Kevin Richards and Lou Roberts – How Albany DJs Met

In 1995, I was already working on my ninth year in Country Radio broadcasting.  Having worked at every small Country Radio station in the Albany Area, my eyes were on WGNA.

The journey began on Country 93.5 in Corinth, New York in 1986, followed by stints at WSTL 1410 in Glens Falls, My Country-WMYY in Schoharie, WBAR in Glens Falls, and CD Country in Albany.  While working at CD Country, I was hosting and promoting Country Dance events all over the Northeast, something I had started under WMYY.  Ironically, I was playing nightclubs and bars before I was even 21.

At the urging of friends, one night we decided to attend the competing station's country dance night, WGNA's 'Brother' Lou Roberts was hosting Country Night at Playfields inside the Holiday Inn Turf on Wolf Road in Colonie.  As a child, I had always hoped to work for WGNA, realizing how big and powerful it was on a national level in the Country Music industry.  Little did I know by meeting Lou Roberts at that dance night, the wheels would begin to spin in that direction.

Roberts, considered a local radio legend, was kind to point me in the right direction and recommend me to program director Fred Horton (remember 'Uncle Fred Horton'?). Horton, also a radio legend, immediately offered me a part time job, based on my already established success in the market. Soon I was hosting the Sunday Morning Hall of Fame, and then my own show, 'Cryin', Lovin', or Leavin'. After being moved around to afternoons and now mid-days, it's hard to believe that I'm still here with 4 national CMA award nominations for medium market personality, and one of those crystal trophies actually on display above my CD collection at home.

Friday night, April 6 Lou Roberts and I will unite to co-host a Spring Fling Country Dance Party at Danceland in the Latham Cirlcle Mall from 7-11pm. Since Lou Roberts was once a rock and roll disc jockey, he will spin the Rockin' Oldies of the 50s-70s from 9-11pm, while I'll be starting the evening from 7-9pm with Country Music.

For more information on Lou Roberts, click here.

For more information on Kevin Richards, click here.