel show on an AM station out of a trailer. You can imagine how comfortable this teenage rave DJ felt there. But I was on the air on a real radio station instead of recording myself on cassette on my Radio Shack mixer in my bedroom. I concentrated on learning who I was as a human and trying to find ways to use the parts of my natural personality to create and craft my own sound. That was important to me because I knew the greats may use elements of their inspirations to create their sound, but they never sounded like a clone of anyone.
John and I remained friends and eventually I was able to move to Boston (then the home of OHP) and use my DJ skills to become the full time mixer for the show. Fast forward to 2004 when I was in Philadelphia, John asked me to take over the Sunday show and years later when John was ready to retire from OHP and I took over Saturdays as well.
In short, I was as passionate as I was annoying and persistent, wouldn’t take no for an answer, and kept my eye on the ball while trying to become the greatest talent I could be, and the hard work paid off.
OHP has always branded itself as THE Original Saturday Night party show for Top 40. How has the party itself evolved over the years?
The music and digital aspects have obviously evolved, but so has the imaging, thanks to the genius that is Jake Kaplan in LA.
I recently chose Jake to be the new voice of OHP and also produce the imaging for the show. He did an incredible job creating pieces that exude the excitement that audiences and programmers have come to expect from the show, while adding a cutting-edge, modern feel that is undeniable. Our digital team led by Kristin Verbitski, has worked tirelessly to improve and evolve our social and digital assets, including creating a podcast and YouTube channel that focuses on our unedited superstar interviews. Andy Denemark at United Stations has been the picture of a supportive EVP through all of this brand evolution.
But honestly the core values and philosophies that have always made the show different and compelling have remained intact, and are more important for radio now than ever, in an age where people can get music anywhere. The “showbiz” factor and idea of having people on the air requesting songs, putting their own friends and parties on the air, and exuding genuine excitement is paramount to creating an ultra-inclusive, larger-than-life EVENT that builds fans, not listeners.
In addition to OHP, you’ve spent time in quite a few markets. Which ones stand out the most and why?
Atlanta has a special place in my heart. It was my first major market back in 2001 when I arrived at 95.5 The Beat. I lived my life in this exciting city to the fullest (at times maybe a bit “too fullest!”). It was fun, but I also had the opportunity to be invited to sit in programming meetings with incredible people like Jeremy Rice, who was gracious enough to teach me how to interpret research and maximize clocks to put ourselves in the best position to win. I had my daughters in Dallas, so my time there meant so much to me on a personal level, but the real education in creating completely out of the box, take-no-prisoners radio that truly evoked the vibe of the city came in Philly.
You and I first connected while you were in Philly at Wired 96.5. Having grown up on Philly radio and working in it, Wired seemed to really connect with the city at the time. How much fun was that experience?
This was the stop that allowed me the opportunity to fully strive to be the type of radio personality and programmer I aspired to be. Working with Jerry Clifton and the late Bill Tanner was an education in “cookie-cutter sucks” every moment of every day. We were tasked with creating a number one station literally from the ground up by beating Q102 (WIOQ), which seemed like an impossible task.
In my interview with Jerry and Bill I knew this was not going to be the same old radio job. The renegade culture created in the halls bled onto the air. We hung out together and the camaraderie and feeling that we were empowered to do whatever we needed to make sure we truly emulated the gritty feeling of Philly was everything. Jerry pushed us to never ever do things the “regular way” and it was magical. It was also effective.
Philadelphia identified with the “break-the-rules” gritty sound our personalities put on the air every day. When Leo Baldwin (another Jerry Clifton student of radio) arrived as PD, we continued to evolve and push the limits. After much hard work and fun, we became #1. There was a party the first time we achieved that as we emptied the 5-gallon water coolers in the hall and replaced that water with strong margaritas.
I have to thank the Beasley Media Group for letting us have our creative freedom to do things like fly a plane with a banner in tow over Charlie Sheen‘s house in LA imploring him to call the radio station during the height of his “Tiger Blood” meltdown (it worked…he called…first on my show in PM Drive then my morning show Chio In The Morning the next day.) We threw intimate artist events money couldn’t buy access to. The wild ideas went on and on in non-traditional ways we tried to use to create passionate fans.
Nowadays, how’s the experience in Atlanta going hosting PM Drive on Star 94.1 as well as serving as Assistant Brand Manager for such heritage call letters?
This has been yet another experience so amazing I can hardly put it into words as it’s been another chance to work completely out of the confines of traditional formats.
When I arrived, the radio station had reached a place where the brand “Star 94” still had equity in the community, but it failed to own a music position that “owned a hill” or stood out. Then Brand Manager Jerry McKenna came on board, and Audacy along with market Manager Rick Caffey had the imagination and trust to let Jerry and I create our very own version of what could be considered a “rhythmic AC,” but with a custom curated playlist for the super-unique city of Atlanta. Bruno Mars, Blondie, Ludacris, Rick James, Britney Spears, Outkast, Calvin Harris…an unpredictable playlist of pop, hip hop, and dance feel good throwbacks.
We feel the origins of that particular variety of music work well together sonically, but there’s always the constant element of surprise. I’m proud to say that while having an absolute blast creatively, we have created a brand that is currently top 5 in our core demos of persons and women 25-54. Another example of being lucky enough to be empowered to do things differently and have the joy of watching it connect and win.
Speaking of entertaining, OHP has had the biggest and best artists in Pop music on the show. What’s the key to a great interview whether with a big star or an emerging artist?
Artist chats are one of my favorite parts of the job, and a part I put a lot of time into trying to perfect. When I do an interview, the first and most important thing for me is to make the artists feel comfortable so the walls come down and we can get to the business of letting the artists expose the humans behind the music.
We, of course, promote the music, but strive to not ask the cookie cutter questions they get in every interview. We don’t do uncomfortable tabloid questions (although we have been fortunate enough to have many of our interviews appear on pop culture outlets like TMZ). Some interviewers feel the way to accomplish this is to play wacky games, but I believe great interviewers do this by learning to LISTEN to their answers and respond instead of trying to always have the next funny line. That’s when the magic and connection happen. We want to create a safe, fun space where the artists feel comfortable and we strive to create a rapport with them, and I think we’ve accomplished that over the years.
How important is it to have a partner and fellow programmer Joey Breezy on OHP team?
Joe’s addition has been incredibly impactful and taken us to another level. His knowledge of music and his relationships with the labels are invaluable. Joe’s knack for identifying the songs the audience has true passion for, his expertise in music flow, and his knowledge of pop culture has helped evolve the show. He works tirelessly to help book our superstar guests every week and help create promotions, fly-aways, and secure prizes money can’t buy, and that our smaller market affiliates may normally not have access to. That includes our Virtual Meet And Greets where we have our artist’s most passionate fans meet and interview their favorite artists on Zoom that we both air on the show and post on our Open House Party YouTube channel. It doesn’t hurt that Joe is also a world-class talent that holds down the Sunday version of the show, and I’m fortunate to have also forged a close working and personal relationship with him.
Any job in radio is time consuming. What might we find Kannon doing off the clock that would surprise us?
I won’t give you the “I love to travel and try new restaurants in Atlanta” line. Everyone likes to do those things, and this isn’t a dating profile. I’m in school to get my pilot’s license, which has been a lifetime goal of mine. I love the Philadelphia Eagles (ferociously) and F1 racing. I’m intensely competitive so those things speak directly to my soul. Spending time with my girlfriend Nikki and my 2 daughters Ava and Charlotte is the most meaningful part of my life.
What’s goals are left on Kannon’s personal/professional hit list?
Star 94 just had the best book in many years, but we aren’t #1 in Atlanta yet. That’s the main professional goal I’m focused on at the moment. But I’m always striving to get Open House Party on as many imaginative top 40 stations that want to stand out on Saturday and Sunday nights and win consistently. I continue to refine my on-camera skills and video production abilities for YouTube and social, while working to be the most effective leader I can be for my teams. Personally, I want to complete my flight program, search for the meaning of ‘zen’ and to be the best father I can be to my girls.