(January 9, 2017) Erik Stone spent 11 years in small market radio when he decided to try something different. After a short time working for an Internet broadcaster, Stone realized how much he missed terrestrial radio. Now, he’s returning to his roots. An STAA member, Stone is joining KRSL AM and FM in Russell, KS as an account executive and play-by-play broadcaster.
“I had been looking to get back into a situation where I could work at a community-minded radio station and have the opportunity to broadcast local high school sports, which is something I enjoyed very much previously,” Stone says. “When I saw the Russell position advertised on the STAA site, I made the decision to apply for it.”
In addition to sales, Stone will be broadcasting high school football, basketball, baseball and softball.
When Stone joined STAA in 2006, he was doing news and sports for an AM/FM combo in Lamar, CO. In 2011, he moved to Manhattan, KS to take over as Program Director at KMAN. Last Spring, wanting to try something new, Stone moved to Lawrence, KS to work as a General Sales Manager and Sports Director for an Internet broadcaster.
“Working in Lawrence was a great opportunity for me and I really learned a lot, but over time, I realized that small-market community radio was my comfort zone and something that I really enjoyed and found rewarding,” says Stone.
Stone is one of STAA’s longest-tenured members. “Having been a client for nearly a decade, STAA is always keeping up to date with the openings throughout the country,” he says. “Plus I also learn a lot from the STAAtv videos and interviews.”
Now, Stone is eager to take what he’s learned and, once again, apply it to small market sports broadcasting. “I look forward to getting back into the play-by-play game on a regular basis!”
(Visit Erik’s STAA Talent Page).