In a day of skepticism about the media, this Mover & Shaker has been a trusted voice over the airwaves in Northwest Arkansas, for over a quarter-century.

Kyla Kellams is a true journalist, in every since of the word. His voice, gentle, yet assertive. Making simple conversation, enlightening. He says, “I’ve always wanted to do this. I just have a natural curiosity. I love talking to people.”

Kellams has been the voice of KUAF for 29 years. Growing up in Mountain Home, Kellams first discovered his love for media, while watching the “King of Late Night”,  Johnny Carson. But it wasn’t until his senior year of high school, while working at a radio station, where his voice would be heard. “My boss, I was a part-timer, says, ‘Do you think you could do a play-by-play high school basketball game.’ Uh, yeah! I’ve been doing it in front of the TV as a kid. So I went and I did it..” says Kellams.

Kellams graduated from the University of Arkansas and moved to New Orleans for two years, returning home in 1989, joining KUAF. Kellams says,  “You know the reason why I never thought of doing something else…because I didn’t know what else it would be. But this is all I’ve ever done.”

We all have a purpose in lif eand for Kellams, his calling was realized while conducting an interview with a famed storyteller, with one piece of advice. “Everyone had been given something from their maker, that was a secret that you held in your hand and you held it tight. And if you held on to it tight enough, whether it was a dream or whatever, that’s what you could do. But it also resonated with me and that was sort of a confirmation like, ‘Yeah, this is what I want to do.” says Kellams.

Throughout the years, Kellams expanded his role at KUAF as host of his popular show “Ozarks At Large” in 1993. It gave him an outlet to be a storyteller, in his own way. Kellams says, “When I do a story about somebody…it’s a huge leap of faith that someone will say, ‘Yeah, I trust you to get this across in a way that the interview subject would say, ‘I feel that you’ve done a responsible job. And that I think is a huge responsibility.”

Kellams got a chance to relive a childhood dream in the early 2000’s, as the voice of Arkansas Women’s Basketball, along with Women’s Soccer. He also served as public address announcer for games at Barnhill Arena and Bud Walton Arena. “As a PA guy, you’re not the show, except for about 45 seconds to a minute and a half. And the introductions…those years were fun because you could feel the energy. And that was instant gratification, which you don’t get from radio.”

Staying true to what you believe in. Kellams voice continues to command an audience in our area — making a lifelong connection to the area. “It’s not the perfect place for everybody. But what I do really wish is that everyone can find a place that is for them, what NWA has been for me. Cause I have no desire to leave. This is where I want to be.” says Kellams.