It’s no secret that Ken Heron and I are mates. We’ve been mates for some time now – 5, or six years.
In spite of everything, I appear to be showing in increasingly more of his movies on YouTube. I’m alleged to be the digital camera man, unsure why that’s! So, yeah, no secret there.
After all, I met Ken Heron lengthy earlier than I met Ken Heron. Like a lot of you on the market, I met Ken via 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 method 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 select up a controller and grow to be a drone pilot.
To say Ken Heron has had an affect on me could be an understatement, and I’m not alone. In spite of everything, how might he not?
He has an unlimited affect on the entire of the drone neighborhood, with a powerful presence, not solely within the GPS neighborhood, however that of the FPV neighborhood as effectively.
The attraction and, in fact, nice hair are simply how he’s. As I discussed above, I met Ken as considered one of his followers, by no means considering it could transcend that.
The how or why of us turning into the chums that we now have fairly frankly eludes me.
That’s simply how figuring out Ken is although, he kinds prompt bonds and long-lasting friendships. A superb instance of that might be Jeff Sills. When you’re not accustomed to Jeff, he helps Ken on TNL and does the present’s Drone Information section, one of many first sorts of drone information we had ever seen.
Ken and Jeff went to highschool collectively. I might have appreciated to discover that additional, however Ken is pretty tight-lipped typically.
That’s some dedication and dedication to a friendship there. Particularly for those who ever watched the TNL Drone Information section.
Then once more, if you understand Ken, you wouldn’t anticipate something much less. So, I’m positive Jeff’s alright! I just lately tried that chair out myself and Jeff, we’d like you brother. It’s tougher than it appears, and I’ll go away it at that.
The Interview
I just lately sat down with Ken and interviewed him for this very article. Ken’s a bit squirrelly in terms of speaking about himself or his previous.
I initially tried this by sending an electronic mail with the questions written out. The concept was to simply have Ken fill within the solutions and ship it again.
We really dwell about fours aside, and after some time, it grew to become clear if it was to get carried out, another measure could be wanted, so I sat him down in entrance of a digital camera, since simply sending him an electronic mail with questions simply wasn’t going to work, not for Ken.
Ken shall be Ken in any case.
The interview solely performs a small half in any article as there’s at all times 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 via.
» 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 need him to be.
It does go away one to surprise if residing so near NASA might 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 surprise. Ken has a sister who’s three years his youthful and so they grew up in a single-parent residence for essentially the most half.
He moved quite a bit rising up. He said that 17 occasions, and it’s right here that the pleasant, get-along-with-everyone Ken type of got here from.
You may see that; it was this have to make mates shortly and be noticeable but unnoticeable on the identical time, via this era, that might have stored bullies and such at bay. It’s exhausting to punch a man who’s making you chortle, you understand.
Ken offers with a lot of life’s adversities with humor. Rising up transferring from one place to a different may very well be robust on any child. I’ve spoken with Ken’s mom, who is solely as candy as could be.
You may inform she did her finest to offer 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 plenty of audio gear rising up, as his grandfather would use recording gadgets 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 Acquired My Half 107. Now what?
Though he was effectively on his means, radio started in earnest for Ken in highschool. He took on a tech and internet hosting place at WHHS a Excessive College Station, out of Haverford PA.
An fascinating 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 faculty. These have been very typical on the time and have been consistently being marketed. This sooner or later 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 simple one both. Ken himself described it as idyllic, which looks like extra deflection than the rest.
Having discovered that he might simply make mates 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 wished to be – a radio host. And for essentially the most half, rising up, it appears he centered on that aim, discovering himself and his character alongside the best way.
Now, when making an attempt to glean data from Ken, about Ken, it’s like herding cats. Ken is a grasp of taking part in either side of the coin. Being keen and but reluctant all at this identical time.
I really feel that we did achieve some good perception into the younger Ken Heron although. Typically, it’s what’s unsaid in an announcement that provides away essentially the most.
Whereas speaking with Ken, you may clearly see that it’s considerably uncomfortable for him to look again. It’s because Ken, being Ken, is at all times 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 may solely think about that in that point there have been many ups and downs. When you’re not all that accustomed to what’s been happening in radio in recently, issues have been a bit topsy, turvy, particularly via 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 reveals 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: How one can 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 have to warn you, within the interview, Ken regales us with essentially the most memorable second from radio. It is vitally adult-themed, so right here’s your warning about that.
What comes throughout essentially the most is the hearth of ardour Ken has for the work he does. How he pushes boundaries and the mindset and dedication 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 for those who 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’d have been listening to Beaner and Ken within the mornings. On this present, Ken labored alongside Man Patton, higher often known 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 it is a sore spot for Ken.
The present was canceled when the unique station was purchased by Citadel Broadcasting and adjusted 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 few years at 98.3 Paducah on the JC and Ken present, one other morning present delivering on pure Ken content material.
After all, all of us keep in mind Kelly Inexperienced. Kelly is one other of Ken’s longtime mates and work companions who was part of the Kelly and Ken present on 100.9 The Farm. Additionally, the situation of that Purple Barn.
Kelly can be a long-time co-host for TNL, and nonetheless will co-host alongside Ken once in a while. 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 scenario and a format change, leaving Ken in a short lived lurch, his place at 98.3. Effectively, it’s Ken. So, the sky’s the restrict!
Within the final a part of the interview, we see a few of the actual Ken, and a few of the issues that he’s captivated with and couldn’t have hoped for higher. We coated extra of Ken’s YouTube life and he reveals some issues!
» MORE: Half 4: How one can Get Your Drone Enterprise Off the Floor
Ken Heron’s YouTube Life
Now we come to the half largely associated to drones and what Ken Heron has dropped at us everywhere in the years.
Within the third a part of the interview, we mentioned Ken Heron and his YouTube Channel.
We cowl how he harnesses the ability of social media and know-how to share his data, creativity, and, in fact, his love for aerial pictures, scratch that, I imply Aerial Videography.
As it’s possible you’ll not have been conscious, Ken’s probably not a photographer and by no means has been. His passions have at all times been that of audio and video. He even will get somewhat heated within the interview, once I strive hitting this level residence.
What the video doesn’t present is we’ve had many conversations on capturing methods and lighting and different points of nonetheless pictures in addition to videography, so, there’s a little bit of background that section doesn’t make clear. It was a little bit of a unclean pool on my half. His response, nevertheless, 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 like my very own friendship with Ken, Ken knew for some time the one who planted the TNL seed, and he performed a big position 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 Dwell. Now, I’ve little question that we might know of Ken Heron even when he by no means began doing the weekly present TNL. He has that form of character.
Nevertheless, TNL might be what garnered him the place he holds right this moment. 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 at all times 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 all the pieces in between, it’s all Ken.
As soon as once more, Ken’s actions present a drive and untamed dedication any of us could 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 right this moment.
After all, Ken, he’s too modest to let that blow his ego out.
That and for those who have been to ask, he would deny being an influencer in any respect. Which is whole BLEEP! It’s this modesty that’s considered one of his extra enduring qualities, as he does preserve a degree head as to his celeb.
» MORE: Half 6: Is Proudly owning My Personal Drone Enterprise Price 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 unimaginable if it was.
Let’s be sincere: Ken Heron is known, however not within the Hollywood sense of well-known. Inside our drone neighborhood, although, 75%, if not even a bit larger, of any drone pilots you point out the title Ken Heron to, they’ll know precisely who you’re speaking about.
They might be followers, or they could not like Ken a lot in any respect. Most are within the center. They recognize 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’s it!
We do be taught a bit extra about Ken’s inspiration for entering into droning. He wished a specific shot of the Massive Purple Barn Workplace the place he labored. It was right here that he did the Kelly and Ken present.
After all, this was means 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 wished to recreate it.
Ken additionally brings up a extremely good level as effectively about superpowers and the way drones give everybody the ability 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 means, he’s completely right. 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 effectively.
Though we’re not all going to run off and grow to be profitable radio present hosts, we will all get a drone and fly.
» MORE: Half 7: The Greatest 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 technique of gathering information and writing this text, I nonetheless couldn’t inform you what makes the person tick. I don’t suppose he might actually inform you that himself.
The explanation for that’s there’s no finish to the journey for Ken Heron. There’s tomorrow, positive. For Ken, although, it appears to be far more in regards to the journey than any vacation spot.
He finds the very best in all the pieces 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 hear 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 effectively. I jest.
Ken is likely one of the most expert drone pilots you could find, and I’ve realized fairly a bit from him, in particular person and from his movies. As I do know a lot of you could have as effectively.
Very like 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 feel that was a particularly reasonable and sincere 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 really is pleased within the now of issues, and the long run will deliver what it does.
Residing within the now as a substitute of the previous or the long run – if solely the remainder of us lived that far more usually, we may very well be somewhat extra like Ken. Now that’s not so dangerous!
Fly Protected! Fly All the time, All the time Fly Protected!
» MORE: Half 8: Dronelife Endlessly!
