Andy Collins (radio)
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| Andy Collins | |
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| Born | June 12, 1971 Springfield, Missouri |
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| Occupation | American radio personality |
Michael Andre Collins Smith (born June 12, 1971), better known as Andy Collins, is an American radio personality. Collins is currently on the air at 99 Hit FM and 1340 AM KADI in Springfield, Missouri, where he has been since May 1998.
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[edit] 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 in Argonia, Kansas. From there, Collins moved to Winfield, Kansas, where he graduated from Winfield High School in 1989. After several years of college and numerous odd jobs, Collins joined the United States Army in 1995. He was stationed for three years at Fort Hood, Texas in the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. Collins was honorably discharged and awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1997 at the end his initial, three-year enlistment in the elite Military Intelligence Corps. He graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, 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.
[edit] Career In Brief
At 99 Hit FM, Collins serves as the station's American Idol correspondent, hosts the popular "Concert After the Concert" series, and co-hosts the KADI Shopping Show (formerly Valueline), which is simulcast on 1340 AM KADI.
As an on-air personality, he has interviewed numerous Contemporary Christian Music artists including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, Jars of Clay, and Rich Mullins. Collins has also interviewed a number of Country music artists, including LeAnn Rimes and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts.
Prior to 99 Hit FM, Collins was an on-air personality at six other radio stations in Kansas, Illinois, and Missouri, 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".
[edit] 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 in Ozark, Missouri. In 2002, Collins enrolled in the Master's of Public Administration program at Missouri State University, graduating in December 2007.
