Smokestack Lightnin’ first aired in September, 1991, as the brainchild of Paul Newnum, its founder, and two other equally insane visionaries, Tommy Thompson and Marvin Rooks, who all helped create and nurture the show’s sound. Soon, Rob McKinney, the fourth “founding member” and tech man extraordinaire, brought his radio and musical experience to the show. Now, over thirty years later, the show has expanded to an international audience from the United States, Europe, and Canada, to the cities and outback of Australia and innumerable points in between.
In the picture are (L to R) Paul Newnum, Marvin Rooks, Tommy Thompson and Rob McKinney from back in the begining.
Who we are
Paul Newnum
Paul Newnum is the mastermind and one of the founders of the show. It was Paul’s love of the blues, connections to radio in the Orlando market and smooth voice that has made him a listener favorite.
Rob McKinney
Rob McKinney joined the Smokestack Team after a couple of years. He had been working in I.T. and in commercial radio since 1985. When the show started streaming he was a natural fit. Rob programs and produces the show as well.
Thank you to these folks for their past efforts:
Norman “Tommy” Thompson
Marvin “Marv R” Rooks
Larry “Web Comedian” Anderson