TIMOTHY D. KEHR

 

Timothy D. Kehr has been a force in the Twin Cities music and television arenas for over 45 years.  The following are his radio and TV achievements.  Thanks to Mr. Kehr for providing this information.

MUSIC

Before he had graduated from high school in 1964, Timothy D. Kehr was a veteran music reviewer, booking agent for most of the Twin Cities top teen bands, and was friends with Danny and the Juniors, Bobby Darin, and the Rolling Stones, to name a few.
 

In college, he produced “Liar, Liar,” by the Castaways (Billboard #12). In 1967, he arranged and produced “Nowhere to Run” By the More-Tishans. He also published two music publications: the Music Scene and the Insider. He also hand picked the original members of the Litter (“Action Woman").
 

After graduation, Kehr went on to secure recording contracts for Crow (“Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games With Me”), Northern Light (“Minnesota”) and others.

In 1967 and '68, Kehr wrote the column "Musically Yours" for the local TV Digest.

From 1968-1980, Timothy D. Kehr worked for Columbia and Epic Records, Motown, 20th Century, and Polydor. During this time, Billboard Magazine named him executive of the year 1972 Through 1978. While at these companies, he was given numerous Gold Records for his contributions to the success of many hit records and artists.

In 1980, Timothy D. Kehr left the record business to open his own advertising agency in the Twin Cities. However, in 1983, he briefly returned to the music business to manage John Maddock, a children's entertainer and produce two albums by Maddock under the name of “Captain Cookie.” At the same time, Kehr also developed himself as a local television personality as a host of late night television from 1976-1986 and as a talent in television ads.

In 2005, Kehr was inducted into the Minnesota Rock/Country Hall of Fame. And in 2006, he was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Kehr is also a voting member of N.A.R.A.S. (the Grammy awards.)

In 2010, Kehr was inducted into the South Dakota Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

TELEVISION
 

Timothy D. Kehr’s on-air “debut” was Sunday, February 15, 1976 on WCCO-TV at 10:30AM. The program was “The Serials.” Kehr sold the idea to WCCO-TV on a trial program using a beginning episode in an Ace Drummond serial. The program drew more than 400 letters of praise and WCCO-TV put the program on the air for 13 weeks. “The Serials” was broadcast Saturdays at 2:00 PM beginning April 10, 1976.

Kehr’s next program on the air came on May 28, 1978 (Memorial Day weekend). He planned an all night movie party from midnight til 5:00AM on KSTP-TV, showing all 12 episodes of Flash Gordon. Kehr the emcee was broadcasting live from a car dealership. Kehr underwrote the program. The event was in a manner worthy of Los Angeles. There were searchlights, free popcorn, prizes, trivia questions and Timothy D. Kehr hosting between chapters of the movie. The Twin Cities had been used to midnight sign-offs prior to Kehr’s all night TV shows.

Kehr returned on all future holidays and on a regular basis on KSTP-TV through APRIL 30, 1982. On May 30, 1982, KSTP-TV attempted to duplicate Kehr’s unique shows with their own show and host. Kehr moved to WTCN-TV to compete against KSTP-TV. Kehr won.

In August, 1982, Kehr brought his shows which were now broadcast from 12 Midnight Til 2:00AM On KMSP-TV and broadcast them through 1987.

In 1988 and 1989, Kehr broadcast a half-hour show called “TV Classics” on KTMA-TV at 10:00PM every Friday night.

Since those early days of “Late Night Movies With Timothy D. Kehr,” Kehr has appeared in many radio and TV commercials which have been continuous from 1978 through today.

In 1980, Kehr started his own advertising agency, which is still in operation today. Two of Kehr’s more memorable commercials were his “Chicken Wings” and “Sober Cab” which aired for years.

Timothy D. Kehr was creator, host, producer, and underwriter of these programs, many of them broadcast years before there was any programming past midnight. Kehr also used his own library of public domain films to broadcast on his programs. Kehr is a true pioneer in Twin Cities broadcasting without ever receiving a paycheck from any station.