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Jamie Hyatt

On The Air

I'm the Program Director of KSSK and Director of Programming/Operations Manager for all of Clear Channel Hawaii's radio stations. Because of my busy schedule, I've pretty much hung up the headphones after more than 25 years on the radio but I do fill in whenever I'm needed from time to time.

Contact Me

If you ever have a question or comment about the programming on KSSK or any of our other Clear Channel Hawaii radio stations, please feel free to email me at jamiehyatt@clearchannel.com or try me in the office at 808-550-9270.

Up and Down The Dial

In 1981, I started working in radio at KRCO-AM and KIJK-FM in Prineville, Oregon. My mom used to drop me off at work as I wasn't old enough to drive. The stations were Country on AM and Beautiful Music on FM. I worked part-time at the stations all through high school.

It was 1984 when I got my first full time position in radio at KXIQ-FM and KGRL-AM in Bend, Oregon. My main job was being the night-time DJ on KXIQ (Q-94). I attended Central Oregon Community College while working at the station. At the time, no one was hotter than Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince.

KSND in Eugene, Oregon (also my hometown) was the station that gave me my first Music Director and Afternoon Drive position under the name "Jammin' Jamie Hyatt." I worked with quite a talented group of people who included Dave Shakes, Elvis Medina (then Dan Michaels), Brian Burns, Ken Moultrie, Robb Holloway, Greg Valentine and the late Bwana Johnny among others. Those were crazy times that led to hanging out with the Bangles (I was in love with Suzanna Hoff), Van Halen, Eddie Money, Bonnie Raitt (she hit on my boss at an after party), Night Ranger, INXS, etc.

In 1988, after a brief stint in Richmond, Virginia at WVMX, I got my first Program Director job at Henry Broadcasting's KDON-FM in Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz, CA. I had a great team that went on to major market radio stations including Lisa St. Regis (then Lisa Foxx), Efren Sifuentes, Steve Wall (then Monterey Jack), Jennifer Wilde, Robb Holloway (again) and many others. Met artists like Stevie B, Cover Girls, Tone Loc, New Kids On The Block, etc. While there, we were one of the highest rated Top 40 stations in America and I got nominated for PD of the year.

It was after taking the station to #1 and making it one of the highest rated Top 40 stations in America too, I got promoted to National Program Director/CHR for Henry and transferred to KIKI-FM (Hot I94) in Honolulu while still overseeing KDON. I had an all star on air lineup of air personalities that went on to great things including Rory Wild (still mornings at KSSK sister station KIKI-FM/Hot 93-9), Scotty Blaisdell (now mornings at KSSK sister station KUCD-FM/Star 101.9), Lanai (now mornings at KSSK sister station KDNN-FM/Island 98.5), Kari Steele (now at Clear Channel sister station KBIG in Los Angeles) and Jimmy Da Geek. A personal highlight was hanging out with Paula Abdul (who I had a massive crush on at the time). She and I had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe and went to Bobby McGees afterwards.

After taking KIKI-FM to #1 in Honolulu, I was hired away by Edens Broadcasting to program KOY-FM (Y95) in Phoenix. I was blessed again with a great on air team that included Bruce Kelly, Maggie Brock, Bo Reynolds, Steve Douglas, Kelly Urich and Jamie White to name a few. It was a great time to be in Phoenix as the Suns had Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson and other stars to root for. The highlight of my time in Phoenix though was a massive concert I organized for the Life Foundation that boasted Wilson Phillips, TLC, Nia Peeples and Michael W Smith among others.

After a couple of years, I took a job offer from WLUM-FM (Hot 102) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where I learned about fish frys, Summerfest and Miller Beer. I got the opportunity to work with great talent again, this time including Dakota, BJ Barry, Frosty Stillwell, Jo Jo Turnbeaugh, Kelly Michaels and more. While there, Dan Jansen won the gold for the USA and Wisconsin went to the Rose Bowl. I got to hang with Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and the guys that recorded "Whoot There It Is!"

In 1994, I was hired to program the legendary KTFM-FM (Hot 102.7) in San Antonio. I worked there with Mike Beach, CC Cruz and The Janitor. I remember asking Tejano singer Selena's record label EMI-Latin to have her record some English songs to play on the station. Unfortunately, she was only able to record a handful of songs before she was tragically killed. I'll never forget that day in San Antonio.

During the summer of 1995, I returned to Honolulu to program KQMQ-FM. I got the chance to work with fun local radio personalities that included the late Cliff Richards, Ericka Engle, the late Wili Moku, Kutmaster Spaz and several others. I don't remember much from that time period but I do remember a lot of parties at World Cafe when it was at Restaurant Row.

From late 1997 until 2001, I worked for Jerry Clifton's KXME-FM (Xtreme Radio) in Honolulu. It was the wildest time of my life. And that's all I have to say about that.

In 2001, one week before 9/11, I came to work for Clear Channel's KUCD-FM/Star 101.9 (KSSK's sister station) as Program Director and Middays. I got the chance to work with Scotty B (Blaisdell) again as well as the one and only Hudson as well as Maleko. At one point, Star was the highest rated Modern Rock station in the USA. I started their Band Camp concerts and did loads of concerts and met many many stars in the format.

In late 2006, the winds of change hit Clear Channel Hawaii. KDNN-FM/Island 98.5 PD Fred Rico left for the mainland and I added programming duties for that station. Less than 48 hours later, then Director Of Programming/Operations Manager and KSSK PD Paul Wilson announced he was leaving too. It was then that VP/General Manager Chuck Cotton offered me the job I'd always dreamed of...Director Of Programming/Operations Manager of Clear Channel Hawaii and day to day Program Director of KSSK! What a thrill and an honor to work with such a professional staff of people that included the legendary Michael W Perry and Larry Price as well as too many other people to name (I'm afraid I'd leave someone out!).

So today, I program KSSK-FM, KSSK-AM and KDNN-FM/Island 98.5 and I oversee the program directors and programming on KHBZ-AM, KHVH-AM, KIKI-FM and KUCD-FM. Additionally, I oversee the programming on all four FM's HD stations that include the new HD Radio Free Hawaii and America's first 24 hour Reggae outlet, Roots Culture and two soon to be relaunched stations.

When I'm not busy with my stations, I love to spend time with my family that includes my beautiful wife Rae Ann and our two wonderful children, Nai'a and Hope. Much of my side of the family still lives in Oregon where I started in radio so many years ago including my mother Judy, my brother Rick and my sister Kim.

I hope you've read all of this in order to receive my much appreciated thanks for listening to KSSK. The station has been the #1 station in Honolulu for at least 30 rating periods in a row. It's a thrill to be a part of such a great group of people!

Thanks!

Links

I don't have much time to surf the net for recreation anymore but here's where I go when I get the time:

www.ksskradio.com

www.island985.com

www.hot939.com

www.star1019.com

www.khvh830am.com

www.khbz.com

www.google.com

www.myspace.com

www.mediabase.com

www.allaccess.com

www.hawaiiradiov.com

www.yahoo.com

Welcome to the new KSSKRADIO.COM

Thursday 06-05-2008 4:03pm HA

As the Program Director of KSSK, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for listening and for checking us out online.

We hope you like the new look of the site. There are a lot of great features that I hope will lead you to visit us often. IF you have comments or suggestions, please feel free to email me at jamiehyatt@clearchannel.com.

Thanks so much for listening!

Jasmine Trias and Society Of Seven LV visit KSSK

Monday 06-09-2008 1:22pm HA

(l-r) Jamie Hyatt, Larry Price, Sweetie Pacarro, Lani Misalucha, Jasmine Trias,
Michael W Perry and Kathy With A K

Hey! I met Colbie Caillat!

Monday 06-09-2008 12:59pm HA

Colbie dropped by the KSSK studios to visit with Michael W Perry and Larry Price. I convinced her to let me get my picture taken with her next to the US flag in the KSSK studio. She was super nice and stunning in person.

Hanging With The Legendary Konishiki!

Monday 06-09-2008 1:16pm HA