Kevin Slaten has bantered about sports in his sledgehammer style that is unique to this market off and on for more than three decades across many radio stations — including six stints at KFNS.
But he has been in the “off†radio mode since July, when his midday show — as well as all other local programming — was eliminated at KFNS (590 AM) amid financial woes. Nonetheless, he has continued to do the broadcast/podcast on his website () in addition to conducting a program that tackles politics from a highly conservative viewpoint.
And now he’s about to return to terrestrial radio — albeit on a station that doesn’t reach all of the St. Louis area but can be heard in parts that include the southern and western regions.
Slaten’s programs will continue to be available on his website (politics from 7-9 a.m., sports from 2-4 p.m. weekdays) and as of Monday, his sports fare also will air on KSGM (980 AM). That station’s studios are in Ste. Genevieve, approximately 60 miles south of the Gateway Arch, and its transmitter in Brewer, Missouri — about 17 miles farther south.
People are also reading…
But he won’t have to go Ste. Genevieve to conduct his sports broadcasts, instead doing his talking from a studio in his St. Charles County home or at a public location such as a restaurant or bar when he does “remote†programs.
“That would have been a deal breaker,†he said of having to make a daily trek south.
Nonetheless, Slaten being on a rural station whose meal ticket is playing classic country music seems like a strange match — at least on the surface. But there is an explanation.
“We’re a typical small-town radio station and very proud of the music we play,†KSGM program director Scott Hines said. “But we also have people (listening) who love sports.â€
He had been considering adding sports talk to the mix and, with Slaten available, is making the move.
“Everybody knows Kevin,†Hines said. Adding him is “better than going with national shows. Kevin will bring a mix of things to the proverbial table.â€
Among those elements is outspokenness, especially with his sometimes biting critiques of area teams and personnel.
“That’s part of what I like about it — edgy,†Hines said. “I think he’ll spark (discussion) on both sides.â€
The Cardinals’ recent announcements regarding management and a change in philosophy certainly have created plenty of fodder for that.
In the modern media landscape, traditional print and broadcast outlets have lost oomph, and AM radio certainly is in that category as podcasts have soared. Slaten said he’s adding radio to his delivery options in order to help Kevin Russell, a friend who is general manager of KSGM owner Donze Communications.
“It’s not that important to me†to return to radio, Slaten said. “But Kevin Russell called and asked me if I’d be interested in helping him launch some sports programming. He’s helped me out in the past with some things.â€
So the deal was struck, and Slaten soon will be talking on the radio again, now at age 70.
“I don’t have to do it, but I enjoy it. It keeps you in touch with what’s going on. I still love doing it; I feel like I’m 25,†he said, adding he likes to associate with young people. “I enjoy staying active.â€
But he wasn’t very active for a stretch early this year while he was recovering from a serious auto accident. It occurred on a snowy day on a slick road in St. Charles County, in a collision between his vehicle and a pickup truck.
Slaten suffered a broken wrist and forearm, multiple fractured ribs and abdominal hematomas. He also had torn ligaments in a thumb, a torn knee meniscus and facial discoloration from being hit by airbag.
“But that kept my head from hitting the steering wheel,†Slaten said, adding that a hand surgeon eventually told him that he had “the most broken body I’ve ever seen†from an accident survivor.
But he has recovered, saying he is playing golf again after going to physical therapy on a nearly daily basis for four months.
“Praise God everything has healed,†he said. “Things are good.â€