Early on, Tommy Sablan learned the power of asking for help.

During his senior year of high school in 1982, Tommy was spotted by a counselor as he was about to skip school. The counselor asked him to stay instead and listen to a talk about the radio industry by Jonathan Lang.

After jumping at a chance to answer music trivia questions during the career talk, Tommy Sablan got an invite to the KBEST 95 station the next day. It was just the help he needed to be pointed toward his destiny.

The future radio producer was born and raised in Chula Vista by his mother. Going to a radio station seemed like a huge deal for him at that age.

“I was just a poor kid from Chula Vista. I remember my mom drove me in a 1977 Ford Maverick and took me to the radio station. I got a tour and I’ve been there ever since,” Tommy Sablan said on the Digital Hospitality podcast about getting a boost of help at the start of his career.

It was a big break that came because others were looking out for him and inspired him to be his best.

“They gave a kid a break.”

A Hall of Fame Producer and Person
The media producer and San Diego radio legend is someone we feel like we’ve known a decade, even though it’s only been a year since we first met Tommy Sablan at KUSI. In no short time he became a part of our extended Cali BBQ Media family.

The KUSI and iHeartRadio producer has a long history in media, and the accolades to show for it.

“Little Tommy” was the first producer inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, for example. That's a feat that only about 300 other industry personalities have accomplished.

“First and only. And radio’s been on for a very long time, from Bob Hope to Red Buttons to Burns and Allen to Casey Kasem," Tommy said on Digital Hospitality. “I say that with lots of pride.”

https://youtu.be/KCcDRm3NRfo

Tommy Sablan was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016 for his work as an on-air producer on the Jeff and Jer Show. He first started on that program in 1988.

Tommy is now in an elite class of radio legends, including Howard Stern and Rick Dees.

He currently produces the Coe Lewis show, which airs from 3-7 p.m. on 101.5 KGB in San Diego.

“The reason why the Jeff and Jer Show was so successful was our relationship with listeners,” Tommy Sablan told Shawn Walchef on Digital Hospitality. “Everything we are known for, everything people think of us for, it was listener related.”

Tommy’s career is inspiring, not just for what he’s accomplished in the industry, but because he’s used his platforms to help others.

For example: In only three hours, the Jeff and Jer morning show raised $1 million for the Red Cross to help fire victims.

That’s just one of so many different ways that Tommy has tried to help others.

Breaking and Entering Christmas
Each year, his Breaking and Entering Christmas campaign helps a family in need during the holiday season.

Cali BBQ was happy to help his efforts by providing our slow-smoked barbecue for the gathering of goodwill during Breaking and Entering Christmas 2019.

https://youtu.be/W6zBZY6lM5c

It was an emotional and impactful December morning. Watching Tommy Sablan orchestrate it all was beautiful and inspiring.