We recently connected with Keegan Lucas and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Keegan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Passion, hard work and a willingness to keep learning & evolve.
Six years ago, I remember I made the statement, “oh no, I have no desire to learn to edit video.” Fast forward those 6 years, I spend more time each week editing video and creating video content than anything else. But it was my willingness to learn something I didn’t know before. To be successful, I don’t think you can hesitate to evolve, especially in an industry that is constantly evolving.
Keegan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I grew up just south of Houston, TX and attended Stephen F. Austin State University. I originally was accepted into their Forestry Program; it was the number 2 school for Wildlife Biology in the nation at the time. As it would turn out, that was not a fit for me and I found myself drawn to the Radio & Television program at the University. I had listened to the legendary Rock 101 KLOL growing up, that has had a lasting impression in my professional life. I started out on College Radio, which was a lot of fun, and was exactly what people think of radio when you tell them you work in the industry. I would then earn an internship at a local radio station cluster that would turn into a part-time job, that would turn into a full-time job after graduation. 2023 will be 20 years for me in the Radio Industry. I’ve held a wide variety of positions from Morning Show Host to Producer, Engineer, Imaging Director, Events/Promotions Manager and everything in between. I’ve been to Super Bowl Radio Row several times with ESPN Radio (Houston), which I was the Imaging Director when that station was named the #1 Sports Talk Station in Houston. I was also the Producer and co-host for an action-sports radio show…we had some fun with that one.
My professional career has span everything from lifeguard, waiter, cook, bouncer, personal trainer, concierge, project manager in the oil and gas industry and even a body double for WrestleMania 25 in Houston.
The big project I’m on right now is Made In Texas Radio. It is a streaming Texas Music focused station with an audience across the US. We play music from Bri Bagwell, Randall King, Jake Bush, Willie Nelson and more. We are heard every day on the Tune In Everything Music App and online through out website. The foundation of the brand is streaming audio but since being asked to manage this brand more than 5 years ago, I have had the opportunity evolve it into a multi-media outlet and lead the introduction and incorporation of video and graphics. Made In Texas Radio produces weekly video interviews & performances with musicians and helps tell their story. These were originally done by Texas Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Donna McKenzie, who has also been a big inspiration for managing this brand and can be heard on the station Monday through Friday 10 am to 2pm. I too have an air shift Monday through Fridays starting at 2pm to 7pm. On Friday’s I like to highlight new music all afternoon long, to help the audience start their weekend off the right way! Made in Texas Radio also has a very active social media for which I am the driving force behind. I am even able to take our productions on the road and incorporate multiple camera live productions for the Texas Music Scene. The owners RFC Media, Texas Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Pat Fant and award-winning radio programmer “Cruze” have really allowed me the opportunity to lead and embrace the social media and trusted me to grow the visual aspects for Made In Texas Radio. (RFC Media is the parent company for Made in Texas Radio). While we are growing and have accomplished a lot, there is still more to come. One of our big goals is to create a Made in Texas Radio Network, syndicating the station and it’s productions to AM & FM stations across the state. .
In 2021, through a lot of hard work and sacrifice, Made In Texas Radio was named “Internet Radio Station of the Year” by the Texas Country Music Assocation, proving that the impact to the Texas Music Scene is there!
Another production I co-host and produce is a weekly Outdoors Show & Podcast titled “Coffee with Captain Dwayne Green” that airs on Made in Texas Radio Friday Mornings. He is a professional guide with Totally Texas Outdoors based in Bay City. The goal with the show is to talk about seasonally appropriate subject matter surrounding the outdoors (hunting, fishing and boating). We talk a lot about techniques, safety and Capt. Green offers insight & tips on how to help people get the most out of their adventures in the outdoors. I have been out on several excursions with him, and he is tremendously knowledgeable and happy to pass on what he knows to educate anyone who will ask. We’ve heard from folks across the country who love the show! I am proud of this show and what it has done…and what it will do in the future!
My current role at RFC Media involves several departments and has sent me to manage the audio stream for major music festivals across the US and in England. I have seen a lot of really great musical performances!!!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The friendships and trust that I have earned.
I was invited to a writers retreat for artists and song writers in 2021. I am neither, so I thought I was a little out of place, but I was there to gather and create content for these same artists, many of whom I knew already. It was at this retreat that I was called an artist for the first time. I originally disagreed, thinking I just work in media.,,,streaming radio. But then, over the course of the next few minutes they convinced me that what I do and the way that I do it is a form of art. Knowing how to lead a conversation, keep things interesting for both parties, making and creating not long interview videos but also music videos takes talent and skill….and therefore, I was..am an artist. I am flattered by the label.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
My willingness to do something different. To stand out. I took a look at what was going on in the Texas Music Industry and looked at what the other Texas Country Music Stations were doing and asked myself…how and what can I do to be different. Not only be different but offer something different…that is produced with integrity and that holds true to the passion that brought me to this industry in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madeintexasradio.com
- Instagram: @madeintexradio
- Facebook: @madeintexasradio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keegan-lucas-3623432a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUy8pnMPtuw81WgPYmBr9Yw