Frost Advisory

Frost Advisory #805 – The Things We Think Are Important: A Lesson From The Game Of Golf

The frosty weather this week in Florida (it was 25 in Orlando this morning) gave me a hankering for getting back out on the golf course.

So, I met buddy Charlie to give me a golf lesson. He’s a really good golfer and I’m not, although I do have rather nice looking golf shoes, if I may say so myself. When I arrived at the driving range Charlie quickly handed me off to the golf pro, Lee, with a cynical “he can help you more than I can” quip. In only one hour Lee improved my golf swing significantly.

Continue reading →
Tommy Kramer Tip

Tommy Kramer Coaching Tip #659: Steve Kelly

In the last tip, I talked about one of my main mentors, the great Larry Ryan, in my hometown of Shreveport.

Another person on that same staff at Top 40 “blowtorch” KEEL back in the day was a guy named Steve Kelly.

Steve was doing middays at KEEL, had a fantastic voice, and was a wonderful Production man. (You’ve no doubt heard Steve’s voice many, many times on national spots and hundreds of concert promos. He eventually became President and Creative Officer of Bill Young Productions – for over 30 years now.)

I had started on the all-night show, midnight to 6am, and for a long time, I was only allowed to dub commercials into the system – which Steve showed me how to do. He then began to use me on two-voice spots, usually as a character voice. Little by little, he fed me more tips on how to do polished Production.

Decades later, I still remember Steve’s incredible guidance and patience. And I ended up doing literally hundreds of commercial spots and promos, nationally-aired PSA’s, writing and producing jingles, and winning dozens of awards I could have never envisioned when I was just a duckling, paying rapt attention to whatever Steve showed me.

Here’s the point: you should want to work with people who are more skilled than you are, and LEARN from them.

If that’s not the environment that you’re currently in, you might want to take a look at how you can change it.

– – – – – – –
Tommy Kramer
Talent Coach
214-632-3090 (mobile)
e-mail: coachtommykramer@gmail.com
Member, Texas Radio Hall of Fame
© 2026 by Tommy Kramer. All rights reserved.

Frost Advisory

Frost Advisory #803 – What Happens Between The Songs, Part Two

On last week’s show I shared how our format is the most dependent on what happens between the songs for its success. That perspective is rooted in the immutable truth that all formats are defined by one of two things; hits and stars.

Since CCM doesn’t have either (at least to those listeners that are new – the basis of all potential growth – familiarity must be created between the songs. That’s where strategic themes, powerful branding, emotional connection, and compelling talent can transform a radio station’s connect to its fan base.

So, if what happens between the songs is so critical…

Continue reading →
Frost Advisory

Frost Advisory #802 – What Happens Between The Songs

If you’ve been eavesdropping on these Frost Advisories over past 800 weeks you’ve likely sensed some reoccurring themes. Hopefully you’ve seen some big ideas that can help transform a station.

Maybe you’ve read some insights on which strategic concepts are vital to success. Candidly, some are ideas that I didn’t fully understand as a novice to the format 25+ years ago. Experience is a great teacher.

This week’s Frost Advisory drills down into one of those key concepts.

Continue reading →
Frost Advisory

Frost Advisory #801 – A Good Time To Remember The Basics: A New Year’s Message

The beginning of a new year is a good time to review the basics. For instance, at my church our pastor takes the first two Sundays of each year to restate the purpose and vision of the church. Twice a year may not sound like a timely enough reminder but how many radio station share their purpose AT ALL? Fitness clubs and diet plans often base their marketing on people’s desire to return to the basics and embrace new habits.

A simple truth is that there are only two distinct elements to programming a radio station.

Continue reading →
Tommy Kramer Tip

Tommy Kramer Coaching Tip #656: Kids

If you accept the old saying that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” then it’s my firm belief that the way to a woman’s heart (on the air) is through her kids.

So if you target women, trust that even if she doesn’t have kids, someone else in her family does, or at least one of her closest friends does. And, everyone has a story to tell; it’s “common ground subject” #1.

Continue reading →