Sunday, July 2, 2006
Story last updated at 8:58 AM on Sunday, July 2, 2006
Living large

Radio host has big hopes for KC

By Sarah Swedberg
The X

Karen Mills, a local interior designer and radio host, would love to see Kansas City measure up to design meccas such as Los Angeles and New York.

But she knows that could take a few years, lots of work and many, many people.

Yet by offering a high-end design, lifestyle and home improvement radio newsmagazine called "Living Large" to Kansas Citians on Classical 1660 KXTR and News Radio 980 KMBZ, she hopes to jump start the City of Fountains in that direction.

Submitted Photo

"Interior design is huge in L.A., California, New York and even Dallas. But here in Kansas City, we're not considered a design mecca," Mills said. "So I don't know if I can single handily do that, but I am trying to take us in that direction, where Kansas City becomes a mecca of design. It is going to take a lot of work and a lot of people, but that's the direction I would like to see it go."

"Plus, there's a tremendous amount of creativity here and talent," added Andrew Ellenberg, "Living Large's" executive producer.

Great designers such as Tava Smiley and Rebecca Kolls grew up in Independence and Shawnee Mission, Kan. and now host shows on HGTV, Mills added. Both have also appeared on "Living Large."

Living Large signed on the air in August 2005 to 1660 KXTR.

Based on its success on KXTR, Ellenberg, said the show was selected to run on Entercom's flagship station, 980 KMBZ. It began airing the show January 8.

"It is a draw for women," he said. "Because news radio tends to skew towards men."

So by capturing that audience, both Mills and Ellenberg hope to reach approximately 250,000 listeners between the two radio stations, whether they be the average do-it-yourself man or woman to interior designers, home builders, developer-types and architects.

Throughout the one-hour show on KMBZ, Mills invites a national celebrity, usually for HGTV because of the shows alliance with it. She also brings on an expert or author, or both to talk, and then she asks someone local to participate, "for a little local flavor."

"The way we embrace the local media is important as well as the opportunity we give local home improvement and design and lifestyle experts to have a platform to showcase their expertise right along side some of the most respected celebrities in the country and season broadcasters," Ellenberg said.

Not only is the show offered at 10:30 a.m., Saturdays on Classical 1660 KXTR and at 1 p.m., Sundays on News Radio 980 KMBZ, but people can visit www.entercomkc.com/livinglarge/ to read up on various topics from Mills' weekly column "Designer Eye," as well as listen to past shows via podcast, video clips, audio clips and live streaming of interviews with celebrities, newsmakers and seasoned craftspeople.

"They can literally be in the store, surfing our site and get the information instantly," Ellenberg said.

Listeners can also sign up for "Living Large's" weekly newsletter on the Web site.

Upcoming shows on 980 KMBZ include: Gardens, featuring guest Rebecca Kolls, HGTV host of Rebecca's Garden, on July 2. Vacation Homes, featuring Karen McAloon, HGTV host of Design Remix, on July 9. Art, featuring Akiane, an 11-year-old child prodigy and painter, on July 16. Outdoor Style, possibly featuring Paul James of HGTV on July 23. Finishing out July, Restaurant Style on July 30.

Mills said she also takes requests from listeners of who they would like to listen to or what topics they would like addressed on the show.

"If someone wants to hear someone or to talk about a topic, I'll cover that topic," she said. "I am very in-tuned with what the listeners want. They just have to tell me. What do you want to hear about, what's hot to you, what are you interested in."