By Lilly Cardenas, October 2008
Photo By Erin Green
Chris Beale is in the studio while songstress Rhianna’s latest hit blasts through the speakers. He leans over a sound board, presses a button, adjusts a few knobs, then spins around in his chair to face one of three computers. He’s listening, typing, turning knobs all at once, all the while he’s keeping time with Rhianna, air-drumming and tapping his feet. “Please don’t stop the music…”
It may as well be his theme song. Better known as “Kory,” the morning drive time guy on 106.9 WKZY-FM, Beale’s arrival in Gainesville six months ago is the DJ’s latest stop in an impressive radio career that started when he was 17 in his hometown Orlando, when he landed his first job at a local station.
Beale, a “high school dropout success story,” was motivated by the memory of his late grandfather, who worked as an Orlando DJ in the 1960s. Beale quickly rose through the ranks, jumping from job to bigger job and from city to city—Miami, Boston, New Haven, Colorado Springs. “I don’t leave a city unless I own it,” he said with a laugh.
And while he’s focused on bringing “a new perspective and energy” to his latest radio gig, Beale is just as determined to fill his free time. He’s looking to join a rock or blues band, find a good Christian church (“I’m very spiritual,” he said) and discover his new city.
“I want to see what this town is all about,” he said. “Bring it on Gainesville!”