About Tom Clay

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IN THE NEWS

10 Questions with ...

Tom Clay

Local boy makes good, going from KSCB in Liberal, Kansas to KYSN Colorado Springs, WEEL in DC as youngster, then growing up with stops at KRBE in Houston, WHQT, Miami, B-93 Austin and Cox Radio, San Antonio, Currently residing in Beaumont, at AM 1300 KSET, Now known as FREEDOM 1300.

1. How did you get your start in radio? Why radio?

Local high school radio show "The Redskin Hour" on KSCB sounded like a lot of fun, and it beat sacking groceries at the Ideal Food Store.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

Making this radio thing work in the new paradigm. A need for local and live programming that makes a difference to the local listener, something unobtainable with just national syndication.

3. You've launched a new talker in Beaumont. How did this project come about? How does someone get a station off the ground as a stand alone am no less -- in this day and age?

HOW did this happen? Lawsuits and much gnashing of teeth. Really. Then we decided that since we had to build an AM we had to do something special with it. Local Talk sounded like a great idea. We found Jack Pieper hanging out at the local golf course, and then we spoke with others who eventually became our staff, and we all came to the decision that doing something special was what we wanted to do. We worked out deals that made it lucrative enough to gather up a staff of talented, experienced individuals that have a desire to make a difference.

4. How are you planning to differentiate yourself at KSET against your competitors, especially against an entrenched morning guy who's been there for decades?

Simple, we are willing to take on the local issues. Their morning guy, bless his heart, does what he does, and he has been doing it for years. We offer a fresh, different morning show in that we do far more news and information. . Simply put, we are local more than they are, and people can actually CALL IN and get on the air here.

5. You spent time in big cities before embarking on this project; how different, if at all, are you finding Beaumont from your prior stops? What's your take so far on the kind of city Beaumont is -- the people, the politics, the lay of the land?

Beaumont is the most conservative place I have ever lived, even more than the land of Sam Brownback and Reverend Phelps. That is NOT to say that it is backwards, far from it. But it is a city that has a lot of local pride, history and people that care about what goes on here. Even the Democrats are more conservative than most Republicans. Add to that the amount of rancor the local school board brings about, and the corruption that is rampant in the government, well you have a great pool of subjects to opine on. The flip side of that is for every church, there is a corresponding honky tonk, bar or nightclub. People do like to have a good time in the Golden Triangle, and I think that the economy is on the uptick in the future.

6. Who are your mentors, influences, and heroes?

First jock I ever remember hearing was J. Michael Wilson when he was on KOMA in Oklahoma City. I also remember hearing Charlie Tuna all the way back to Wichita, Kansas. Influences, oh, everybody. Admire in this business? Everybody that still has a job. Mentors? Jack Casey, Gregor Vaule, Steve Scott, Jeff Tyson and Mom.

7. What's the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?

Open mic while anchoring a 6pm TV newscast, calling the floor director scatological names while the bride walked down the aisle accompanied by my tirade..I do radio now.

8. Of what are you most proud?

My kids. My daughter is studying to be a chef in Miami, and my son is working for a sound and lights company in Tulsa. They are my heart and soul.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______________.

...massive infusions of coffee.

10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten?

You only have to do one thing well to win, and that is everything.