A MODERN DAY 'WAR OF THE WORLDS'

Dead Air: The Day the Music Died is a psychological thriller that plunges into the world of broadcast radio in Los Angeles, offering a gripping modern twist on the classic "War of the Worlds." Set in a single, tension-packed 24 hours, this novel chronicles the dramatic takeover of more than a hundred radio stations across five major U.S. cities by a mysterious group of pirates who hijack transmitter sites and unleash chaos.

When all FM stations under High Point Media's control in Los Angeles go eerily silent, Chief Engineer Mike Harris assumes it's an elaborate April Fool's prank. But the truth is far darker. As corporate headquarters and the FBI reveal that the same disruption has occurred in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Dallas, Mike and his colleagues are thrust into a race against time. The pirates, using advanced AI to generate chilling messages of terror, have weaponized the airwaves, and the dead silence soon gives way to broadcasts designed to incite panic and fear.

With public safety in jeopardy and the clock ticking, Station Manager Roy Longly, Program Director Gunner Jeffries, and Radio Personality Jackie Shure scramble to manage the crisis. They must rally their AM news station to provide vital information and keep their listeners informed, while grappling with their own fears. But as the situation spirals out of control and first responders are overwhelmed, it becomes clear that stopping the broadcasts is their only hope of averting disaster.

In a shocking, heart-stopping finale, Mike Harris is faced with a life-altering decision—one that will determine the fate of the stations, the city, and his own future.

Kelly Orchard is a second-generation broadcaster who began her career at the young age of 16 when her father launched their first of five radio stations. From the 1980s through the late 1990s, Kelly and her family built, owned, and operated several stations, including KLLY FM 95.3 ("Kelly95") in Bakersfield, California, a station her father named after her. 

In 1999, Kelly co-founded an FCC consulting firm with her father, where they conducted 'mock' FCC inspections for radio and television stations. Over the next 20 years, they visited thousands of broadcast facilities across the country.

The inspiration for Dead Air: The Day the Music Died emerged during Kelly’s work inspecting radio stations. After her father's passing in 2023, this novel became a deeply personal passion project, dedicated to honoring his legacy and their shared career in broadcasting.

In addition to Dead Air, Kelly is the author of five non-fiction self-help books, including Heart Lessons, a prescriptive memoir on overcoming heart failure, and the Apple A Day series, which offers daily wisdom for personal growth and success.

Kelly is also a licensed psychotherapist, having contributed extensively to topics like psychology, mental health, organizational leadership, and FCC compliance in various radio trade publications.