The First “Cordes’ Awards” Recipients – Recognizing the Magic Behind the Microphone

APPRECIATION

I’ve been reflecting for some time about the amazing people I’ve had the opportunity to meet, chat with, and become friends with over the years through ‘It Matters with Kelly Cordes' on WJON.It has now been over 10 years that ‘It Matters’ has been on the air, and I can still remember the day that my boss David called me into his office and asked me if I would be interested in doing a talk show. I was so excited. I wanted to be the Oprah Winfrey of central Minnesota. I wanted to bring valuable information to area people of all ages, and thus, ‘It Matters’ was born.

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AMAZING PEOPLE

That being said, it takes a lot to put together an interesting talk show format when you work in a smaller market. You are the producer, the scheduler, the person who has to think of ideas and find interesting topics and people. I was lucky enough to have Jay Caldwell & Pete Nyblom showed me how to format the show and give me the freedom to create a program; but beyond that, it's people around central Minnesota that really contribute their time and effort to providing important information to our listeners, and I am beyond thankful for those people.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

I’ve often though about the community partners that I’ve made by being gifted the opportunity to create this program. Many of those people have been with me since the show first started; linking me with people in our community; helping me come up with topics and ideas that central Minnesotans want to learn about.

THE CORDES' AWARDS

So this year, to honor those people, we have created “The Cordes Awards.” Over the next few months, I’ll be featuring a special person or people that have been helping me through all these years to find guests and create interesting, important, and sometimes just flat-out fun!

TODAY CORDES' AWARDS RECIPIENT

My first recipients of the "Cordes' Awards" are Jim Grabinski and Mike Smith, otherwise known as Jim & Mike, Hosts of 'Travel Talkin' every Friday morning at 1045 am.

I remember the day that I met Jim and Mike. I was called to the front desk one day and told that two gentlemen were at the station and wanted to speak with me. I went to the front desk and was greeted by two smiling gentlemen who introduced themselves to me. They told me they listened to my show every day and wanted to contribute. Thus, Travel Talkin' was born. I wasn't sure what to think at first, but something about them oozed personality and fun. I'm so glad I brought these two crazy guys on the show. They have become great friends over the years, and I'm so grateful for them.

Jim and Mike have been regular contributors to "It Matters," providing us valuable travel information each week, about places they have traveled to, tricks on how to get the most out of your vacation, and the inside scoop of what to expect with temps, culture, must see locations and much more. Not only that, they have provided me with countless guests with incredible stories throughout the years.

JIM AND MIKE - THE TRAVEL GUYS

'Jim and Mike, I'm so thankful for all you've provided to my listeners, and even for you crashing my son Mason's graduation party years ago. You were the life of the party. My whole family loved you both, and still talks about it at get togethers to this day.

If you see Jim and Mike out and about, please join me in congratulating them on being the first Cordes' Award recipients.

WHO WILL BE NEXT?

We’ve had amazing authors, musicians, business professionals, gardeners, comedians, and even information coming straight from our Minnesota Capitol. Whether it is movies and streaming reviews, recovery from addiction, health, or aging information, so many guests and people have made our programming possible. Thank you.