10 Questions with ... Jayme Summers

1.     How in the world did you even get into radio?

The short answer is my stint in TV was way too stressful, and I thought radio would be more relaxed.  The long answer… totally God because I really should not be here. I took a photography class in high school, and that evidently is the sole qualification of a local small-town videographer for a southern gospel video show. As I remember, I worked there for a month and never got paid, so it was time to move on. The experience did give me enough of a resume to be trained as a videographer for the morning and midday news in Savannah, Georgia. After years of videography and directing a weekend country music video show, I needed something that was not so stressful. A local country station needed a Board Op, and 25 years later, I'm still in radio. 

2.     What's one thing you wish you had known about radio when you first started?

Much like life, in my younger radio years I felt I needed to live up to what everyone expected my life to look like. If I could go back, I would have been much more authentic with my life and struggles. There were so many times when I really struggled, but I didn't share it. I felt that I would be burdening my listeners, but it never occurred to me that they might be going through the same thing. I am much more confident now, and I really wish I had loved and accepted myself a lot sooner.

3.     How has God pulled you out of your comfort zone?

No is a complete sentence. No is not mean. I spent so many years feeling that I had to have a good reason and I had to explain my "No". God has challenged me to hold my tongue in that way. To be able to say "No" and know that no further explanation is needed. It is a boundary that a friend taught me by example, and that I very much needed in my life. 

4.     Some great advice you recently received is…  

"You already have no in your pocket." A grandma said this to me one day, and it has challenged me to ask the hard questions, because what do I have to lose if they say no? I already have "no" in my pocket by not asking. 

5.     Tell us about someone who you really respect and why?

I feel like a broken record saying Jeremy and Caryn Cruise. They taught me so much about patience, they hold me accountable, they're amazing leaders, and the best friends I could ask for. Aside from them, I really respect my husband and my kids. They are my biggest advocates. I have been able to do a job that I really love. They were willing to help me at events and take their Legos and bracelet makers to the studio and play quietly so mom could do her show. My husband could care less about a concert but will tag along any time I ask just to get that extra time with me. The struggle is real! Seriously, they could have asked me to do something else a long time ago and I would have. They were the first ones to see my potential and that is the greatest gift a girl can be given. 

6.     What's one thing you try to do when life gets hard?

Step away and breathe. I just need a moment to gather my thoughts and organize them. My prayers in those moments are "God I need your help to stay focused on what YOU would have me do."

7.     What's something about you that would surprise most people? 

Caryn says it is the fact that I don't color my hair, she is still amazed by that. I am a Texas girl, born and raised. I have also eaten a mostly vegan diet for 2 years (Nothing serious. If I want a steak, or fish is all that is available, believe that this girl is not going to go hungry.) It does get a little awkward going home and trying to order anything "just vegetables". My last incident, I tried to order fajitas with no meat. No meat is what threw that poor girl for a loop. I kept saying "just vegetables, no meat". She would respond with "ok, beef or chicken". I got the veggie fajitas after my cousin stepped in to proclaim that I was from Nashville, and I was weird. That and a manager got involved and had to explain to the entire cooking staff that I did not want meat. They were horrified. In my home state, meat is not an option.  

8.     What's your go to song when the windows are down and you're driving on the highway?

If I need a reminder, it's Ben Fuller – Who I Am. If I need a pick me up, Needtobreathe – Happiness. If I need to dance it out, Family Force 5. You can't be sad after you have cranked it like a Chainsaw or hit the Cray button. Just sayin'. 

9.     In three words describe your ideal vacation.

No cell service 

10. Tell us one thing that you bought recently that WASN'T on your grocery list.

That's a hard one, I am very intentional about purchasing that 5 lb bag of Twizzlers. I did mistakenly buy the largest bag of lavender known to man. Amazon's "16 oz" description can be a bit deceptive, it should really say "Upper torso sized bag of Lavender". Sidenote: If anyone would like lavender lemonade… I have your back.