Kate Kelly

Program Director / Music Director
Morning Drive Show Host – Monday through Friday 6AM – 12PM
The Evening Edition Host – Monday through Friday 6PM – Midnight
Office: (660) 646-4173 | Cell: (660) 530-7000 | Email: kkelly@kchi.com

I was born and raised in New York City until the age of 13 when my family and I relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada.  I grew up immersed in the world of entertainment and music as my family introduced me to Broadway at a very young age.  I began organ, piano, and dance lessons at the age of 5 and it was just natural for me to start performing in Las Vegas.  During my years at Las Vegas High School, I was involved in band, choir, and drama, and spent a lot of my free time singing with my band and acting in community theater.  In my last year of high school, I decided to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice and completed the Law Enforcement Training Academy; became a 9-1-1 dispatcher and eventually a correctional officer.

After a chance meeting with a co-worker who also worked as a DJ for a local radio station, I decided to switch careers and pursue my Master of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism.  I began working in Print for our local news paper covering crime, arts & entertainment, and eventually had my own food column called “The Dish”.  Over the next 12 years I moved around the country working as a general assignment reporter, TV news anchor, on-air radio personality, program director, and radio station owner.

I have performed in many musicals including Dream Street, Avenue Q, Wicked, and Menopause the Musical.  Singing and performing is still a huge part of my life.

In addition to my duties at KCHI, I am the Executive Director of Refuge Ministries and believe in serving others in the community in which I live.

I am passionate about many things, including animal rescue, LGBTQ+ rights, advocating for those with mental and emotional illnesses, assisting incarcerated individuals with their transition back to society, supporting our veterans with PTSD, and promoting women in leadership.

I enjoy teaching, motivational speaking, hosting events and fundraisers, and creating unique ad campaigns.

My hobbies include cooking, singing, travel, crafts, wine walks & beer brews, playing piano, and reading.

I am a member of SAG, AFTRA, Society of Professional Journalists, and Investigative Reporters & Editors.

I am currently the keyboardist and one of the vocalists for the 2022 Livingston County Fair Jamboree.

I have lived in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Maui, Houston, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and currently call Chillicothe, Missouri my home – which I share with my fur baby Lacey Lou.

Lacey Lou