- Andy Collins (radio)
Infobox Celebrity
image_size = 150px
name = Andy Collins
caption =
birth_date =June 12 ,1971
birth_place =Springfield, Missouri
death_date =
death_place =
occupation = Americanradio personality
height =Michael Andre Collins Smith (born June 12, 1971), better known as Andy Collins, is an American
radio personality. Collins is currently on the air at99 Hit FM and1340 AM KADI inSpringfield, Missouri , where he has been since May 1998.Early Life & Career
Collins was born in
Springfield, Missouri to Jimmy and Linda Collins, who married in 1970. In the five years following, two of his siblings, James and Stephen, were born. When Collins was five years old, his parents divorced. In 1978, his mother married Duane Smith, who also had three children. In 1980, Collins and his brothers were adopted, and their last name was legally changed to Smith. In January 1986, Collins' mother and adopted father divorced. That November, she remarried; this time, to Randall Cramer. In 1987, Collins' sister, Danielle, was born. Two months later, 12-year-old Stephen died of pneumonia on January 13, 1988.Collins grew up in the Midwest, living for ten years in the small, remote town of
Milan, Kansas . During those years, Collins attended Argonia Public Schools inArgonia, Kansas . From there, Collins moved toWinfield, Kansas , where he graduated from Winfield High School in 1989. After several years of college and numerous odd jobs, Collins joined theUnited States Army in 1995. He was stationed for three years atFort Hood, Texas in theU.S. 4th Infantry Division . Collins was honorably discharged and awarded theArmy Commendation Medal in 1997 at the end his initial, three-year enlistment in the elite Military Intelligence Corps. He graduated fromEvangel University inSpringfield, MO in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications (Broadcast Journalism), a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences (Government), and certifications to teach both at the middle school and high school levels. In 2001, Collins earned further certification, to teach Special Education.Career In Brief
At
99 Hit FM , Collins serves as the station'sAmerican Idol correspondent, hosts the popular "Concert After the Concert" series, and co-hosts the KADI Shopping Show (formerlyValueline ), which is simulcast on1340 AM KADI .As an on-air personality, he has interviewed numerous
Contemporary Christian Music artists includingAmy Grant ,Michael W. Smith ,Steven Curtis Chapman ,Third Day ,Jars of Clay , andRich Mullins . Collins has also interviewed a number ofCountry music artists, includingLeAnn Rimes andJay DeMarcus ofRascal Flatts .Prior to
99 Hit FM , Collins was an on-air personality at six other radio stations inKansas ,Illinois , andMissouri , including commercial radio stations WDBR 103.7 FM, WTAX 1240 AM, KSOK 1280 AM, and KWKS 94.3 FM. He was also a disc jockey at college radio stations KSWC 100.3 FM (Southwestern College (Kansas) ) and KECC 98.1 FM (Evangel University ). During his time at KECC, Collins served in a number of position including station manager, music director, and program director. He also hosted the conservative talk show, "America: Under Fire".Personal Information
Andy and his wife, Amy, met at a coffee shop in
Springfield, Missouri in 2001. They have six children and attend James River Assembly inOzark, Missouri . In 2002, Collins enrolled in the Master's of Public Administration program atMissouri State University , graduating in December 2007.External links
* [http://www.myspace.com/macs417 Andy Collins' official myspace website]
* [http://www.99hitfm.com/ Official 99 Hit FM website]
* [http://www.1340kadi.com/ Official 1340 AM KADI website]
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