Hoptown This Morning – Tom Rogers & Kyle Rader
I’m Tom Rogers and you can hear me weekday afternoons from 3pm-5pm on WHVO. I am a graduate of Marion County High School, in Lebanon, Kentucky, GO KNIGHTS !!, (which happens to be located on US 68, just about 200 miles to the east), and then went on to graduate from Kentucky Wesleyan College and Murray State University.
I started out in radio doing Sunday mornings at WVJS-AM 1420 in 1979. While working for Owensboro on the Air, I worked nights and weekends on both WVJS-AM and WSTO-FM. I was also a production assistant for Cable 2 TV. I worked across town in Owensboro at WOMI-AM doing afternoons from 1983 to 1984. I worked in the old bank window at K-100 in dowtown Hopkinsville in the summer of 1983 doing afternoons. I returned to K-100 again in 1985 doing middays and operations.
It was in 1986 that I first began working at WKDZ-AM and WKDZ-FM.
From 1997 to 1998 I worked in Bardstown, Springfield, and Lebanon, as group General Manager for WLBN-AM, WLSK-FM, WAKY-FM, WOKH-FM, and WBRT-AM. I then received the opportunity to work in Princeton and Madisonville, as group General Manager for WAVJ-FM, WPKY-AM, WTTL-AM, WYMV-FM, and WWKY-FM, from 1998 to 2011.
I was able to return to WKDZ/WHVO in 2011 where I now make my home. I also oversee the operations of YourSportsEdge.Com.
You might have heard me in the past as the former play-by-play voice for Trigg County Wildcat football and basketball as well as the former play-by-play voice for Caldwell County sports.
I enjoy travel time and am a big fan of riding the rails, via Amtrak. I have taken train trips to Seattle, San Antonio, Austin, Flagstaff, Tuscon, and Denver. I am proud “Dad” to two adult daughters, and a “Pop Pop” to my twin grandsons. (And no, I do not spoil them. If you believe that one, I have some swampland I need to get rid of for my retirement fund.)
Somehow I still find time to coach the co-ed softball team for Southside Church of Christ, read David Baldacci, Vince Flynn, Brad Meltzer, and other political intrigue authors. Am pretty good at NBA2K on Playstation, and thoroughly hooked on Chicago PD, The Blacklist, Pardon the Interruption, and of course, The Voice. Love classic rock and have seen Journey, Styx (three times), Hall & Oates, Huey Lewis, Molly Hatchett, The Outlaws, Greg Kihn Band, Rick Springfield, Quarterflash, Starship, Night Ranger (twice), The Commodores, Steel Breeze, and The Beach Boys, all LIVE. Still hoping to catch Def Leppard at some point.
I bleed St. Louis Cardinal red, Pittsburgh Steelers black and gold, Kentucky Wesleyan purple, and love to go to Smashville for Predators action on the ice.
Kyle Rader
You have probably heard me called by the name of “Happy Kyle” the name Bill Booth gave me when I started with the Edge Media Group in 2011 as an intern. I am a born and raised Hopkinsville native and in 1988 I was crowned King Baby of the Western Kentucky State Fair. I graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 2005 where I was a big part of the choral and band Programs. I went on to Hopkinsville Community College and then Austin Peay State University where I graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Music.
When I am not at work you will find me living life to the fullest with my wife Courtney, daughter Charleigh, and our rescue dog Louie. We enjoy playing games, spending quality time with family and friends. and serving our community alongside our local church.
I am a huge sports fan and most importantly a UK fan as I was named after one of the greatest UK players of all time, Number 4 Kyle Macy. I also love the St. Louis Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans. I am very passionate and a big advocate for music and the arts in our community. My family and I find every opportunity to take in local music and theater performances at the Alhambra and our local marching bands on the football fields every fall. I love to sing and play many musical instruments like trumpet, piano and guitar.