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10 Questions with ... Misti Douglas
August 5, 2012
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1) Congratulations on your new job at ALL ACCESS- tell us what initially interested you in the job?
I had always used AllAccess.com as a resource throughout my career. It has been an amazing tool! My familiarity with the company on that level not only gave me respect for the company, their staff, and the product, but also let me know that AllAccess.com has stability as an employer and many opportunities within. I also felt that the job duties were aligned with many of my strengths. With my background in radio and personal emersion within the music business, the opportunity to interact with both of those industries fit perfectly within my interests.
2) What was it like growing up in Alaska?
At the time, it was kind of boring. Growing up it felt very isolated from the rest of the world. The nearest city is a 6 hour drive away. There are hundreds of miles of open space. There were not many franchise businesses up there and nearly everything at that time was locally-owned "mom and pop" stores. BUT, as I grew older, those are the things that I began to appreciate the most. It just took me a little while to get used to that lifestyle. People are very self-sufficient and tough. They wear Carharts and flannel year round. Nobody cares if you have the latest name-brands or not. Nobody cares if you drive the nicest vehicles or not. It was very relaxed, and I definitely developed a relaxed, easy-going and "everybody mind their own business" attitude as the result of growing up there.
3) What type of radio did you listen to growing up there?
Top 40 station KGOT was what I listened to the most as a pre-teen and teenager in Anchorage. That station coincidentally is where I began my radio career at the age of 17. I had THE COOLEST part-time job among anyone in my high-school, and all of my friends were envious. Being responsible at such a young age had its perks, but there were times that I missed out on a few things such as parties with friends, Prom, etc. My co-workers were awesome though, and to this day I still speak to them more often than old high school aquaintances anyway!
4) When did you first move to Nashville and what brought you here?
I moved to Nashville in 2004. Working primarily in country radio, I knew that Nashville, the Country Music Capital of the World, is the direction in which I needed to go to reach my career goals. After leaving Anchorage, I worked in a few other markets across the U.S. One of those markets was Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the radio station that I was working for, each air talent rotated concert introduction duties. On my turn I was given the assignment to introduce the Oak Ridge Boys at the Wagon Wheel Theater in Warsaw, Indiana. While there, I began chatting with their Production Manager/ Dobro and Acoustic Guitar player, Jeff. He and I hit it off and to make a long story short, I ended up moving to Nashville where we eventually got married. So while my career path was leading me to Nashville anyway, my personal life put that plan in fast-forward. I love it here! Alaska is gorgeous, and I miss it terribly, but Nashville is my adopted home and the next best place in my opinion.
5) Aside from radio, what are your other interests?
I love to travel... to anywhere and everywhere (even if it's just a short road trip). A lot of that comes from growing up in Anchorage. As I mentioned earlier, with the next city being 6 hours away, everyone usually tends to stay within their own community. So when I moved to the states, I drove EVERYWHERE by choice! I drove for 5 days from Anchorage to Flagstaff where I had been hired to do mid-days. I also drove round-trip from Flagstaff to Indianapolis TWICE one week during Christmas. I put a lot of miles on my car the first few years that I lived in the lower 48 (that's what Alaskans call the CONUS).
Aside from traveling, I paint. Most of my stuff is done with acrylics and is most often some sort of colorful music scene. A few recording studios around Nashville have some of my pieces, and I also donate many of them to various organizations and fundraisers.
I'm also a photographer. I've had the fortune to photograph several country stars on various projects that I have worked on.
And finally, I'm a big-time baseball mom! My son Chase plays baseball for his school and on a travel team. I adore going to his games, as well as taking in Nashville Sounds games. We also like to travel to Atlanta, Cincinnati, St. Louis or Chicago a few times a year for some MLB action.
6) Can you name a few mentors along the way in your career and what they instilled in you?
First and foremost, SEZY GEROW!!! She not only gave me my first job in radio, but taught me about the kind of person I want to be in this business. Sezy was the Promotions Director at the first cluster I worked for. She was so insanely creative, yet also very focused in what she needed to do. She taught me the fine balance between being whimsical and professional. She also made me realize that it's okay (and possible) to have FUN at work, as long as the work is still getting done. Every single person within my career path has taught me something or another. Some have been positive things, and there have been a few negative lessons as well. But Sezy will always stand out in my mind as a true mentor.
7) What do you do around Nashville for fun?
I have an 11 and 13 year old, so we do a lot of family-oriented activities. We go to the Adventure Science Center, Dave & Buster's, the movies, sporting events, boating on Old Hickory Lake, etc. When I'm just out with my friends, we like to head downtown and go watch some local bands or sing karaoke (very badly I might add).
8) Do you ever get back to Alaska?
Unfortunately, not often. I left Alaska in 2002 and have only visited twice in those 10 years. I went back in '06 for my class reunion, and last summer to show my kids where they were born. It's just so expensive to fly back home, especially if the whole family goes along.
9) We read in your bio that you love Italian food-are there any great spots around Nashville for Italian?
I love ANYWHERE that's Italian. Some of my favorite spots are Maggianos and The Spaghetti Factory though (I know, I know, they are chains, but I LIKE them!).
10) Was Country music your music of choice growing up?
Growing up I only listened to country and oldies because my grandfather raised me and was very strict. I honestly didn't realize that any other types of music even existed until I became a pre-teen.
Bonus Questions
1. Do you know Sarah Palin?
I always get asked that Ha Ha! No, but many of my friends do. My family does live in Wasilla so they often see her and her family around town. I have met John McCain a few times though while working in Flagstaff. He would stop by our radio station at KAFF Country so I ended up doing a couple random impromptu interviews with him.
2. Cat or Dogs?
Growing up I was a cat person. Now I'm a dog person. I have two dogs: an old, fat, grumpy, jumbo-sized daushund named Sampson (a rescue dog), and a young, hyper, sweet, energetic German Shepherd named Heidi. They are definitely an odd pair.
3. Pizza or sushi?
Pizza by default. I've never been brave enough to try sushi. I don't like sea food at all (with the exception of deep fried halibut).
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