Bob Kevoyian was a giant. long time co-host bob and tom show He spent more than 30 years with Tom Griswold building one of the most successful franchises in radio history until his retirement in 2015.
On Friday, Mr. Kevoin passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer.
He was, without a doubt, a legend in the mediumship world. You might think there’s nothing to learn from people who make a living laughing on the air, but you’d be wrong. Here are three lessons every radio talent should learn from Bob Kevoyian’s life and career.
Vulnerability creates connections
Laughing is one of the most vulnerable acts a human being can perform. It’s an outward expression of emotion, a window into what moves you, what pleases you, what you find really interesting. Bob Kevoyan did that every day, and listeners loved him for it.
One of radio’s greatest advantages over any other medium is the ability to get listeners to open up and be drawn into your world. It’s inherently intimate, and vulnerability makes it even more intimate.
After Kevoan’s death, it was best captured on social media by Jake Querrey of Indianapolis’ 107.5 The Fan. There are two sounds that are clearly connected to Indianapolis, he wrote: the roar of the Indianapolis 500 engines and Bob Kevoyan’s laughter.
It’s a legacy. It’s proof that when you want to show the real you, listeners don’t just listen, they remember you for decades.
Find your lane and commit to it
bob and tom show We didn’t build a loyal national following by trying to be all things to all people. They found their path – humor – and went all in on it.
Over time, the effort grew into a business. It became a platform for brands, touring shows, comedians, and the cornerstone of morning radio for millions of listeners.
Entertainment comes in many forms, and you don’t have to be a comedian to entertain. But you need to find your niche. Listeners aren’t looking for information they can’t find anywhere else. They’re in tune because you’re offering them something they can’t get anywhere else.
bob and tom They understood that early on, and their careers reflect that.
Know when to walk away
This may be the hardest lesson, but perhaps the most important. Bob Kevoyian retired from the show that still bears his name more than a decade ago.
There was no need for that. He could have continued to show up, keep his job, and keep getting paid. However, he chose not to do so. He wanted to enjoy what was left of his life in his own way.
So many people in the radio industry struggle with their identity outside of the media. They tell themselves they can’t exist without a microphone in front of them. Kevoan proved that wasn’t true.
It takes real courage to walk away from what you have built. In fact, it takes much more courage than just staying put. Riding off into the sunset is not a failure. In some cases, that may be the wisest course of action.
Bob Kevoin was 75 years old. He leaves behind a legacy built on laughter, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to entertaining those who greet him in the morning. Radio has lost something good. The least we can do is make sure his lessons stick.
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Garrett Searight is a news editor at Barrett Media, writing biweekly industry features and a weekly column. He joins Bullet Media after 10 years leading several radio brands and five years in local television. In addition to his work at Bullet Media, he is also the radio play-by-play voice for Northern Michigan University Hockey. Contact Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
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