It’s no secret that Ken Heron and I are associates. We’ve been associates for some time now – 5, or six years.
In any case, I appear to be showing in increasingly of his movies on YouTube. I’m speculated to be the digicam man, undecided why that’s! So, yeah, no secret there.
In fact, I met Ken Heron lengthy earlier than I met Ken Heron. Like lots of you on the market, I met Ken by his YouTube channel, Ken Heron – YouTube.
I really was one of many earliest watchers of Ken and his channel, because it was of nice curiosity to me and my very own drone pursuit. Ken grabs you, there’s no different approach to describe it.
He’s humorous, charismatic, and educated in regards to the topic of drones and another issues.
It was his conveyance of ardour for the interest that has led many people, me included, to choose up a controller and grow to be a drone pilot.
To say Ken Heron has had an affect on me can be an understatement, and I’m not alone. In any case, how may he not?
He has an infinite affect on the entire of the drone group, with a powerful presence, not solely within the GPS group, however that of the FPV group as properly.
The allure and, after all, nice hair are simply how he’s. As I discussed above, I met Ken as one in all his followers, by no means considering it will transcend that.
The how or why of us changing into the chums that we now have fairly frankly eludes me.
That’s simply how realizing Ken is although, he kinds instantaneous bonds and long-lasting friendships. A very good instance of that may be Jeff Sills. Should you’re not conversant in Jeff, he helps Ken on TNL and does the present’s Drone Information phase, one of many first sorts of drone information we had ever seen.
Ken and Jeff went to highschool collectively. I’d have preferred to discover that additional, however Ken is pretty tight-lipped typically.
That’s some dedication and dedication to a friendship there. Particularly in the event you ever watched the TNL Drone Information phase.
Then once more, if you realize Ken, you wouldn’t count on something much less. So, I’m certain Jeff’s alright! I not too long ago tried that chair out myself and Jeff, we want you brother. It’s more durable than it appears to be like, and I’ll go away it at that.
The Interview
I not too long ago sat down with Ken and interviewed him for this very article. Ken’s a bit squirrelly relating to speaking about himself or his previous.
I initially tried this by sending an e mail with the questions written out. The thought was to simply have Ken fill within the solutions and ship it again.
We really dwell about fours aside, and after some time, it turned clear if it was to get performed, another measure can be wanted, so I sat him down in entrance of a digicam, since simply sending him an e mail with questions simply wasn’t going to work, not for Ken.
Ken will probably be Ken in spite of everything.
The interview solely performs a small half in any article as there’s all the time impartial analysis used to confirm and verify issues. However with Ken, it actually has grow to be a focus for this function.
The interview itself runs about 35 minutes lengthy and was on a steady run.
On this interview we do get some issues out of Ken that nobody else has, so it’s price watching it by.
» MORE: Half 1: My Journey from Drone Hobbyist to Half 107 Pilot
Ken Heron’s Early Life
Ken Heron was born in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Aug twenty first, 1966. Now, Ken solely spent the earliest a part of his life in Florida, the primary few years. He can nonetheless be a Florida Man if you would like him to be.
It does go away one to marvel if dwelling so near NASA could have performed some half in his love of aviation. He would have solely been three when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, so a few of his earliest influences, maybe.
Though this didn’t come up within the dialog, you do must marvel. Ken has a sister who’s three years his youthful they usually grew up in a single-parent residence for essentially the most half.
He moved loads rising up. He acknowledged that 17 instances, and it’s right here that the pleasant, get-along-with-everyone Ken form of got here from.
You possibly can see that; it was this must make associates shortly and be noticeable but unnoticeable on the identical time, by this era, that may have stored bullies and such at bay. It’s arduous to punch a man who’s making you chortle, you realize.
Ken offers with lots of life’s adversities with humor. Rising up shifting from one place to a different could possibly be robust on any child. I’ve spoken with Ken’s mom, who is just as candy as could be.
You possibly can inform she did her finest to supply for each of her kids as they grew up.
One other level I took away from this portion of the interview was Ken’s greatest affect rising up. It seems it was primarily his grandparents. Primarily that of his grandfather, who suffered from being legally blind.
His grandfather’s incapacity led to Ken being round a variety of audio gear rising up, as his grandfather would use recording units for dictation. It was this affect that led Ken into radio, drawn there by sound results and a fascination for the know-how.
» MORE: Half 2: I Simply Received My Half 107. Now what?
Though he was properly on his approach, radio started in earnest for Ken in highschool. He took on a tech and internet hosting place at WHHS a Excessive Faculty Station, out of Haverford PA.
An attention-grabbing reality about WHHS is that it’s the oldest excessive school-run station in the US, making its first broadcast on Dec 6, 1949.
After that, Ken did attend a fly-by-night broadcasting school. These have been very typical on the time and have been consistently being marketed. This in the end led to an actual internet hosting place at a radio station.
He grew up with not essentially a tough life, however then once more not precisely a straightforward one both. Ken himself described it as idyllic, which looks like extra deflection than anything.
Having discovered that he may simply make associates and keep away from so most of the pitfalls so many people encounter, Ken doesn’t have any of the vices that seize so many people in that interval, be it consuming or smoking or different.
Ken, from an early level, knew what he needed to be – a radio host. And for essentially the most half, rising up, it appears he centered on that aim, discovering himself and his persona alongside the best way.
Now, when making an attempt to glean info from Ken, about Ken, it’s like herding cats. Ken is a grasp of taking part in either side of the coin. Being prepared and but reluctant all at this identical time.
I really feel that we did achieve some good perception into the younger Ken Heron although. Generally, it’s what’s unsaid in a press release that provides away essentially the most.
Whereas speaking with Ken, you possibly can clearly see that it’s considerably uncomfortable for him to look again. It is because Ken, being Ken, is all the time trying ahead.
Ken Heron’s Radio Life
Within the second a part of the interview, I centered our consideration on Ken’s time in radio. Ken has been in radio as a present host for forty years now.
You possibly can solely think about that in that point there have been many ups and downs. Should you’re not all that conversant in what’s been occurring in radio in these days, issues have been a bit topsy, turvy, particularly by the Nineteen Nineties.
Massive company stations moved in on most of the impartial stations on the time and acquired them up. That left somebody like Ken a bit out within the wind.
It exhibits in his work historical past in that he moved from station to station, and there have been a number of. A few of them don’t even function anymore, having not survived the buyouts.
» MORE: Half 3: The right way to Open A Drone Service Firm
As a radio host, Ken is a tempered shock jock. He is aware of the place the road is and simply how far it may be pushed earlier than going over. Though there are occasions when that line does appear to have been breached.
Right here I must warn you, within the interview, Ken regales us with essentially the most memorable second from radio. It is extremely adult-themed, so right here’s your warning about that.
What comes throughout essentially the most is the fireplace of ardour Ken has for the work he does. How he pushes boundaries and the mindset and willpower he has for his artwork, and it’s an artwork.
Ken brings it up within the interview, and that was the time he spent as a co-host on the Beaner and Ken present.
Now in the event you lived within the Birmingham space anytime between 1998 and 2003 or Tuscaloosa from 2003 to 2006 on both 107.7 WRAX-FM or 100.5 WANZ-FM, you’ll have been listening to Beaner and Ken within the mornings. On this present, Ken labored alongside Man Patton, higher referred to as Beaner.
The Beaner and Ken present ran for 8 years and actually was a primary ranked morning present in these demographics. Right here we see although, the place this can be a sore spot for Ken.
The present was canceled when the unique station was purchased by Citadel Broadcasting and altered the station’s format.
Though it might have been an finish to the Beaner and Ken present, Man Patton has gone on to jot down and produce his personal sitcom and in 2015 launched the film, Pearl.
Ken, he’s been busy too. Having moved on from the Beaner and Ken present, he labored at a number of different stations earlier than discovering his new residence of the previous couple of years at 98.3 Paducah on the JC and Ken present, one other morning present delivering on pure Ken content material.
In fact, all of us bear in mind Kelly Inexperienced. Kelly is one other of Ken’s longtime associates and work companions who was part of the Kelly and Ken present on 100.9 The Farm. Additionally, the situation of that Crimson Barn.
Kelly can also be a long-time co-host for TNL, and nonetheless will co-host alongside Ken from time to time. It was this station that Ken references within the interview as what began him out in droning.
A lot as the autumn of the Beaner and Ken Present, The Farm additionally fell to a buyout state of affairs and a format change, leaving Ken in a brief lurch, his place at 98.3. Nicely, it’s Ken. So, the sky’s the restrict!
Within the final a part of the interview, we see among the actual Ken, and among the issues that he’s captivated with and couldn’t have hoped for higher. We lined extra of Ken’s YouTube life and he reveals some issues!
» MORE: Half 4: The right way to Get Your Drone Enterprise Off the Floor
Ken Heron’s YouTube Life
Now we come to the half principally associated to drones and what Ken Heron has dropped at us all around the years.
Within the third a part of the interview, we mentioned Ken Heron and his YouTube Channel.
We cowl how he harnesses the facility of social media and know-how to share his information, creativity, and, after all, his love for aerial images, scratch that, I imply Aerial Videography.
As it’s possible you’ll not have been conscious, Ken’s not likely a photographer and by no means has been. His passions have all the time been that of audio and video. He even will get a little bit heated within the interview, after I attempt hitting this level residence.
What the video doesn’t present is we’ve had many conversations on taking pictures methods and lighting and different facets of nonetheless images in addition to videography, so, there’s a little bit of background that phase doesn’t make clear. It was a little bit of a unclean pool on my half. His response, nonetheless, is priceless.
One of many greatest takeaways was how and who impressed the Present, TNL. That is one thing Ken by no means talks a lot about.
» MORE: Half 5: The Fact About Working a Drone Enterprise
Very similar to my very own friendship with Ken, Ken knew for some time the one who planted the TNL seed, and he performed a big function in Ken’s early drone movies. That was Dana Williams.
Now, if that title sounds acquainted to you, it’s possible you’ll be a fan of Diamond Rio. Dana is the Bass participant and the baritone vocals for the band. He’s additionally an enormous, fixed-wing RC flyer.
It was upon Dana’s prompting that Ken created TNL or Thursday Night time Reside. Now, I’ve little doubt that we might know of Ken Heron even when he by no means began doing the weekly present TNL. He has that sort of character.
Nonetheless, TNL might be what garnered him the place he holds at present. A present he deliberate and produced solely by himself for 5 years with out lacking a single week. That’s to not say he didn’t have some assist alongside the best way.
He does use a co-host, and there’s all the time a behind-the-scenes factor taking place. Like most of his non-TNL movies, although, it’s all Ken from begin to end. From thought creation to last edit and every little thing in between, it’s all Ken.
As soon as once more, Ken’s actions present a drive and untamed willpower any of us can be proud to have only a share of. It’s these very qualities which have led to Ken’s success and being acknowledged as one of many high main Drone influencers at present.
In fact, Ken, he’s too modest to let that blow his ego out.
That and in the event you have been to ask, he would deny being an influencer in any respect. Which is whole BLEEP! It’s this modesty that’s one in all his extra enduring qualities, as he does preserve a degree head as to his superstar.
» MORE: Half 6: Is Proudly owning My Personal Drone Enterprise Value It?
He’s a really down-to-earth particular person, though he has reached a sure degree of fame. That’s not what drives him. Fortunately! He’d be inconceivable if it was.
Let’s be trustworthy: Ken Heron is legendary, however not within the Hollywood sense of well-known. Inside our drone group, although, 75%, if not even a bit increased, of any drone pilots you point out the title Ken Heron to, they’ll know precisely who you’re speaking about.
They could be followers, or they might not like Ken a lot in any respect. Most are within the center. They admire the humor and shenanigans Ken will get as much as. They look ahead to the academic How-To’s and to get Ken’s view on issues.
Many people watch to see Ken smash one other drone; it’ll occur in the end.
So yeah, between Radio Ken and YouTube Ken, he’s made a mark on this world that gained’t be simply forgotten. Not dangerous for a Florida Man, now could be it!
We do be taught a bit extra about Ken’s inspiration for stepping into droning. He needed a selected shot of the Massive Crimson Barn Workplace the place he labored. It was right here that he did the Kelly and Ken present.
In fact, this was approach again, 11 years in the past in 2012, so choices have been restricted on the time to say the least. Then although, we be taught far more about Ken’s inspiration from seeing footage in Hollywood movies within the late 90’s and 2000’s. How he noticed that and needed to recreate it.
Ken additionally brings up a extremely good level as properly about superpowers and the way drones give everybody the facility of flight. It’s not the primary point out of this concept of superpowers from Ken.
Inform me he’s not nerdy, come on, I triple-dog dare you. In a approach, he’s completely appropriate. The reward and energy of voice – it’s a superpower. The reward of flight, to soar with the eagles – that’s additionally a superpower as properly.
Though we’re not all going to run off and grow to be profitable radio present hosts, we are able to all get a drone and fly.
» MORE: Half 7: The Largest Errors I Made As A Drone Pilot (The Proper Decisions Now Will Save You Later!)
Wrap-Up
Ken Heron, what’s there to say? Radio Ken, Drone Ken, YouTube Ken, Common Ken, they are surely all simply the identical man.
Okay, I’ll provide you with there’s no common Ken. In on a regular basis I’ve identified him, and within the strategy of gathering information and writing this text, I nonetheless couldn’t inform you what makes the person tick. I don’t assume he may actually inform you that himself.
The rationale for that’s there’s no finish to the journey for Ken Heron. There’s tomorrow, certain. For Ken, although, it appears to be far more in regards to the journey than any vacation spot.
He finds the very best in every little thing he does; he doesn’t look again with regrets and tries to seek out the lesson in errors. He has humor as his fixed companion, and it brings him pleasure to share the humor with all who need to pay attention or watch.
He’s self-taught in most of the abilities he’s wanted to grow to be one of many most interesting editors I do know, and an okay drone pilot as properly. I jest.
Ken is without doubt one of the most expert drone pilots you will discover, and I’ve discovered fairly a bit from him, in individual and from his movies. As I do know lots of you will have as properly.
Very similar to the ultimate interview query, “What do you see for you and the channel sooner or later?” Ken’s response was, “I don’t know!” I believe that was a particularly reasonable and trustworthy reply from Ken. He doesn’t know; none of us do.
Ken Heron, he’s fairly too content material with the now. Maybe that’s Ken’s secret and one other superpower; he actually is pleased within the now of issues, and the longer term will convey what it does.
Residing within the now as an alternative of the previous or the longer term – if solely the remainder of us lived that far more usually, we could possibly be a little bit extra like Ken. Now that’s not so dangerous!
Fly Protected! Fly All the time, All the time Fly Protected!
» MORE: Half 8: Dronelife Eternally!