It’s hard for small, understaffed radio stations to cover all the bases. Many have only one live show, with everything after the morning show voice-tracked. (And sometimes, mornings are also VT.)

But what if a tornado or a huge thunderstorm suddenly poses a danger?

Here’s a solution: if you haven’t done this already, work out a deal with a local TV meteorologist to do your weather, and update the forecast when necessary. Give the TV station a sponsorship mention. They’ll get at least 365 mentions a year – for no money!

If listeners don’t trust you to be up to date and help them, then they’ll go somewhere else. Plus, an affiliation with a local TV station is a bonus for your radio station. Again, for no money. (The magic words.)

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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.

I’ve written about this before, but the murder of the English language is still prevalent. So…

“It was just between He and I.”

NO. “It was just between him and me.” (Object of the preposition. You can Google it if you never learned it.)

Why does it matter? Because sounding undereducated is not a plus. Intelligent people want to hear other intelligent people talk. When you make basic grammar gaffes, it erodes that connection.
And it’s very possible that lack of correct speech will keep you from getting a job you want. (I once had to let a morning show Producer go because his posts online and in social media were just downright embarrassing. I did find him another job, however, with an even better salary and a patient Program Director who would take the time to help him.)

Look, I don’t want you to speak “the King’s English,” but let’s at least sound like we passed the 7th grade.

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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.

Starting out a career in radio can be daunting. So let me help you with two foundational thoughts:

1. Learn the Basics. If you’re not sure what they are, ask the best talent on the station or the Program Director what they are (and why).

2. Be yourself as much as you possibly can. Trying to adopt other air talents’ strengths probably won’t work for you. And why be a clone anyway?

Here’s what I think is a good example: Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant studied every move Michael Jordan had. But, he didn’t have “the claw” – Jordan’s giant right hand that could control the basketball like it was a baseball.

However, Bryant took Jordan’s mindset, and added to that a skill all his own: He was a much better outside shooter than Michael.

Jordan’s still the greatest, but if he’s #1, then Kobe’s #1A. You can be that good, too.

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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.