Lynn Hernandez: Rocking the Dad Life
It’s been a decade since our last interview with local radio/TV personality and TulsaKids “Dad Rocks” blogger Lynn Hernandez, and a lot has changed over the years. His career, like many others, has evolved and changed substantially due to technology and social media. We’ll catch you up with his life as a single dad raising two kids, some career updates and what’s he’s currently working on.
TK: What has changed for you since 2014 when you were first interviewed for TulsaKids?
Lynn: A lot has changed over the years, including my career and family. My kids are now older. My son, Atticus, is 14 and my daughter, Angel, is 10. Raising them has been a lot of fun. They are both doing great! Personally, I have lost both my parents and my older brother, so that has been difficult because they were supportive in so many ways.
TK: What have you learned about being a dad over the past 10 years?
Lynn: Being a single dad is hard! But what I’ve learned over these last 10 years is to seek help! Especially if you’re like me and you don’t have any family or many friends in town that can help. What makes being a dad even harder is when [you have a difficult relationship with the other parent]. If that happens, you have very little recourse [other than legal options]. It can be very expensive, which affects other aspects of life. I’ve been through many parenting classes, countless therapists, multiple judges, several family law attorneys, one Guardian ad Litem, and a couple parenting coordinators, and the one thing they all have in common is they tell both parents to be polite and courteous to each other.
But, for me, like many divorced parents, it’s frustrating when [parents are not communicating, or one parent is not following advice or court orders]. That means ultimately working it out in court, which means legal fees, missed work and countless sleepless nights.
The 2014 TulsaKids cover with Lynn Hernandez and his kids, Atticus and Angel.
TK: Shed light into how your industry has changed over the years and the impact on you and your family.
Lynn: The pandemic changed a lot of things. Even though I was successful in radio at KMOD, during the pandemic, after 16 years of being there, I was let go. I immediately reached out to the competition, but the entire industry was on a hiring freeze. It took a year before they had an opening, and then I was able to join a new station in Tulsa. I’m the DJ on 103.3 The Eagle and K95.5 KRMG. I’ve also got a spot on tv with Fox23.
Technology has enabled me to be in other markets besides Tulsa; through the magic of radio, I’m on the 99.5 KISS Rocks radio station in San Antonio now and looking at expanding in other markets as well.
TK: What advice have you received that has helped you along the way that you’d like to pass along?
Lynn: Don’t burn bridges. You never know when you’ll cross paths with that person again. The radio industry is small, and you never know when you’re going to cross paths with someone again.
TK: Biggest joys as a dad?
Lynn: Just watching my kids grow up and hit their milestones in life. I’m very blessed that they are both doing so well. I love being a dad. I hope and pray that the milestones will continue to be good for them.
Photo by Makenzie Howard Photography
TK: You have one tattoo. What is it and what does it signify?
Lynn: The tattoo artist who gave me a tattoo did it while I was on the air, and I talked about it while getting the words “Mi Familia” on my arm. I have always highly regarded the family unit and with my love of music, “Mi Familia” by the band Vallejo seemed appropriate.
TK: What is one of your biggest challenges of being a single dad?
Lynn: Co-parenting can be challenging, although I have found an App that has helped with communication with the other parents called My Family Wizard. I highly recommend – it’s been so helpful.
I’ve shared some about my son’s struggles with friends and school in my blog. Don’t give up on your kids. Since my son is part Cherokee, we found a boarding school in Kingston, OK, that has been really great for him. Shout out to the Chickasaw Children’s Village for the support.
TK: As a face of Rocklahoma and a person in the music industry, can you talk about how people might perceive you as a parent? What kinds of questions/comments have you heard?
Lynn: I was given the moniker, The Unoffical Mayor of Rocklahoma, and it stuck. I love being a part of this event and looking forward to the upcoming event in September.
TK: What do your kids think about meeting the musicians and celebrities that you meet?
Lynn: My kids will go back and meet the band, but they are so bored. They don’t really get into all that.
TK: Do you have any regrets about your parenting?
Lynn: No, I don’t. I’ve done my best. I think that’s all we can do.
TK: What would your kids say about you as a dad?
Lynn: I’ve heard my daughter say that she loves how her dad has things planned and gets outside. My kids will tell you that Dad likes to go do stuff.
If you read My Dad Rocks TulsaKids blog, you’ll see my involvement around the community. I believe it’s really important to take the time to give back. I’ve made an effort to take my kids with me to different fundraising events because I want them to value their community and help others. I remember my dad taking me to volunteer and help others out. I didn’t love it at the time, but now I look back, and it was impactful.
TK: Tell us about the Tulsa Rocks podcast. How did it start and how is it going?
Lynn: After I left KMOD, a friend mentioned that I should start a podcast. I wondered if I could transfer everything I did as a public affairs director and make it into my own thing. Shortly after our conversation, someone contacted me about doing a blood drive, and when I said I wasn’t working at the radio station, she asked if I could still do the interview on my Facebook page. We had the interview, and it went really well.
My son helped me come up with the name, Tulsa Rocks. It has really taken off, and I enjoy it; I even have merchandise now. It’s about helping to raise funds for everything that makes Tulsa rock.
TK: What have you learned over the years?
Lynn: Don’t burn a bridge. You never know who you’re going to run into again. Get out there and build bridges. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others and network.
TK: What would be your advice for new parents?
Lynn: Reach out for advice. Sometimes guys want to try and figure it out. I reached out to many different people for advice and have used something from what I learned from everyone I reached out to. Don’t be afraid to ask.
TK: What do you share in your TulsaKids blog?
Lynn: I talk a lot about being a dad and my life on the radio. I also live a lot my life on social media. Even my dog Domino has his own TikTok account!
TK: What has been a cool moment for you in your career?
Lynn: I’ve listened to the band Rush since I was a kid, and I’ve seen them in concert more than any other band. I got to interview them, and it was such a cool experience.
TK: What’s next for you?
Lynn: Continuing to do what I enjoy and what I have a passion for!
Personally, making sure my kids continue to grow up well. My son is getting into sports, and my daughter is expanding her interests as well. Professionally, I’m looking at expanding what I’m currently doing on 103.3 The Eagle, K95.5 and 102.3 KRMG – and the new spot on Fox 23 talking about some of the fun Tulsa events coming up each weekend. I’m also looking to expand my footprint outside of Tulsa. Through technology and the magic of radio, I can easily be in other areas.
Lynn reveals who wore his “Tulsa Rocks” hat during an encore of their performance as well as the book he has on his nightstand on the Sharing Passion and Purpose Podcast. Listen on your favorite podcasting app or directly at SharingPassionandPurpose.com.
Check Lynn out online: tulsakids.com/dads-rock, Tulsa-Rocks.com
Read our 2014 interview with Lynn at tulsakids.com/meet-kmods-lynn-hernandez
Nancy A. Moore is a Public Relations Coordinator at Montreau, Adjunct Professor at Tulsa Community College, and has been writing for TulsaKids for almost 20 years.
