Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Brandonisio.
Evan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Back in college, I was working at the Kennesaw State University TV station, my show recorded at the same time as a radio show run by my now good friend David Mendelsen- His cohost was graduating and there was a guy who thought he was going to be the new cohost except that David didn’t like him, so he asked me to pretend to be his co-host for a few weeks just so the other guy would stop asking about it.
The two of us ended up hitting it off, it became permanent, and we won a few student media awards- after that and a decent attempt at a really goofy radio drama, I got an internship with Adam Bomb at Q100 which turned into a job where I babysat the station when people weren’t there. I was good at that, so I started working on Bailey and Southside, the morning’s show on ROCK 100.5 and started producing weekly man on the street bits for them.
Simultaneously, I also started a podcast with my best friend/co-worker Garrett Loudin called Evan and Garrett Take On The World, my boss heard it, liked it and knew my work ethic from the morning’s show, so he gave the two of us the local show on our sister station 99X. From there, Jesse Kage took over the afternoon drive slot with the Kage Kult Show; he saw how hard I was working for the morning show and decided he wanted me as his co-host/producer/sidekick.
Additionally, around town, I do Cineprov, a movie riffing show downtown at the Plaza Theater (which was just named creative loafing’s best comedy show of 2018), I run a video game podcast for an esports company, and I have an advice column for local business Bloveit.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not! There are so many failures in my story, but probably the biggest one is that early in my career, it was filled with tons of people doubling down that you can’t start in Atlanta.
Every time I asked other jocks they were determined to make sure you knew that you absolutely had to start in like, Montgomery, Alabama or something, so having lots of professionals tell you that you can’t do something isn’t the best place for your head to be at, you know? (I eventually lucked into some great mentors)
I remember once very clearly in high school I joined the improv troupe and after my first audition, the president mentioned to me that I had no potential. It was brutal, and it was a lot like that. So I did what I was always do, I worked. I worked and worked. I was putting in hours at the station so I could become undeniable and eventually I did.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about 99X – what should we know?
The Kage Kult Show on ROCK 100.5 is run by one of the best radio talent’s working today in Jesse Kage, the man makes brilliant radio. Point blank. However, more than just the bits and segments we produce, the absolute stand out quality of the show is that it’s based on community.
It’s not like a standard call-in show, it’s more like just a bunch of friends having a discussion in a bar that gets everyone talking. Myself and Jesse work hard to make sure the show isn’t entirely about us, it’s about everyone.
We as the hosts really listen to and value anyone who calls in or stops by a gig or something. We joke that it’s called the Kage Kult Show and not the Jesse Kage and Brando Show for a reason. I think it’s something truly special that hasn’t been on the airwaves in Atlanta in a long time.
99X is the only station in town willing to gamble on new, exciting music. We don’t just go by whatever happens to be testing well, it’s music is programmed by real people with good taste, and I think it’s a great station because of it.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Absolutely. Lots of them. First of all Jesse Kage, not only one of my best friends but also someone who’s been willing to show me the ropes and be the first to offer me advice when he knows I need a little guidance. He’s a big “teach a man to fish” kind of guy, and it’s been instrumental in my success on-air and off.
Secondly, of course, Garrett Loudin. We work well together, and we’re best pals. Doesn’t get better than that. He trusts me when I have some totally out there ideas, and he’s willing to tell him if something I pitch is absolutely awful (which, it is a lot of times!).
Greg Ausham, the boss and fearless leader of Rock and 99X, he gave Garrett and I a shot when other folks probably would have passed on us. He’s a player’s coach, he knows what his team is capable of, and he trusts them because of it. He’s the best boss I’ve ever had.
The whole cast of the Bailey and Southside morning show, Adam Bomb and former Rock afternoon jock, Jay Philpott- The ones who brought me into the business. Gave me the radio “bug” as it’s sometimes referred to.
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
