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10 Questions with ... Kevin "Stryker" Summitt
July 25, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
As an only child, I began playing radio in my bedroom as a kid with a Fisher Price turntable and microphone and a stack of my parents' records. I started in college radio as a sophomore in high school with the help of an older friend. Got my first commercial radio job in 1993 with WMYU "U-102," playing "Continuous Light Rock And Good Time Oldies." Through the years I've worked for almost every frequency and format in town, including Classic Rock 103.5 WIMZ, Country powerhouse WIVK 107.7, NewsTalk 100.3, and a previous incarnation of my current station, Active Rock WNFZ "94.3 The X." In 2013 I went back to college radio at WUTK 90.3 while finishing my Communications Degree at The University Of Tennessee. I graduated in December 2015, two months after launching 94.3's current alternative rock incarnation, "94Z."
1. How did you become interested in radio?
As an only child, I had a lot of time to myself. I listened to a lot of radio, and after receiving a turntable with a built-in microphone for Christmas one year, I would sit in my room and play DJ, spinning my parents' records and announcing the songs while changing records. I would use a tape recorder to record my "shows."
2. What do you love most about working at 94Z?
Local ownership. Being able to walk a few steps down the hall and run my crazy ideas by the owner directly and not have to follow a set of someone else's rules that don't apply or make sense in our market. We have our fingers on the pulse of our market, and our listeners know and appreciate that.
3. Give us the 411 on the station.
WNFZ 94.3 first launched as an alternative station in Spring of 1993. Over the years, it evolved into more of an active rock station. After a brief stint in the talk radio format, it was relaunched as Knoxville's Only Alternative 94Z in October 2015, at a time when there was no active rock or alternative rock property in Knoxville. 94Z is an alternative station with a splash of active rock, primarily in the evening and overnight hours.
4. What's it like working with Jonathan Pirkle?
Organized chaos. He's the organized part, and I'm the chaos. (LOL!) Jonathan grew up in a radio family, and really knows his stuff. It's a lot of fun working with someone who has been there and done that but also keeps things fresh with new ideas and can adapt to the ever changing landscape of the industry. I learn something new every day working with Jonathan.
5. How would you describe your afternoon show?
My show is pretty music heavy, without a lot of talk. I try to keep the music going and try to keep listeners informed about what's going on with the music. I love to introduce and feature emerging artists to my listeners and supply enough backstory to make them relatable to the audience, other than just playing their current single. I'm constantly following music blogs and artists' social media pages looking for cool stories and other content about the bands to share with the listeners.
6. What is your favorite part of being on-air?
Evoking a response from listeners. I mean, it's one thing to promote a listener appreciation show and see a packed house, but back in December when we had the wildfires that devastated Gatlinburg, we immediately put out a call to action on behalf of the Red Cross and various emergency response agencies. Our GM Mike Howard took the station truck into Gatlinburg to give live reports and to see first-hand what the responders needed to battle the blaze and help the displaced residents. Within hours, we had truckloads of listener-donated supplies enroute to the affected areas while the big corporate stations were still planning meetings to organize their response. That's the difference local ownership can make, and that's what I love most about our community and the Volunteer Spirit of those that live here.
7. What is your typical workday like for you?
Well, we all wear a lot of hats around here, and I'm no exception. I usually start with emails that range from new music to trying to route an emerging band through Knoxville, to writing a proposal for a big giveaway, to seeking sponsorships for the big giveaway I just proposed. I'll usually grab a quick bite for lunch at my desk or while out calling on clients or potential clients. Then after lunch I'm browsing the web finding relevant current content for my afternoon drive program. There's a lot of multitasking. In between everything else I'll find some time to create graphics for upcoming events and promotions for our website and social media. And on pretty days I wash the remote truck because I'm the only one tall enough to reach the top.
8. How did you get the nick-name Stryker?
When I interviewed to be a DJ on 94.3 The X (the previous active rock incarnation of our station), I apparently wore a different style bowling shirt to each of the three interviews. The PD at the time, Shane Cox, noticed this and upon offering me the job, he suggested the name "Stryker." It was fine with me because A) he's the boss, and B) I've been called a lot worse. When we brought alternative rock back to 94.3, I used the same name so our previous listeners would recognize my name, as well as a few other DJs we hired that were also part of the prior incarnation of 94.3.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Coffee. No question.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
Despite my perpetual love affair with all types of music, I try as often as possible to backpack out into the middle of nowhere where I can spend a day or two listening to nothing but the sounds of nature.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
Usually we have some sort of station event going on, so I work a lot of weekends. But sometimes work takes me to festivals, which are a beautiful mix of work and play. Otherwise you can find me at home checking things off my "Honey Do" list, visiting my daughter who runs the college radio station at Middle Tennessee State University (WMTS 88.3 Murfreesboro), or out in a forest somewhere.
First record ever purchased?
Michael Jackson's Thriller.
First concert?
Thirty Years ago. 1987 Def Jam Tour with L.L. Cool J, Whodini, Public Enemy, and DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince.
Best concert in the past year?
Wow. I've been lucky to see so many great shows, but I've got to say U2 on The Joshua Tree anniversary tour. The band was as amazing as ever, and the visuals were out of this world. The Chili Peppers and their insanely creative lighting show on The Getaway Tour has to run a close second.
Favorite band of all-time?
Nearly impossible to answer. There are SO many bands that have held a special place in my heart at different times in my life. But if I had to pick one, I'd say The Beatles. Not just for their many hits, but for the way their sound fearlessly evolved throughout their brief career together. They covered so much ground in a span of just under seven years. Remarkable, if you think about it.
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