Twenty eight broadcast professionals will come to the mountaintop to teach as seventeen students come to learn during the 6^th annual Kellar Radio Talent Institute on the campus of Appalachian State University, July 9^th through 18th.

The Kellar Radio Talent Institute is an intense 10 day curriculum that has led students to jobs in the industry or a related field and many are now working professionally at CNN, Entercom, Clear Channel, CBS, Beasley, Curtis media, Greater Media……  and in positions ranging from traffic, on air, sales, promotions and interactive…throughout the Carolinas and from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

“Most importantly,  says Dan Vallie, Founder and Director of the Kellar Radio Talent Institute, “with 7 out of ten of these students to date starting their careers in broadcasting or a related field, we are developing the next generation of broadcasters. The students come with enthusiasm and passion for the business and its very impressive how industry professionals sacrifice their time to come to the campus to teach sessions and give back to the industry.”

Kellar Radio Talent institute Founder Dan "Vallie" Hill answering questions during a session.

This year, Allen Shaw, President/CEO of Centennial Communications, opens the Institute with the “Getting in, Becoming an Entrepreneur” session. Phil Zachary President of Curtis Media closes ten days later with “Now is the time to start thinking like a Pro”

Industry pros leading the sales sessions this year include Trip Savery, Director of Sales, Greater Media Charlotte; Alex Mctighe National Sales Manager, Curtis Media Group Raleigh; Gary Weiss, Regional VP fo Radio One in Raleigh; and Gary Fisher, Owner of Equity Communications in Atlantic City, NJ. They will teach the RAB sales modules that lead to each student becoming RAB certified as Radio Marketing Professionals.

Teaching the air talent and production sessions include Steve Reynolds of the Reynolds Group; Don Anthony from Morning Show and Talk Radio Boot camps; John Hancock, WBT Greater Media Charlotte, DZL, 106.5 The End, Clear Channel Charlotte; Arroe Collins, Production Director, Clear Channel Charlotte; Dave Aiken, WKZL and ROCK 92, Greensboro Winston Salem, Tias Shuster, PD B93.7 & Magic 98.9, Entercom Greenville-Spartanburg SC.

Programming  and promotions sessions are led by John Reynolds of KISS/K104.7 CBS Charlotte; Jack Daniel, 106.5 The End, Clear Channel Charlotte; Carl East, WBT, Greater Media Charlotte, Bruce Wheeler and Jason Goodman, WKZL & Rock 92, Greensboro Winston Salem; and Keaira Huffman, Entercom Radio, Greenville-Spartanburg SC.

Interactive sessions are being led this year by Jonathan Mauney, Director of Interactive Media, Greater Media Charlotte, Patrick Sills, Digital Program Director of Clear Channel Charlotte; and Danny Highsmith, Regional VP, Beasley Broadcast Group will coach the students on how to adjust from the college level to the pros.

Students gain invaluable experience while participating in the Kellar Radio Talent Institute. Pictured here, a student behind the mic at Performance Racing Network.

“Two Guys Named Chris”, the highly ranked morning show of Rock 92 Greensboro Winston Salem, will do their morning show live on Friday morning with the students as the live radio audience.

Mick Mixon play by play announcer of the NFL Carolina Panthers, Doug Rice, President and Voice of Performance Racing Network and Scott Lauer Play by play announcer of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats will anchor the sports broadcasting day for the students.

The Kellar Radio Talent Institute is named for former broadcaster Art Kellar who gave $500,000 through the Kellar Family Foundation to help create the Institute to bring young people into the industry. Art founded EZ Communications in 1970, and merged with American Radio Systems in 1996, which later sold to CBS. 

For the third year in a row the Institute will receive partial sponsorship from the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters, both financially and in with Board members committing their time to teach sessions. The NCAB is widely recognized as one of the top associations for broadcasters in the nation in terms of legislative victories, education, services, benefits and legal assistance.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, Appalachian State University offers a challenging academic environment, energetic campus life and breathtaking location. Appalachian enrolls 17,000 students and offers more than 140 undergraduate and graduate majors. The university is located in Boone NC and is one of 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system.