By: Jeff Lynn / Barrett Media
We’re excited to feature EVIT alum Bootleg Kev and grateful to Jeff Lynn and Barrett Media for allowing us to share his story. Kev’s journey is an inspiring reminder of what hard work and persistence can do. He started selling bootleg CDs and clothes at the Phoenix swap meet while hosting a show at EVIT’s high school radio station in Mesa. From those early days, he grew his name and network, moving from overnights in Phoenix to a nationally syndicated show now heard in more than 100 markets. Along the way, he launched podcasts, a YouTube channel, a record label, and a Scottsdale nightclub, all while giving credit to the mentors and colleagues who supported him. His path shows our students and young broadcasters that small beginnings can lead to incredible opportunities!
Bootleg Kev didn’t start his career in a flashy studio or under the bright lights of a major city radio station. He started in high school, hustling bootleg CDs, clothes, and DVDs at the swap meet in Phoenix, while working at a high school radio station.
Today, he’s nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks, and has a thriving podcast, YouTube channel, nightclub, record label and more. But the journey wasn’t simple.
The Origin of “Bootleg Kev”
“I started selling essentially bootleg CDs, bootleg clothes, fake sneakers, DVDs, all that,” Kev recalls. “I would sell at the swap meet in Phoenix. This was all while doing a radio show at my high school station at EVIT in Mesa, Arizona.”
After graduation, he landed an internship at (Power 98.3) KKFR, selling bootleg DVDs to radio personalities.
“Then, JoeyBoy, I started helping on the morning show as their intern. Joey just started calling me Bootleg Kev. That kind of stuck, and eventually it became my on-air name. Karlie Hustle, the APD at the time, started putting me on overnights to board op. Then I finally got a shift, and I just went by that name. That was mid-2006, and by late summer I was behind the mic for the first time.”
Networking: The Key to Syndication
It’s one thing to have talent, but Kev credits his rise to relentless networking.
“I was doing nights in Los Angeles and had this idea that I wanted to do a syndicated show. When COVID hit, my deal was up, and iHeart offered me a deal in April 2020. I signed, because the world was in an unsure place.”
“Six months later, I got a severance and was let go. That gave me a safety net to launch the syndicated show I’d been dreaming about.”
Kev immediately reached out to Tim Richards, a mentor who connected him to United Stations.
“I was confident I could get five stations immediately to launch with. Those five stations were all relationships I had built over the years. We launched and are now in over 100 markets. Networking was imperative.”
From Board Operator to Interviews with Legends
Despite his success, Kev admits it sometimes takes effort to recognize his achievements.
“I got to a point where I stopped taking in those moments. Recently, I had an interview with Snoop, and I had to pause and realize, ‘Damn, I’m living my dream times a thousand.’ My dream initially was just to get a salary at a radio station to talk. Now, podcasts, YouTube, and syndicated shows. It’s all doing well. I feel like I’m playing with house money.”
Balancing Multiple Ventures
Bootleg Kev isn’t just a radio host. He’s a partner in a Scottsdale nightclub, manages a record label, runs a podcast, and has a presence on YouTube. How does he manage it all?
“It comes down to having a good team. Every facet has a team attached. For the nightclub, my partners are superstars. On the radio show, my producer, DJ Sam I Am and co-host James Andre Jefferson Jr. run the day-to-day.”
“On the podcast, my producer handles edits. You can’t scale something at the highest level by yourself. You have to trust people and be willing to share the pie. I didn’t make money off my radio show for a year and a half because I was paying my team. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, and I want my guys making money. It’s a long play.”
The Power of Industry Events
Kev credits events like Morning Show Bootcamp for keeping him inspired.
“This was my second year there and my first panel. It’s cool to see not just legends like Mojo or JoeyBoy, but younger talent still hungry and passionate. We don’t hear about those people as much because we live in an influencer, YouTuber age. But it’s important to network, learn, and be part of the community.”
He recalls watching Bobby Bones spend hours talking to attendees after a panel.
“I wanted to make sure that if anybody wanted to talk to me, I’d be around. It’s dope to meet people from different markets, morning shows, afternoon shows, even local personalities.”
Vulnerability Behind the Mic
Despite his public persona, Kev admits there were moments when he feared his career was over.
“There were three or four times in my career where I thought I wasn’t going to get another job. I was super scared. I even looked at jobs outside radio. Trying to figure out if I could survive DJing in clubs. But I stayed down, fought through, and here I am. That’s something I haven’t really shared before.”
Gratitude and Shout-Outs
Kev ends with gratitude for the people who supported him.
“Shout out to Tim Richards, DJ Ayo from iHeart, Doc Wynter, Martin from Premiere, Mikey Fuentes, Bruce St. James, JoeyBoy, Orlando Davis, my team, DJ Sam I Am and James Andre Jefferson Jr.”
“I don’t take for granted the affiliates who put the show on. I’m super appreciative.”
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Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
