Shows
The Unknown Morning ShowUMS - Season Finale and Summer Break PlansWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.After more than 50 episodes in the first season of The Unknown Morning Show, it's time to press pause for the summer. Chuck and Mandee are so grateful to every single guest who shared stories, laughs, and real talk — it's made this season unforgettable.In this episode, they reflect briefly on how far we’ve come, the career pivots they’ve made, and what might be brewing for Season Two (spoiler: it could look a little different 👀). They’re dreaming, recharging, and leaving room for creativity.Don’t...2025-06-0603 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 53 - Michael GibsonWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 festivals, and the joy of simply connecting with listeners between songs. Whether you love clas...2025-05-231h 31The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 52 - Lisa "Live"We want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2025-05-161h 51The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 51 - Michael Storm ReturnsWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 is adapting to corporate consolidation, AI disruption, and digital burnout. Plus, hear fun throwbacks like Touch A Truck and personal stories fr...2025-05-091h 01The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 50 - Replay - Promotions: The Stories You Didn’t Hear On-AirWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 radio history, creativity, and the moments that left a lasting impact.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee....2025-05-0231 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 49 - Chris StuckeyWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 losing a bet that left him with red hair. Chris also shares what it was like contributing to Mav...2025-04-251h 06The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 48 - State of The ShowWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 hints about what’s next.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Suppo...2025-04-2034 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 47 - Severe Weather BroadcastsWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 studio. Tune in to hear how East Texas broadcasters continue to rise to the challenge when the skies turn dark.Support The...2025-04-1128 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 46 - Matt WilliamsWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 transitions, and hosting his own morning show on 99.3 Talk FM — where Chuck was once his producer. Tune in for stories, history, and plenty of behi...2025-04-0455 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 45 - Bob MauldinWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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, and reflects on the wild ride of working in media. Expect laughter, nostalgia, and...2025-03-281h 04The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 44 - Kurst GilchristWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 Satellite Radio and later SiriusXM, Kurt played a pivotal role in shaping the...2025-03-211h 04The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 43 - "Rewind" Kenny SmithWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 back next week with a brand-new interview! In the meantime, enjoy this throwback conversation with...2025-03-142h 14The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 42 - Trapper John MorrisWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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. We dive into how country radio discovers new tale...2025-03-081h 03The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 41 - Michael StormWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 Z100, to his latest venture with Storm Broadcasting, Michael Storm has left his mark on the industry. Tune in...2025-03-011h 08The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 40 - Jared JonesWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 UT Tyler’s Patriot Talon, Jared shares his passion for journalism, the behind-the-scenes of sports coverage, and the grind of buildi...2025-02-211h 01The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 39 - Scott GainesWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 his son, Landry, at the end of the episode—don’t miss his special appearance!📧 Guest Contact: Scott Gaines...2025-02-141h 28The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 38 - Shawn KnightWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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, the power of motivational storytelling, and the exciting future of The Shawn Knight Show Podcast.With his signature humor and op...2025-02-0754 min
Celebrating WomenHelp Me Rhonda: A Broadcaster’s Journey of Resilience, Reinvention, and FaithSend us a textWelcome to the first crossover episode of the Celebrating Women Podcast!ICYMI: Mandee has a second podcast project where she teams up with her radio mentor, Chuck McKinley. Their most recent episode was so inspiring that Mandee had to share it with the CWP family. We hope you enjoy this inspiring episode of The Unknown Morning Show, where 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...2025-02-0459 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 37 - Rhonda ParsonsWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 broadcasting at just 15 years old, her career highlights at KVNE and Sunny 106.5, and her courageous battle with colon cancer in...2025-01-3154 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 36 - Blu Monday-DanielsWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 the rich traditions, fiery recipes, and local anecdotes that give each chili a unique East Texas flavor. Whether you’re a c...2025-01-2450 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 35 - Kaleem AbdullahWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.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 experiences that shaped Kaleem’s journey.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee....2025-01-171h 25The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 34 - Mobile DJ Memories ReplayWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.In this special replay episode of The Unknown Morning Show from August 30, Chuck and Mandee dive into a treasure trove of mobile DJ stories. They share heartfelt and humorous memories from past gigs, giving listeners a taste of the high-energy world of mobile DJing. Enjoy this unique look back as we bring back the engaging conversation that originally aired before our short winter break.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the sh...2025-01-1030 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 33 - Reid KerrWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee sit down with their longtime friend, Reid Kerr, in this nostalgic episode of The Unknown Morning Show. Together, they reminisce about the glory days of Sports Radio Live, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and unforgettable moments from their time in radio. From hilarious mishaps to memorable interviews, the trio reflects on how the world of radio and TV has evolved over the past 15-20 years. Whether you're a fan of East Texas sports broadcasting or just love a good trip down memory lane, this e...2025-01-031h 40The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 32 - Pat ZipsWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.In this episode of The Unknown Morning Show, Chuck and Mandee sit down with longtime account executive Pat Zips to explore the ins and outs of the industry. With years of experience and countless stories, Pat shares her insights. Whether you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes of broadcasting or simply love hearing from seasoned pros, this episode delivers a blend of wisdom, humor, and inspiration. Don’t miss this engaging conversation!Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Su...2024-12-2750 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 31 - JR SchumannWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee visit with former colleague and friend, J.R. Schumann about his radio career and what he's doing now. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-12-201h 23The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 30 - Paul B Walker, Jr.We want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with Paul B Walker, Jr. about his broadcast career and what it's like to work in a small village in Alaska.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-12-1439 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 29 - Myke WilkersonWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with Myke Wilkerson. He's co-hosted The Cologne Podcast with his best friend, Ryan, for the past 4 years. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-12-061h 28The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 28 - Luscious IceWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee connect with Lusicious Ice. He's a former radio personality in Tyler and Houston, TX and Philadelphia, PA. We talk about his radio and mobile DJ career. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-11-291h 02The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 27 - Roger GrayWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee talk with veteran radio and television broadcaster, Roger Gray. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-11-221h 19The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 26 - Carleen Dark-BaysWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee visit with Carleen Dark-Bays about her career in broadcast media. She's lived and worked in Texas and California on both radio and television.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-11-1548 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 25 - Lonnie JohnsonWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with account executive, Lonnie Johnson. Johnson has been with Gleiser Communications for a number of years. He formerly co-hosted "The Car Show" with David Erwin and now hosts "In Focus" a community affairs program on KTBB. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Buy Me a CoffeeSupport The Unknown Morning Show when you buy Chuck and Mandee a coffee.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I...2024-11-081h 25The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 24 - The Original LouWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with the Original Lou from KYKX's 'Larry and Lou' show. They were one of the first man and woman morning show teams in Texas. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-11-0147 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 23 - Doc DeasonWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with Doc Deason about his career in media and what he's doing now. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-10-251h 42The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 22 - Jeff EvansWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with Jeff Evans. Jeff is now in Nashville after a stint in Cincinnatti, Ohio, and 20 years in East Texas. Hear how he got his start in radio and stories from throughout his career. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-10-181h 29The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 21 - Murry CamperWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with IT specialist, Murry Camper, about working together for Waller Broadcasting, Access 1 and what he's doing now. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-10-111h 21The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 20 - John MooreWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with East Texas Radio Legend, John Moore.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-10-041h 08The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 19 - Talking SNL - Saturday Night LiveWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat about some of their favorite SNL sketches, moments and cast members over the years. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-09-2729 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 18 - Melissa KiserWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Mandee and Chuck visit with KTBB News Anchorl, Melissa Kiser about her longevity at KTBB and how she got started in radio. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-09-2054 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 17 - YouTube Down the Rabbit holeWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Sometimes things don't go as planned. This is one of those things. Chuck and Mandee had a plan, and it veered off track. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-09-1352 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 16 - Kenny SmithWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Mandee and Chuck visit with longtime friend and former colleague, Kenny Smith about his broadcast career. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-09-062h 13The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 15 - Mobile DJ StoriesWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee share stories from mobile DJ gigs over the years.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-08-3030 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 14 - Bryan HoustonWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Mandee and Chuck chat with East Texas Broadcast legend, Bryan Houston about his career in radio, television and what he's doing now.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-08-231h 23The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 13 - Marvel-ous MomentsWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Mandee and Chuck chat about their favorite Marvel movies, shows and characters. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-08-1638 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 12 - Lucky LarryWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with longtime ETX Broadcaster, Lucky Larry. We hear about how he got started in radio, the transistions in his career and meaningful milestones. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-08-091h 00The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 11 - Promotions, the Favorites and Not So FavoritesWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee discuss radio promotions over the years. The big ones they've witnessed and those they have been a part of throughout their careers. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-08-0231 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 10 - Corinna RuizWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Mandee and Chuck chat with their friend and former colleague, Corinna Ruiz, about her radio career in East Texas. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-07-2648 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 9 - Three QuestionsWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee tackle Three Questions:(Yes, they are a bit random)1-What would you do if you could change careers or had to?2-Favorite superhero and why?3-What scared you most about "The Wizard of Oz". The Witch, Flying Monkee or the Wizard. Because we know the lies of the Wizard represents the lies of most politicians on their people.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the...2024-07-1935 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 8 - Dave MorelandWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee chat with Texas Radio Hall of Fame member, Dave MorelandSupport The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-07-121h 01The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 7 - Ted LassoWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee talk pop culture, specifically their appreciation for Ted Lasso. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-07-0533 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 6 - Rodd Wayne's Broadcast Story Part 3We want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-06-2834 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 5 - Rodd Wayne's Broadcast Story Part 2We want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-06-2132 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 4 - Rodd Wayne's Broadcast Story Part 1We want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee visit their long time friend and colleague, Rodd Wayne. Rodd grew up in the Dallas area and found broadcasting at an early age. Hear stories from his time in Dallas, his service in the military and what brought him to East Texas.Look for Parts 2 and 3 in coming weeks!Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-06-1431 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 3 - GearWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee talk gear. What mics they like and beyond.Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-06-0728 minThe Unknown Morning ShowUMS 2 - Chuck McKinleyWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck and Mandee continue their origin stories and talk shop about Chuck's start in the business and how we came to Tyler. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-05-3150 min
The Unknown Morning ShowUMS 1 - Mandee MontanaWe want to hear from you! Send us a Text.Chuck McKinley and Mandee Montana discuss how they met and get into how Mandee got her start in radio. Support The Unknown Morning Show when you buy us a cup of coffee.Support the show2024-05-2438 min