The Unknown Morning Show

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana sit down with longtime East Texas radio personality and Mandee’s former colleague, Michael Gibson. 

From his roots in Lindale to meeting Garth Brooks in Nashville, Michael shares stories that span decades behind the mic. We talk about the magic of small-town radio, riding camels with Lisa Live, emceeing possum...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Mandee Montana and Chuck McKinley sit down with East Texas radio legend Lisa Wells, a woman whose “gift of gab” has powered a decades-long career in broadcasting. Lisa opens up about the moments that shaped her journey—from skydiving for morning show stunts and endorsing unlikely products to being live on-air during 9/11. 

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Mandee Montana and Chuck McKinley sit down with special guest Michael Storm to dive into the past, present, and future of radio. 

From programming and playlist curation to community engagement and tech tools like PlayoutONE and MusicMaster, Michael shares real-world insights from running his own station, Great FM. 

The trio also explores how radio i...

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In this lively episode, Chuck and Mandee dive into the unforgettable world of radio promotions — the creative campaigns and once-in-a-career moments that shaped their journeys. From the big events they witnessed to the promotions they helped bring to life, they share a behind-the-scenes look at how radio magic is made (and sometimes improvised!). Tune in for a fun, nostalgic ride through rad...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, we catch up with Chris Stuckey—a sports lover from Longview who made his way into radio and made the most of every mic drop. Though he didn’t come from a media background, his time on Sports Radio Live was packed with unforgettable moments: booking big-name guests like Mark Cuban and Tim Donaghy, co-hosting from his office phone, and yes—even losi...

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In this laid-back catch-up episode, Chuck and Mandee take a stroll down memory lane and reflect on the past year of The Unknown Morning Show. From unforgettable guest moments to behind-the-scenes chaos, they share what’s changed, what stayed weird, and why they keep hitting “record.” It’s part recap, part ramble, and all heart. Tune in for the nostalgia, the randomness, and maybe even a few ...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana dive into the recent severe weather that swept through East Texas and highlight the incredible work of local broadcast teams who kept the public informed and safe. From live coverage to behind-the-scenes dedication, they reflect on the legacy of storm coverage in the region and share personal stories from the stud...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana sit down with longtime East Texas broadcaster Matt Williams. From his early days owning KEES-AM 1430 in Gladewater to transforming KYZS 1490 into a powerhouse for talk and sports radio, Matt shares an insider’s look at the evolution of AM radio in East Texas. He reflects on changing formats, navigating ownership t...

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Bob Mauldin joins Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana for a fun-filled reunion on The Unknown Morning Show! From their early days in East Texas radio to today’s adventures in television, the trio takes a trip down memory lane with stories that are as heartfelt as they are hilarious.

Bob shares what’s new with the spring season of Expedition Texas, gives us the scoop on his current projects...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, hosts Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana sit down with radio veteran Kurt Gilchrist to explore his incredible journey through the airwaves. From his early days in Odessa and Lubbock to programming major stations in Houston, El Paso, and beyond, Kurt shares stories from over four decades in broadcasting.

As a senior program director at XM Satell...

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This week, we’re bringing you a fan-favorite replay while Chuck recovers from a tragic (but honestly, kind of hilarious) injury—courtesy of his beloved best friend, Prince. Yes, his dog’s leash somehow got the best of his right thumb… and, of course, he’s right-handed. Meanwhile, Mandee is off on a very important special assignment (we’re keeping it mysterious).

But don’t worry—we’ll be ...

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This week on The Unknown Morning Show, Trapper John Morris—aka “Trapper” from SiriusXM’s The Highway & Y2Kountry—joins Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana for an inside look at the world of country radio.

With 38 years in the industry, Trapper shares his journey from college radio at UNT to programming top country stations across Waco, Tyler, Memphis, New Orleans, Dallas, and Nashville...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, hosts Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana sit down with Michael Storm to talk all things radio—past, present, and future! They his career and time as an East Texas morning radio personality and programmer. Storm is back on the airwaves with 95.1 Great FM, bringing a fresh yet familiar sound to East Texas.

From his days at Mix 107.3, Star 105.9, and Z...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana sit down with Jared Jones, a rising star in sports broadcasting. Jared’s journey started as the Sports Director for Tyler Junior College’s The Drumbeat and has taken him all the way to running the Antler Sports Network, where he travels the Southwest to stream live athletics. As the current Broadcast Director for ...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck and Mandee sit down with the legendary Scott Gaines to talk about his incredible 38-year career in radio. From major market broadcasting to syndication and producing projects for a Nashville record label, Scott shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way. We also had a blast chatting with ...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck and Mandee sit down with the legendary Shawn Knight—a radio veteran with over 20 years of experience, a podcaster, voice actor, and an online student finishing his degree at Morehouse College. Shawn shares his journey from hosting morning radio to embracing new opportunities in media and education. They discuss the challenges of reinvention,...

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In this inspiring episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck and Mandee sit down with their friend and former broadcaster, Rhonda Parsons. From her early days growing up in Granada Hills, California, to her move to Tyler, Texas, Rhonda’s life has been filled with twists, turns, and an unwavering commitment to her faith and personal growth.

Rhonda shares her journey into radio broadcastin...

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Join Chuck and Mandee on the latest episode of the Unknown Morning Show as they bring you a flavorful conversation with special guest Blu Monday-Daniels! In this engaging interview, Blu takes listeners on a mouthwatering journey through the renowned CASI Chili Cook Offs, from the heart of East Texas all the way to the iconic chili ghost town of Terlingua. 

Tune in as they explore th...

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In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck and Mandee catch up with former colleague Kaleem Abdullah to dive into his dynamic career in radio. From his early days in Tyler to major markets like Dallas and Houston, Kaleem shares unforgettable stories, industry insights, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the radio world and the exp...