The radio voice of Kevin Matthews has been heard over airways across the country for nearly 25 years. Kev, as he prefers to be called, began his radio career in 1978 at WSRX student radio at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Mich.

After graduating from GVSU, Kevin worked his way up through the Grand Rapids, Mich. radio market until he finally settled at the city's classic rock station, WLAV-FM. There, he created a legendary morning show that quickly earned number-one status in the West Michigan market - and stayed there until he left West Michigan in 1984. Next stop St. Louis.

As the morning man in St. Louis for only a year, Kev's reputation as a quick wit with legions of loyal listeners rapidly spread throughout the national radio circuit. Before long, Chicago LOOP (WLUP) - the most popular radio station in the country for 10 years running at that time - got wind of Kev and snatched him up. When his personality hit Chicago airwaves in 1985, his fan base instantaneously grew into thousands. "KevHeads," a name for his fans that began in Michigan, could now be found throughout the Midwest - in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois.

At the LOOP/AM 1000 Kev developed his wildly popular alter-ego, sports radio announcer Jim Shorts. This character became a significant part of the Chicago sports scene through featured radio chats and public appearances with Chicago sports heroes Michael Jordan, Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon and many, many more.

With more than a face for radio, Kev has appeared on stage with such television personalities as Dana Carvey, Mike Myers and Jerry Seinfeld as well as many others. His guest appearance on the internationally acclaimed television show Bay Watch in the early 90's is yet another "dumb moment" of Kev's career.

He also uses his comedy sketches, characterizations and cunning personality in stand-up routines to "keep up his stupidity" at some of the biggest stages in the Midwest, including Alpine Valley, the World Music Theater, the Chicago Park West, The Vic any many other venues. Kevin Matthew's has entertained thousands and thousands of KevHeads.

<>He's done it all, baby, including giving back. Through the years, Kevin has supported a wide variety of charitable and community organizations. He is particularly proud of the Kevin Matthews'-Clause Foundation, which supports numerous children's charities throughout the Chicago area.

In 1998, Kev left AM1000 to join Chicago-based ABC radio. After three years with ABC, Kev took a short pause in his radio career to pursue some of his personal interests, one of which is cooking.
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Driven by his passion to cook (and eat), Kev truly practices what he preaches, "Live to eat; don't eat to live!" That passion sparked the idea for his latest venture, a cookbook aptly titled, This Book Could Kill You: Recipes to Die For. The book is filled with Kev's favorite recipes and boils over with Kevin's humor and stories from the heart.

Kevin now works for Citadel Communications in Program Development, and also does the morning drive slot at WLAV in Grand Rapids, MI.

Since Kevin Matthews has come back to Grand Rapids, life is very busy. His daughter will graduate from High School and his son Trevor is traveling back and forth from California and Chicago playing guitar. He will be signing a record deal this summer and will hit the road. Deb is busy teaching young children to read, she is doing some really special work.

What is the most asked question since you left Chicago? The most asked question is why did I leave Chicago? It was just over a year ago when I walked away from a three-year contract with WCKG. My gut said it was time to leave this company. They had no plan regarding Howard Stern, the really great people were jumping this sinking ship, and it was time to leave. It has been one year since I left this sinking ship and it has sunk.

Why did you come back to Grand Rapids? I could have named my market, but only one market and one company has Matt Hanlon. Matt is one such a sharp and creative man. He reminds me of Larry Wert and Jimmy DeCastro who built the LOOP radio back in Chicago. Citadel broadcasting is the best radio company to work for period. Since I returned to Grand Rapids and my roots, Citadel purchased ABC radio, which is very exciting.

Your getting more press and are talked about more in Chicago, then when you were here? I want to thank Larry Wert, Mancow, Johnny B. Bubba and Howard Stern, these guys understand what I'm doing, I'm so glad I left Infinity Broadcasting and WCKG, it's dead. Rest in peace.

Your doing the morning show, who are you working with? It is really fun to be back doing morning drive. Tony Gates did a great job hosting this program and moved to afternoon drive. Tony and me go way back folks, Tony hired me here at LAV years ago, talk about full circle.

I love waking up in the morning, I hate my alarm clock, but once I'm out of bed, I can't wait to enter the air studio. I'm working with Ed Buchanan, Ed is my news dude, but Ed is the first guy to hire me in radio. Ed Buchanan is the man folks and this radio station is a giant in the classic rock world of radio, 40 years and we have not turned it down yet.

My show is produced my Mary Ellen Murphy. Mary Ellen has the best voice in the business. Jim Shorts is back to doing what he does best, sports in the morning. It's fun, period. You can hear the program on the stations web site, or on the official site for Kevin Matthews, www.kevhead.com

Kev, are you still working with Devon? Yes, Devon is back big time. The audience loves this alien from space. My favorite segment that Devon has each morning is the word of the day. It airs daily at 9am.

When you're not on the air, what do you enjoy doing?  I have had a chance to see more concerts and sporting events, more then I did in Chicago. I'm living in downtown Grand Rapids and everything great is in walking distance. This city is really growing, it is the second biggest city in Michigan and in a few years, it will be the biggest.

Some of the best golf courses in America are right here in Michigan. Great courses, you all should come over and play a few. I also want to bird hunt again this fall with my dog Charlie. It is great to be with people who hunt and fish, who really love the outdoors.

Do you miss Chicago and your fans? Chicago is such a special place and of course I miss the audience. Chicago will always be a wonderful city. The fans, Kevheads in Chicago are so great, I can't thank them enough, but it's not over. Who knows what the future will bring? Let me remind you, you living in Chicago and in other states and countries can hear me daily here on the web. Hey, Chicago is just over a two-hour drive!

What is Jim Shorts doing these days? I don't see much of Jim after the radio show. I know that he is living in Matt Hanlon's garage. Now that it is getting warmer outside, Jim should be moving outdoors. Jim has a very big job here, he is manages all of the Citadel sports departments. Jim was key working with Matt Hanlon in landing the Detroit Lions contract. Jim has also elevated the Huge show which airs in the afternoon on our sister station WBBL-AM.

What type of parties are you hosting Kev? The morning show is new and our first major party was "Fat Tuesday" It was wall-to-wall Kevheads and the place was jumping with Buckwheat Zydeco. I will be introducing Grand Rapids to our "Prom" parties. This summer we will have some golf outings, BBQ's and will host some music festivals as well.

What kind of music are you listening to these days Kev? I have been listening to my son's music most of all. He is working on new projects all the time; I love listening to his recordings, or Trevor playing live. I also have been listening to older country, Merle, Willie and Hank Jr. I love listening to jam bands; I love the new project by Derrick Trucks and his band. Derrick is on tour with the Allman brothers and will tour late this summer with Eric Clapton. I hope to bring Derrick into this area sometime this year. I have had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy Dillon, great guitarist here in Michigan. Jimmy has played with everyone. Jimmy has a great music camp for kids; I really want my foundation to support his work.

What are you watching on television these days? I love watching A&E and the History Channel with my daughter Teage. I was so excited to see the return of the Sopranos, but it has been so boring. Dangerous Catch is fun to watch, crab fishing off the coast of Alaska, this show rocks and it's on the Discover Channel. Still digging the cooking shows, did not watch 24 this season, Hogan knows best on VH1, love Hulk. I also watch local news that is about it.

Your web site really is fun to spend time on, where do you get those great pictures? I love www.kevhead.com. Derrick Phillips is our web master. I update the site every night. We get those great photos from around the world. We get tons of content from Kevheads too. We are planning to introduce Pod casting and other audio specials. I really have preserved hours of past audio highlights, I want to share them with those who visit the site.

Are you writing another cookbook Kev? Yes, I just started gathering some new dishes. This book should be pretty fun. It should be done by the fall. Some really great food is on the way Kevheads!

Should we still yell "Freebird" at concerts? Yes, by all means, especially if the concert sucks.

Are you ever going to get your band back together? I loved the tavern tour band and loved Ed Zepplin.  It has been busy just getting the morning show up and running, moving into an apartment and setting up our office. I would love to start looking for some area players and hit some stages this fall. Ed Zeppelin was such a huge production. I also would love to get into the studio and record some songs. I found tons of lost tavern tour CD's that I would love to release on the web site. This CD was recorded live at many area clubs including the House of Blues in Chicago. I have some projects that should be a big help to area musicians here in Michigan. I really want to support local talent and all musical styles.

What about stand up, it has been so long since you were on stage? I started doing stand up here, my first night happened here in Grand Rapids. I did some stand up last winter for a charity and it was really fun to stand on stage again and just have fun. Something we can do later this fall.

Does Jim Shorts still wet the bed? Yes I think he does. I know that he will have accidents during his sports reports.

What hot chicks have you fallen in love with these days Kev? Well, I'm married, Deb is my hot chick, but Jessica Alba is so hot. I also have fallen in love with this chick on some deodorant commercial on television. Wow! I can't even remember the brand that's how hot she is.

Do you miss Chicago style hotdogs? Hey those dogs are greatly missed. I also miss the beef and red sauces. I would love open a restaurant someday. I have lost tons of weight since I moved, but I do miss Carm's beef and Portello's.

How is the Kevin Matthews-Clause foundation doing? We are doing well; the foundation is taking on some very needed projects. We are really trying to help kids with learning disorders and really take on kids on medication and this whole attention deficit disorder. I'm very proud of this foundation and thank all of you who have helped so many.

Are you happy? Would you do anything different? Yes, I'm very happy. It is an interesting time to be in radio. Life does come full circle. I have been blessed with a wonderful family; great kids and I have had and continue to have a blast on the radio. Thanks for the support, here is to the future.