10 Questions with ... Meg Summers

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started out doing a 3-hour weekend shift at WCLU (Lite 102.3) in Glasgow, Kentucky and eventually worked my way up to Program Director and Assistant Chief Operator during my six-year tenure there. This was back in my college days, where I also had a volunteer shift at Western Kentucky University's WHHR (Revolution 91.7). Edison Media Research named me one of their "30 Under 30" in 2008, and I started working for my amazing Tuscaloosa cluster back in 2009. I was originally a Promotions Director and Midday Maven, and my General Manager David DuBose gave me a chance to get back in the programming game in 2016 when I officially became Brand Manager. I signed on as the Co-Host of The Steve Shannon Morning Show on WFFN-FM (95.3 The Bear) in 2017 and have been dominating Tuscaloosa radio since. Sleep is overrated.

1. How did you fall in love with radio at Western Kentucky University studying to become an English teacher?

My love of radio began much earlier than my college days. My late grandfather was an avid HAM radio operator (and decorated U.S. Marine) and taught me pretty much everything I know about the technical side of this business. His call was WQ4R, and when we flipped to Alt 101.7 back in March, I selected the new call sign (WQRR) as a salute to him. I started college intending to become an English teacher, but I'd already been bitten by the radio bug. There's something electric about being behind the mic or in a studio--no amount of classic novels or dissertations can ever compete with it.

2. What led to the station flipping from Hot AC to Alternative at the end of March?

We looked closely at the Tuscaloosa market and thought critically about the real people who live and work here and realized that a vibrant community like this one needed an Alternative station. Sure, Tuscaloosa is a college town, but we also have an extremely active community filled with great people and an incredible array of local businesses. We wanted to create a station that is as unique as our city, and I think Alt 101.7 is destined for great things in Tuscaloosa.

3. Give us the 411 on the music and imaging on ALT 101.7, Tuscaloosa's New Alternative.

Alt 101.7 is Tuscaloosa's New Alternative -- and that's so much more than a simple positioning statement for me and my team. We are striving to give Tuscaloosa a true alternative to the same boring radio clichés that have disparaged so many people from listening to terrestrial radio. Our imaging reflects this vibe in a fresh, low-key way, and our music is literally the best in town (Shout out to Mike Stern and the Jacobs Media crew; they're the greatest consultants in the business for sure!). I can't tell you how many people have messaged me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram telling me how much they LOVE Alt 101.7. It's awesome to know that you're igniting a passion within the market, and even more so within people who weren't listening to radio anymore-- what we've created has brought them back to the mix, and I think that's invaluable to both programmers and advertisers.

4. Tell us about the station's on-air staff where you bring longtime Alternative Alabama roots to the ALT 101.7 airwaves.

Alt 101.7 has the most rad on-air lineup ever. We've got Monk on in the mornings, and he's such an integral part of the local music and business scene here in Tuscaloosa that he literally has a craft beer named after him: Band of Brothers' MonkontheRadio. I'm holding it down middays, and afternoon drive is hosted by Hurricane Shane. I remember listening to him on the legendary Alt rocker 107.7 The X out of Birmingham back in the day, so it's kind of like a dream come true to be working alongside someone who inspired me to get into the radio business.

5. What other sort of things make ALT 101.7 unique?

We're part of the greatest city in the Southeast (Roll Tide), and Alt 101.7 is all over it. I can't wait to be tailgating with the station this fall -- who else gets to do that? Townsquare Media is the greatest; they enable and encourage our being hyperlocal, which is so crucial to success. The Alt 101.7 staff is top-notch, and the music mix is banging; I think it's a great balance of today's new stars and Alt rock legends. I think we're also unique in that the station is managed by a woman in a typically male-dominated field.

6. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?

I'm like the Nick Saban of radio. The process matters; all the pieces matter -- whether that's music, imaging, coaching talent, or giving up a Saturday to do a free remote for a local event. You've got to relentlessly strive for perfection regardless of the task at hand. I strive to think critically about every aspect of what I do, why I am doing it, and what I hope to achieve in doing so. I think another critical component of being a good programmer is being able to think of yourself as both creator and consumer, so I spend as much time as I can listening to Alt 101.7 on the air and through our stream. I'm sure my Type-A obsessive quest for perfection can be intimidating to some people, but hey --it works!

7. What is a typical day like for you as morning co-host on The Steve Shannon Morning Show and Brand Manager/middays on ALT 101.7?

My schedule is all kinds of whack, but I love it. I usually arrive to our building between 4:30am and 5am and work on programming tasks and show prep until 6am when we kick off The Steve Shannon Morning Show. Those five hours always fly by, as working with Steve is such a joy -- it's like hanging with your best friend for a couple of hours every morning. We have so much fun I often ask myself how I get paid to do what I do... after our show wraps, I get to #grind on Alt 101.7. I work until it's time to visit the nemesis of every suburban parent (elementary school car rider line), and then I get to spend time with my daughter. I'm such an overachiever that I end up working from home until like 6pm. most days, but again: sleep is overrated -- and I'm here for a good time, not a long time.

8. Your bio states you love college football, sweet tea, supporting local businesses, and pie. Explain your passions.

First of all, pie is a superior dessert delivery method. This is a fact. Cake icing is gross, and anyone who disagrees is immediately suspect in my book. I live in Alabama, so I basically came out of the womb drinking a bottle of sweet iced tea and spouting out SEC football stats. I try to live and shop local, as it's important to me that I spend my hard-earned money with people I know love Tuscaloosa as much as I do.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

I'd say caffeine, but let's be real: I can't live without my phone. Whether it's social media, work email, or the 67,957th meme at which I've chortled today, I need my phone to be connected to the world around me. Call me a stupid millennial if you must, but I gotta have my phone, man.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

I'm working on a novel -- no lie. I love writing and hope to have it finished within the next year or two.

What are your hobbies?

I'm an avid reader. I also like creative writing, and when I've got an extra burst of energy, I love trying new recipes.

What are weekends like for you and your five year old daughter?

She's a handful -- but in the best way. We swim, take trips to the park, read countless books, and play MarioKart as a family. She's an only child, and I just adore her.

First record ever purchased?

Fun story: my father is actually a preacher and for a time, my parents didn't allow me to listen to "secular" music. I saved my lunch money for like two weeks and bought The Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. I regret nothing and plead the Fifth about the whole "preacher's kid" thing...

First concert?

My first real-deal rock show was Pearl Jam at Lexington's Rupp Arena back in like 2003. My favorite show would be My Morning Jacket at Nashville's legendary Exit/In in 2004.

Favorite band of all-time?

Oh, man -- this is such a tough call. I used to follow My Morning Jacket around back in my college days, and as a Bowling Green kid, I have to rep Cage The Elephant. The Alabama girl in me says Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit or St. Paul and the Broken Bones, but... I'd have to say my favorite band of all-time would be Wilco or Radiohead.

Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in getting me to this point in my career. Thank you to my husband for showing eternal patience despite my erratic schedule, and most of all, thank you to Starbucks for opening at 5am every day. I'd die without you.