‘Shotgun Tom’ Kelly shares tales of Southern California radio’s heyday in new memoir

Last week I had the first in a series of radio-related book reviews, something I thought could be used as a gift guide for those in your life who love radio. Perhaps you. This week it’s Tom Irwin’s turn.

When he was just a young boy, little Tommy Irwin knew exactly what he wanted to do in life … play hit music on the radio. He was just 10 years old at the time.

“I even remember the first time I actually put it into words,” he writes, going on to tell the story of his Catholic school upbringing and how his stated life’s goal didn’t sit too well with his teacher Sister Mario. At least at first.

And so begins the journey of Irwin — better known to legions of radio and television fans as “Shotgun Tom” Kelly — in his just-released book, aptly named “All I Wanna Do is Play the Hits,” available in softcover, hardcover, and audiobook at stores including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Kelly is truly one of radio’s best friends. He has a mind that can recall even the most minute details of an event, enjoys telling stories and hearing radio trivia from others, and loves both his listeners and colleagues alike. I grew up listening to him on KCBQ in San Diego in the early 1970s and finally got to meet him in person when he moved to our own KRTH (101.1 FM), succeeding (Kelly refuses to use the word “replacing”) the late “Real” Don Steele in the afternoon drive shift.

The book begins even before he was born in 1949, giving some background on his family living at the time in Nebraska and moving to San Diego in 1945. One story tells of his Dad in the position of engineer on the train that took President Harry Truman from Los Angeles to San Diego … meeting him in person as Dad tried to go home after his duties were done and running into Truman himself, who wanted a break from the crowds and ditched the Secret Service agents, at least for a while.

The detail provided throughout is impressive — the book reads like a story being told in first person. How he met his first radio star — KOGO’s Frank Thompson — at a remote broadcast, how he started his bedroom radio station — broadcasting to his friend’s room across the street, how he landed his first real radio job, and more, it’s all here.

And it’s not just all roses … he details the events of setting up a “Tonight Show” set in his garage (“long before Kramer did it on Seinfeld,” Kelly told me) and later having 750 videotapes confiscated as part of a murder investigation (no connection was found!), and his bout with addiction, from which Kelly proudly proclaims that he is now ”40 years clean and sober.”

The majority of it is fun, of course, and chronicles his move to stations throughout the area, from San Diego legends KGB and KCBQ, to Phoenix’s KRIZ, back to San Diego’s KCBQ and B-100 and eventually the move to KRTH and finally SiriusXM satellite radio, where he still plays the (‘60s) hits every afternoon today.

He mentions his short time at KCBQ-FM in the early 1990s, where he played “modern oldies” — hits from the late 1970s and ‘80s — but for some reason doesn’t elaborate on it. This is unfortunate, as this format was years ahead of its time … KRTH, KOLA (99.9 FM) and many other “classic hits” stations basically use that “modern oldies” formula now.

And then there’s the star: the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which he was awarded in 2013.  Kelly’s star is located right next to Steele’s … a fitting spot, in my opinion, as both feature(d) high-energy presentations and both truly love(d) radio.

It’s a fun ride throughout his life and career, delving into his private life, vices, interests and hobbies. Photos are available throughout as are QR codes that link to video and audio files related to the topic at hand … the Walk of Fame ceremony, an episode of “Words a Poppin’,” the raid of his house, and even videos and air-checks of some of the radio stations he worked at. Check out the hair styles of the characters involved at B-100 … worth the cost of the book just for that.

His infectious, positive outlook on life is found throughout the book. And unlike some who do a good job faking it, his love of his career and especially his listeners is genuine. “I remember the first time I met Frank Thompson,” he told me. “He didn’t treat me like a little kid; he acted as if I was the most important person in the world. I always remembered that, and I have tried to do the same thing for my own listeners. Every one is important; every one is a friend.”

I don’t think anyone has more close friends than Kelly. And you see why in his book. Written with the help and guidance of longtime friend and personality Neil Ross, it is fun, engaging, and entertaining.

Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email rwagoner@socalradiowaves.com