The Shotgun Tom Kelly Collection
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Shotgun Tom Kelly, who succeeded The Real Don Steele in afternoon drive at KRTH-101 in Los Angeles for 22 years, has been one of San Diego's best known radio personalities and worked at KGB, KOGO, KFMB, KBZS and KCBQ.
His career spans over 40 years and included stints at KACY Oxnard, KAFY Bakersfield, KYOS in Merced and KFRC, San Francisco. "I love playin' oldies on the radio!" said Shotgun, in his first words on KRTH, September 18, 1997. Shotgun has been honored for his work in radio as Billboard Magazine's major market Air Personality of the Year. Shotgun is also the recipient of two Emmy Awards as the host of two children's television shows, "Words-A-Poppin" and "Kids Club". "This will be the last radio job of my career!" said Shotgun when he was hired at Oldies Radio K-EARTH 101. "Once you work at a station like K-EARTH 101, you don't need to go anywhere else". Shotgun also does voiceover work for clients nationwide at Shotgun Tom Productions. In the Summer of 2010, Shotgun organized the dedication of a permanent monument to KCBQ at the station's former transmitter site. On April 30, 2013, Stevie Wonder, KRTH PD Jhani Kaye and hundreds of fans and friends gathered in Hollywood, at the corner of LaBrea and Hollywood Boulevard, to honor Shotgun Tom Kelly with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. In the category of radio, it was the 2,946th star on the Walk of Fame. Here's a special page with exhibits all about this exciting event. We are delighted and honored to feature selections from Shotgun Tom Kelly's Collection here. Visit Shotgun on the web at http://www.shotguntomkelly.com. |
| KCBQ Monument Dedicated
On August 28, 2010, Shotgun Tom Kelly addressed a crowd of about 400 former station personalities and fans gathered for the dedication of a monument to legendary Top 40 station KCBQ, San Diego. “It was an amazing day,” said Shotgun, who organized the event. He believes it is the first time a radio monument exists that pays tribute to those who entertained the local community. “Most of the 400 people who attended were just fans who brought along station albums and surveys with the hopes of getting some autographs,” said Tom. The morning of the event, Shotgun promoted the event every half hour on local TV. SELECT-A-PICTURE!
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| The monument was built with donations from former air staffers, engineers and the family of former station owner Lee Bartell. Bartell had a vision to operate the station at 50,000 watts. The transmitter moved to Santee in the 1950s and 9416 Mission Gorge Road became the home of six 200-foot towers. |
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On March 27, 2015, Shotgun Tom Kelly was honored by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters with the Art Gilmore Career Achievement Award.
Shotgun Tom fondly remembers the late Art Gilmore. The great “Red Skelton Show” announcer was also the narrator of “Highway Patrol,” hundreds of Warner Brothers movie trailers, and many other radio and TV shows. Shotgun is proud to display the award with Art’s name on it.
Of course, a top-rated Southern California radio disc jockey has a popular bobble-head doll, and here we see one with Kerri Kasem, talk radio/TV host and daughter of the late, great Casey Kasem. She swore she is never without her “prized possession,” and went on to amuse attendees with several humorous “Shotgun Tom” stories.
Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters President Chuck Street promised luncheon guests there would be a surprise, and this was it: Emulating the guest of honor’s iconic “Shotgun Tom” trooper hat, each dais member was presented with a close replica, although he did confess they were made in China.
Members driving into the Sportsmen’s Lodge parking lot for the “Shotgun Tom” Kelly celebrity luncheon on March 27 were thrilled to see an actual antique Buick used in the TV series “Highway Patrol” on display with our honoree standing beside it. Shotgun later received the Art Gilmore Career Achievement Award, named for one of PPB’s founders who was also the announcer and narrator on that iconic TV series. (David Keeler photo)
[Description by Uncle Ricky for contributor Shotgun Tom Kelly.]
This video was produced by Jhani Kaye for presentation at the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2015. It’s an imaginative all-for-fun tribute to Shotgun Tom Kelly that includes some rare film and tape of Shotgun’s amazing career.
You’ll see Shotgun going to work at San Diego’s KGB in 1972, where he shows us how to “cue” a record; A clip from Words-A-Poppin, his Emmy award-winning children’s TV show, and his acceptance speech for that award. You’ll also see him at B-100 and KRTH, and hear him as the voice for America’s Most Wanted, and as an anonymous DJ in the major motion picture Deja Vu.
Shotgun received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 30, 2013, and that ceremony concludes this video about a remarkable radio performer, now recognized by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters.
[Description by Uncle Ricky for contributor Shotgun Tom Kelly.]
John Rabe of KPCC, Southern California Public Radio, prepared this Off-Ramp report about Shotgun Tom Kelly and his Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
Several of Shotgun’s cousins and a few friends are featured. Portions of remarks by Jhani Kaye and Stevie Wonder are included.
How come we like to hear these songs over and over? And who is Shotgun Jim Kelly? He’s a good old dude, man!
Prior to the unveiling of his Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, Shotgun Tom Kelly gave away replicas of his famous ranger hat, and official Star Pins commemorating the event on KRTH-FM.
This short clip, produced by Tony Pepper, features station jingles and promos with Charlie Van Dyke, and a winner.
“I love playin’ oldies on the radio!” said Shotgun, in his first words on KRTH, September 18, 1997. Shotgun has been honored for his work in radio as Billboard Magazine’s major market Air Personality of the Year.
It is SO GOOD to hear some current day straight-ahead fun oldies radio by a Top 40 veteran like Shotgun Tom Kelly! This short ‘check includes a great “Friday” production montage and oozes energy.
The Spirit is ALIVE in L.A!
Bobby McAllister, later to be better known as Shotgun Tom Kelly, interviews the late Wolfman Jack , in 1970 at KACY in Oxnard, prior to a local nightclub appearance. (Oxnard is a coastal community north of Los Angeles.)
File it under “Fun”. Shotgun Tom Kelly offered this 1974 sample of KCBQ, San Diego.
radio in the country”. This Salute to San Diego Radio was aired on KCBQ-FM in July, 1993.