Why Today’s Big Country Music News Makes Me Feel Old – WBKR 92.5

I've been in this business for close to 40 years, and it's been quite an experience watching this industry adapt to the myriad technological changes that have taken place since I got started. I makes sense that a career in media would put one face to face with the kinds of mind-blowing advances that have been made over the last four decades.
But on a less "techie" note, meeting the people I've met was something I never anticipated at the beginning, and it's been a welcome privilege ever since. One reason I've gotten to meet and chat with some of country music's biggest stars is because they've visited this radio station. Most times it was because they had just signed their first deal and were doing a radio tour. Martina McBride is a good example. She was here back in the day, and she was sensational.
And in 1993, a regional promoter from now-defunct Capricorn Records brought that label's newest signee to WBKR. He was 26 years old at the time and very excited to get this whole thing started. The late Chuck Urban was our program director at the time, and he and I chatted with these guys for some time. You probably recognize the artist in question.
This was the debut single they were promoting. It would peak at #59 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart. Obviously, those peaks got a whole lot better.
Today, we got the news that Kenny Chesney, alongside country music legend June Carter Cash and super-producer Tony Brown have become the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Brown goes in as part of the non-musician category. Cash is a Veterans Era inductee while Chesney goes in as a Modern Era inductee.
When I began my career, I just knew I wanted to be on the air and had no idea that would one day mean I'd meet so many big name country artists. But it also never occurred to me that I'd meet a brand new artist where I work who would one day become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Does it make me feel old? Sure. But let's say "seasoned."
Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

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