Monk:
Jonathan Monk has been asking people “whatcha doing?” for years…which tends to happen when you’re the oldest of six kids and you’re naturally nosey. So it makes sense that he’d find radio to be the perfect career for his talents. He finds it particularly amusing that he gets paid to find out what everybody in the community is doing, and share it with the rest of the crowd. That crowd has included audiences in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Jacksonville and Fresno.
Jonathan started out in radio as a teenager and built his college radio station. His drive, curiosity and eagerness to help the community led him and his partner, Dianna Kelly, to a Marconi award and a CMA nomination while hosting a show in middle Tennessee. He also got his stations nominated for five Marconis, a CMA nomination and an ACM nomination while serving as operations manager for the cluster there.
Making the community an active part of the show is Jonathan’s trademark, as both a programmer and air talent. After a police officer was slain in Las Vegas during his tenure there, Jonathan spearheaded a fundraising drive that garnered more than 100-thousand dollars in a weekend for the officer’s family. He’s also emceed numerous events for charities, sat on several non-profit boards and established a concert series to raise money for St. Jude Kids. His experience as an Eagle Scout and an Army vet makes him appreciate the value of public service.
In addition to his radio career, Jonathan has done some dabbling in television, hosting holiday specials, serving as an entertainment reporter, and hosting a public affairs program. He’s also done some acting, including regional commercials and featured extra roles in Zombieland, Due Date and Drop Dead Diva.
Jonathan’s the proud father of a pair of teenagers and the chew toy of a pair of terriers. He and his wife, Dianna Kelly, have been married for a couple of decades.
Q&A:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in beautiful Rhode Island, home of the best beaches and the littlest state in the United States. Growing up there gave me a sense of adventure, independence and good ole New England ingenuity.
Q: What made you get into radio?
A: I got into radio while in High School, inspired by my English teacher.
Q: Before you were old enough to know better, what did you want to be?
A: I always knew I wanted to be in radio since the day I heard “War of the Worlds” being played on 63 WPRO Providence. I used to listen to all the personalities and dream of one day doing what they were doing, because they seemed so cool. I was fortunate enough to actually work for the legendary radio station I grew up listening to.
Q: What can most people do that you cannot?
A: Most people have an innate ability to move to the music and it’s ironic that I’m in the music business but tend to have two left feet. It comes in handy when I want to embarrass my children in public. I can’t wait until my daughter starts dating, I definitely know how to scare off her potential boyfriends.
Q: Who would play you in a movie of your life?
A: My life isn’t terribly interesting, however, because of radio I have been blessed to meet and interview some of the biggest stars in the world. My wife Dianna Kelly and me were fortunate enough to interview Tom Cruise and were impressed with his dedication to his craft. I would have to say that I think Tom Cruise would be my choice to play me in a movie of my life.
Q: What could you do if asked to perform a stupid human trick?
A: Visualize Jim Carrey and all of his contorted facial expressions, I can actual do that stuff. Is that considered a stupid human trick? Maybe I should re-think Tom Cruise and ask Jim Carrey to play me in a movie.
Q: What 5 things are always in your fridge?
A: Five things you will always find in my fridge include, meat, fruit, vegetables, water and a bag of peanut M & M’s hidden behind the frozen broccoli in the freezer so my kids can’t find them. Oops!
Q: If you had 1 super hero power, what would it be?
A: The super hero power I would love to have is invisibility, just think of the possibilities!
Q: Pirates or ninjas?
A: Pirates, the adventures of the high seas, the beautiful islands and the booty, you know the gold and silver coins, that’s the life!
Q: What is the #1 song on your iPod right now?
A: Whatever my daughter is listening to at the time. I don’t own my own ipod, my kids take all the electronic devices away from me, so sad. Right now, it’s “Five Seconds of Summer”, “The Coronas” and some other boy band my daughter has a fascination for the time being. If it were up to me, “Life Is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts, it always get me going!
Q: If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
A: This is going to sound a little deep, but I prefer to live in the present. I’m glad to read and review past events so we can learn from our mistakes. I’m glad to think about what the future may hold, but realize only good choices can only positively affect future outcomes. Living a good, clean fun and helpful life in the present is the way to experience all life has to offer.
Q: If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A: I would love to learn Chinese. I’d feel comfortable then to take a trip to China to experience their world and culture.
Q: When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
A: Thirty minutes of free time, what’s that? I’ve spent more than that typing this questionnaire out, I could’ve been at the Driving range!
Q: Cone or milkshake?
A: Definitely a cone, double scoop and stuffed tightly into the cone so I can enjoy every bit of ice cream. It’s my Achilles heel! Chocolate Chip Vanilla and Black Cherry one scoop on top of the other is a heavenly respite.
Q: Beach house or mountain lodge?
A: Beach House, it brings me back to my younger days on the beaches of Rhode Island!
Q: What makes you laugh til you cry/pass out?
A: Interesting people who have a great story to tell. The everyday trials and tribulations seem to be the funniest because they’re so pure and it’s just real life. For instance, we had a friend who actually changed one of our children’s diapers when he was a baby and he wore a medical mask with a clown face on it. His mother used to work at a hospital, so he had one. He put Vicks vapor rub inside of it to mask the smell. To this day, our son really doesn’t like clowns or Vick’s vapor rub. That’s funny!
Kelly:
Dianna Kelly will talk to anyone — people in grocery store lines, people in schools, people on the other end of her telephone (and that’s included Tom Cruise, Ty Pennington, and Billy Ray Cyrus, to name a few.) She likes to listen, too, which makes people like to tell her things to share with her audience. That’s one of the reasons why she won a Marconi for her air work, and why she snagged six Associated Press awards for her feature reports.
During the course of her career, Dianna’s broadcast to audiences in Kansas City, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Fresno, Jacksonville, Grand Rapids, and suburban Nashville. She’s also worked with a number of charitable organizations, including the March of Dimes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Children’s Miracle Network (her son was a Miracle Child at Children’s Mercy Hospital in KC,) the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Don Bosco Centers, the Trent Green Family Foundation, Ozanam, Theatre League KC, the Kansas City Ballet, the American Royal, The American Heart Association, and the Salvation Army. She and her husband, Jonathan Monk, have hosted public affairs shows, holiday specials and entertainment segments for television as well.
Dianna’s also been busy raising a pair of teenagers and being bossed around by a pair of terriers. In addition, she’s a freelance writer and adjunct professor, with a Masters in Communications from Ohio University and a Bachelors in TV/Radio/Film at Syracuse University. She’s married to Jonathan Monk.
Q&A:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: New Hampshire (where it actually snows more than here!)
Q: What made you go into radio?
A: It grabbed me when a friend of a friend took me on a tour of the college radio station, because I realized I could perform and write.
Q: Before you were old enough to know better, what did you want to be?
A: An actress, so I could be anybody and not get blamed for misbehavior.
Q: What can most people do that you cannot?
A: Tie shoelaces that will stay tied. My family laughs because I always have to double knot them or they untie themselves.
Q: Who would play you in a movie of your life?
A: Laura Prepon, the penultimate female smartass.
Q: What could you do if asked to perform a stupid human trick?
A: Cross my legs and walk on my knees.
Q: What five things are always in your fridge?
A: Diet green iced tea, apples, Greek yogurt, butter, take-out of some kind.
Q; If you had one superhero power, what would it be?
A: Mind reading. (I’m a mom.)
Q: Pirates or ninjas?
A: Ninjas.
Q: What is the #1 song on your ipod?
A: Something Bad by Miranda and Carrie
Q: If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
A: The signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Q: If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A: To play the guitar.
Q: When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?
A: Reading.
Q: Cone or milkshake?
A: Cone (love the crunch!)
Q: Beach house or mountain lodge?
A: Beach house (I can pretend I’m going to swim.)
Q: What makes you laugh til you cry/pass out?
A: Any episode of Craig Ferguson’s late night show.
