Cowboy Kyle, US-101’s gentle giant

How does US-101 stay so popular?  How has the station remained on top of the Chattanooga radio ratings for more than twenty years?  Country music stars come and go, just like deejays.  When the station began its ascent, we were listening to Big Jon Anthony, David Earl Hughes and Bearman.  Sadly, they have passed away and we have only memories of their distinctive voices.

Yet somehow, through various ownership changes, US-101 keeps putting the right people in the right places, staying true to its original formula: local people, very involved in the community. Among the stars in US-101’s current galaxy, none are bigger than “Cowboy” Kyle Croft.

Cowboy Kyle Croft

Kyle would be the first to say, “I’m bigger, all right!” Upon meeting him, you can’t help but notice, he’s a big ol’ boy.  Six-foot-seven, and well-fed on Georgia country cooking.  Dade County born and bred, and proud of it.

When he graduated from Dade County High in 2004, his head was telling him to get a real job, but his heart was beating to the rhythm of the radio.  He was no rock ‘n roller. “Alabama was my Elvis,” Kyle said. “I grew up listening to David Earl and Dex.  I couldn’t sing, but I loved those story songs.”

He got involved in the radio class at Chattanooga State and met my Channel 3 friend Jed Mescon, who hooked him up with an internship at US-101.  “My first job was running the board for Tommy Jett’s oldies show.  You can’t take a class better than that!”

From there, he moved into the booth with Dave and Dex for “Neon Friday Nights,” a rowdy weekend show. “Let’s just say we pushed the limits!” he laughed. Barely out of his teens, he showed his bosses he was ready to play in the big leagues.  Since then, he’s become a mainstay, co-hosting the night show with Gator and Styckman, sharing in the station’s countless awards.

Styckman, Gator & Kyle

This all sounds like a breeze until you hear the rest of the story: Kyle is unable to drive a car.  Born with nystagmus, a vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements, Kyle cannot judge distance. He credits “two very loving parents,” Marvin and Brenda Croft for helping with the Trenton-to-Chattanooga commute each day. “I couldn’t do it without them,” he said.

On the job, radio personalities no longer play discs; everything is on a computer.  You’ve got to be able to see the screen.  Kyle manages by making sure the monitor is close to his face, in a darkened control room.

Kyle’s responsibilities go far beyond his nightly show.  In recent years, he’s developed quite a talent for “imaging.” No, he’s not taking x-rays.  Imaging is creating the brand, the overall sound of the radio station.  You know, the stuff you hear between the songs.  When the guy on “96.1 The Legend” drawls, “Every time it snows a half an inch, we shut down an entire city,” Kyle wrote that.  He does it for the Legend, US-101 and nineteen other radio stations, in cities ranging from Louisville to New Orleans.

His creativity was sparked while working overnights, “when I had a lot of time to think.” He dreamed up ideas which were gradually incorporated into US-101’s programming. “Other radio stations go online to listen to US-101, and they started asking my boss where our stuff came from.  He sent them my way, so I started working long distance for them too. It’s a real honor to hear your work all over the country.” He was recently a panelist at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. “I’m sitting up there with all these big names, I couldn’t believe it. I’m truly living the dream,” he said.

Gator Harrison, who oversees US-101’s programming, calls Kyle “incredibly gifted.” He adds, “He communicates and connects with listeners on a friendship level.  Nobody loves our community more than Kyle, and there’s no one more qualified to deliver our message.  We’re blessed to have him in our lives.”

At 30, Kyle now finds himself in the same position his heroes, Dave and Dex were in when he was a kid. He answers the same questions he used to ask them. “They want to know, how can I get into radio? I tell them, just be yourself.  I don’t try to hide my Southern accent.  It’s who I am. I used to get bullied because of my size, people made fun of me.  I’ve always been comfortable in my own skin, I joke about it on the radio. I’m doing exactly what I always wanted to do.”

The big guy with the big heart is grateful for his family, his life and his career.  “I’m very fortunate,” he said. “Somebody believed in me, and gave me a chance.  It’s up to me to work hard, and make everybody proud.”