(July 17, 2018) Johnny Cash sings in a famous song about how his career took him everywhere across the United States. Radio veteran Joe Lancello’s career similarly features stops in many cities. The latest sticker on Lancello’s suitcase is Oskaloosa, IA where he is the new News & Sports Director at KBOE/KMZN.
Lancello, an STAA member for 13 years, replaces fellow STAA member Emery Songer who is now at 1040 WHO in Des Moines. The Oskaloosa position was emailed to STAA members in May. It was not posted on STAA’s job board. Lancello moves to Oskaloosa after eight years at KZRG in Joplin, MO.
“It’s a chance to move back into sports play-by-play and to be closer to family in Wisconsin,” he explains. “It’s a 6 1/2 hour drive from Oskaloosa to the Milwaukee area.”
Good timing was part of Lancello’s success formula. “When I made my follow-up call, [General Manager] Rick Watts had just listened to me earlier that morning and was really impressed. It’s funny how the same demo can draw, ‘Wow! I want to talk to this guy’ from one decision-maker and ‘Yuck!’ from another.”
Oskaloosa is Lancello’s 10th stop in the 28 years since graduating from the University of Minnesota. Besides Joplin, his itinerary includes four stops in Minnesota, two in Wisconsin, two in Alabama and one in Tennessee. He’s excited to be moving to Iowa for the first time.
“It will be fun!”
(Visit Joe’s STAA Talent Page).