Do You Want To Know a Secret? [Please Please Me, 1963] While radio listeners know much about Bob Kevoian, here are a few additional items:
Bob and wife, Becky, sharing a laugh. [Becky actually coaxed Bob into removing his Dodgers cap for their wedding.]
• Kevoian has no interest in politics (“I want people to like me!) • He and Becky are bird watchers • His musical tastes include classic rock and ‘new’ old country (think “Time Jumpers”) • His brother Peter is a Broadway actor • Favorite cocktail? Jack and Coke • Bob’s golf handicap has gone from a seven to about 15
“THINGS WE SAID TODAY” [A HARD DAY’S NIGHT, 1964] Longtime listeners (even first time callers) know that B&T humor often creeps into the T&A zone. But cultural standards have loosened, and the radio show is now rarely criticized publicly. That wasn’t always the case. “John Price made us famous,” Bob said of the show’s longtime critic and FCC petition filer. “He didn’t understand the more you go after something, the more it attracts attention.” “TICKET TO RIDE” [HELP!, 1965] As ratings continued to climb, Bob and Tom were offered opportunities to take the show to Los Angeles and other large markets. Three primary considerations kept them here: Bigger isn’t always better; they didn’t want to uproot their families; and “Tom and I had a policy that we wouldn’t break a contract,” Bob said. To grow meant syndicating the show, something they could easily do from Indy. Starting with morning slots in Evansville and Fort Wayne, they’re now heard nationwide. “GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE” [REVOLVER, 1966] In 2005, Bob married Illinois native Becky Martin. Becky performs with The Fun Girls musical trio and is a professional studio singer and voice talent. She and Bob love it when people say hello in restaurants or stores, but the couple doesn’t go out of its way to be noticed. In fact, Becky is happiest sharing time at the family compound (her sister lives in a house next door). Spend five minutes with Becky, and you begin to understand how she’s the yin to Bob’s yang (cue the George Harrison sitar music.) Example? Becky coaxed Bob into removing his ever-present Dodgers baseball cap for their wedding. 10
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“A DAY IN THE LIFE” [SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND, 1967] Off the air, Bob leads a relatively quiet life. He and Becky have an unwritten (and likely exaggerated) rule not to be away from home for more than three hours. “This is our place to be, our sanctuary,” he smiled contentedly. A self-proclaimed ‘cocoon guy,’ Bob spends his days reading news online, prepping for the next day’s show. Then it’s dinner, followed by TV time. Favorite shows include Mad Men, House of Cards and Downton Abbey. “ALL MY LOVING” [WITH THE BEATLES, 1963] When asked about living in Lawrence, Bob declared that he and Becky “are lucky to be here.” They like the location, and Bob said it’s changed a great deal – for the better. “Pendleton Pike has been cleaned up quite a bit. The Fort is beautiful. We know the business owners, the good folks around here. I’ve always liked this area. We found our little slice of heaven, and Lawrence happens to be it,” he smiled. “WHEN I’M SIXTY-FOUR” [SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND, 1967] Next year, Bob turns 64. He said his health is fine, though he feels an ache here and there. He still smokes but keeps trying to quit. And he doesn’t play as much golf anymore. Still, for any would-be challengers, be advised: there was no talk of retirement. “The Taxman” (Revolver, 1966) is probably to blame. Neal G. Moore has more than 40 years of media and communications experience, including TV news anchoring and reporting in Indianapolis. For more information, visit NealMoore.com.
NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2014
12/24/2013 11:55:50 AM