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10 Questions with ... Hayley St. John
July 13, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. The Buzz is an ALT-leaning station with a few surprises. You’ll hear Pearl Jam, Linkin Park, and Twenty One Pilots, but we’ll sprinkle in a Zeppelin song every once in a while, or throw in Metallica. Rock is a wide-ranging genre with so many different sounds, so we want to have that variety, but still ultimately be an ALT station.
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
It all started in 2007 as a board op/part time on-air at KQDJ 1400 AM/KYNU 95.5 FM in my hometown of Jamestown, ND. After moving to Nashville in 2011, I began my on-air journey with Cromwell Media in 2013 as an overnight host, moved to nights and digital/social media coordinator for five years, and am now hosting afternoon drive while maintaining digital and APD duties.
1. You grew up in radio with your mom. Tell us about what that was like and how you became fascinated with radio?
Radio has been in my life as long as I can remember, and it makes up a lot of my childhood memories! My mom has been in radio since before I was born (still is!), and at the time, she worked the night shift at a radio station in Devils Lake, ND, and there were many nights that she would take me and my older sister to work with her. I remember that it never got old. It was always mesmerizing to me. She had a microphone to the whole city! I’m grateful for those memories, and radio was something that I always wanted to do for this reason. When I turned 16, I started working at a radio station in my hometown and I’ve been behind the mic ever since!
2. Last year you added APD duties at The Buzz. What is a typical workday like for you?
I try to balance my digital/social media, on-air, and APD duties equally and give them all the same amount of love. I’ll start with using daily and local news for blogs and show prep, discuss music and listen to new songs with our PD, and be on the air live from 3-7!
3. Give us the 411 on 102.9 The Buzz – Nashville’s Rock Station and how do you navigate in the ALT lane?
The Buzz is an ALT-leaning station with a few surprises. You’ll hear Pearl Jam, Linkin Park, and Twenty One Pilots, but we’ll sprinkle in a Zeppelin song every once in a while, or throw in Metallica. Rock is a wide-ranging genre with so many different sounds, so we want to have that variety, but still ultimately be an ALT station.
4. Tell us about the Afternoon Buzz with Hayley St. John from 3-7p.
It’s a time to unwind, entertain the listener, and hopefully be the best part of their day. “Hey, you made it through the workday, now let’s jam!” My phone lines are always open, and I like to make them a part of the show. The more interaction, the better!
5. What do you love most about being on-air?
The freedom to be myself. I don’t have to act a certain way or sound a certain way, and I can just be me. If you hear a corny joke, then that was MY corny joke! I can use my own creativity to make my show my own.
6. You're a Graphic Design and Social Media fanatic. What is your favorite social media platform and how do you use it?
Instagram is my personal favorite. There’s always a way to take an “ad” and creatively make it look like a normal picture. It’s a fun challenge to keep up with the social media trends.
7. What is your favorite part of your job?
The Buzz is an awesome station! Seeing it constantly grow and improve and being a part of the process is so rewarding. I’m doing what I love for a living and representing a great station while I do it. Even my bad days aren’t that bad.
8. Of all the things you’ve accomplished at The Buzz, what are you most proud of?
I’m proud of making a positive impact on some peoples’ lives. I’ve gotten a couple of letters, or people approaching me in person saying how they’ve been through hard times and hearing me on the radio has helped them through it. It’s mind-boggling, but in the best way. Comments like those have really opened my eyes. You just never know who you’re reaching and how much you can make a difference.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Strong black coffee!
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I’m a big adrenaline junkie and I love skydiving! I would do it all the time if I could. Bungee jumping is next on my bucket list!
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
Nashville has some great local breweries that I like to support! When in season, you can find me at a hockey game (Go Preds!), and I’m a new homeowner, so I love to have friends over and cook for a crowd.
What are your favorite places to eat in Nashville?
I’m gonna be completely stereotypical when I say this, but Hattie B’s totally lives up to the hype. Flying Saucer is a go-to, Rosepepper Cantina, Edley’s BBQ, and The Mockingbird when I’m feeling fancy.
First record ever purchased?
This is where I should lie and say it was something cool like Chili Peppers or Foo Fighters, but it was probably something ridiculous like Spice Girls. HA!
First concert?
Garth Brooks, and I was 18 months old! The perks of radio came at an early age too!
Favorite band of all-time?
Aerosmith. I WILL meet Steven one day. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness is a close second.
Favorite new band over the past year?
Dirty Honey. I was hooked since the first time I heard them just over a year ago. They’re incredibly underrated.
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