The Kimmer is Back! Q A& KIMMER

JH: As you just mentioned, you’re a Marine. You served our country really before any of this. What was that experience like?

KP: I joined in 1966. My dad was a Naval officer in World War II and I always used to try on his hat. I wanted to be a Marine since I was five years old. I remember vividly, as a young boy, being on the floor at my parents’ house with one of those big radios playing, the size of a chair, and there was a story about these people rescuing a village. I have never forgotten it. I spent time in Parris Island, Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton and requested orders to go to Vietnam. I was discharged in 1969.

JH: What can we expect from this new show?

KP: I’m just me. Pete (Davis) and Flounder will be with me again. I will do what I always do, get up early, grab my coffee and newspaper, read the news and clip out stuff. I normally do about eight hours of prep. I’ve always overworked it and then at 3:04 or whatever (when the show begins) it’s all out the window. I’m live and spontaneous and well planned but when the gun goes off anything can happen. I’ll never lie, always straight answers. If people know you’re phony they will turn you off.

JH: We are all about Cobb County. You are now one of us, with the XTRA studios in the Battery. What memories do you have about our beautiful County?

KP: When I think of Cobb County, I think of all of the beautiful motorcycle rides I did here along with the many rounds of golf at Cobblestone. I have bought four or five motorcycles at Earl Smalls Harley Davidson and used to ride them all the time in the Marine Corps charity events. We always had the Cobb County police motorcycle unit with their beautiful bikes. We used to take over. I’d be leading the group of 20 to 30 officers. That was a lot of fun.

JH: Some final thoughts on getting back to work?

KP: I’m just so thrilled to be back, take some phone calls and have a laugh. I want to keep them guessing which keeps me guessing and spontaneous and alive. It’s a whole new thing. It’s like a birth. All of a sudden at my age I’m starting a career again. I have butterflies and will be nervous but I’m humbled, I’m smiling and I can’t stop. I feel really good and I feel like it’s nice to be around again.

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