10 Questions with ... Katie Neal

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Katie Neal's Nashville-based midday show, "Katie & Company," can be heard on all 20 Audacy Country brands nationwide. In October 2022, Audacy struck a content distribution deal with United Stations Media Networks to also syndicate the show outside the company beginning January 1st. Prior to going national with her show in the fall of 2020, she had hosted middays on Audacy's then country WNSH/New York since 2017, working her way up to that position from weekends/swing. Neal is an Academy of Country Music Awards-nominated and Gracie Award-winning personality.

1. You'll be moving into a new studio space in Nashville's Hard Rock Café, with construction set to begin soon. What can you tell us about it, and what touches of your own were you able to add to make it feel like home for you and your team?

The new studio will feature three areas for content capture. Not only will there be a traditional console for interviewing, but also a comfortable, fireside chat space for long-form interviews, as well as a small, acoustic performance space. I love decorating, so I'm looking forward to digging into those details with the team in the coming weeks.

2. What was your reaction to being included in the deal with United Stations to expand your show's footprint outside of Audacy? It's quite a show of faith in you from Audacy.

I was both honored and shocked! I'm just a gal from Peoria, IL who's been doing a radio show from her closet the last two years. So, there's always a little bit of "Wait, me? Are you sure?"

3. Any word yet on new non-Audacy affiliates coming aboard as part of the United Stations deal?

Yes, I was thrilled that we had a handful of stations right out of the gate, including Southern Broadcasting's Mike Brandt, who had inquired about picking up the show a year and a half ago and jumped on board with two stations immediately, WWMR/Tupelo and WSLV/Huntsville.

4. What was your move like from NYC to Nashville last year? Any funny stories abut the transition?

The culture shock of moving from Illinois to New York was one thing. The reverse culture shock in another. I wouldn't say I've had any big "fish out of water" moments, but many small ones. You can't order takeout here at many places past 8 p.m., and you absolutely cannot find penne a la vodka on the menu at a single Italian restaurant in this town. However, you can't beat the space, and it's also fun to drive to the grocery store and be able to buy more than just what you can carry, then drive it all home!

5. What's your relationship like with Music Row (specifically Nashville labels and management teams)? Do you work with them directly on booking artists for your show's "Superstar Power Hour" and other features?

I think I have a great relationship with my label reps, who have all been extremely welcoming the last year. I'm in less direct contact with management on a regular basis, but have been trying to build up those relationships, as well as with PR teams. My professional resolution this year was to do more networking. So if you get an email from me to schedule lunch, I have no motive other than to get to know you!

6. Who programs the music on "Katie & Company," and to what extent are you able to weigh in on that?

Previously, that was John Foxx. But given his new ventures in NYC [as Brand Manager and morning host to WCBS-FM], we'll be finding a new point person. Our Audacy brand managers schedule about 85% of the music in the show locally. Affiliates schedule about 99%. I really only weigh in on the music that we use each week to highlight artists on the "Superstar Power Hour."

7. What up-and-coming Country artists are you most excited about, or who you think have the most potential for a breakthrough year in 2023?

I never feel quite qualified to answer this question, but I'll do my best! I think that Jelly Roll is going to continue to be a name you see everywhere. I'm a huge fan of all things Elle King, and am looking forward to her new album. Also, Zach Bryan, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, and I'm sure I'm forgetting several that will come to me in the middle of the night.

8. You have been a part of Audacy's six-year-old mental health programming special, "I'm Listening." Why do you think programming initiatives like this are more important than ever?

I can't say enough good things about "I'm Listening" and the team that makes it happen. Initiatives like this are so important, period. Normalizing conversations around mental health can't just be a trendy moment in time, it has to be a lasting cultural shift.

I've never met anyone whose life was not made exponentially better after investing (time or money) in their mental health. Anyone you meet who has had a breakthrough in therapy just wants to put everything they've learned and the tools that saved them on a billboard for others to see, myself included. We have a microphone and we should broadcast those tools and resources.

9. Your show is called "Katie & Company." Would you like to give a shout-out here to the other team members who comprise the "& company" and help make the show great?

I'm so glad you asked, there's an entire village. My producer, Dan Mulqueen, who handles everything that comes out of the speakers. Tim Roberts, who is in charge of managing my crazy. Mike Peterson, who helps me channel my crazy into relatable, 10-second clips. Andrea Burtscher, who handles all of our Country promotions and events. Sabrina Sergio and Gabe Mercer, who provide endless Gen Z social feedback for this aging millennial. And Clay Walker, who is a technical genius that without whom the show would not air. Also, John Foxx, Mark Hlavin and Monica Rivera!

10. What advice would you give others just starting out in radio and aspiring to have a career like yours?

Hold on, keep dreaming big and don't burn any bridges.

This industry is a wild ride, and none of us are sure what's going to happen tomorrow, but if you love it, stick it out! It's also an industry full of a lot of burnout; don't let anyone else's faded dreams influence yours. And it's a very small industry. Like, so small. Be nice, be professional. If you aren't, everyone will know.

What's one thing you'd like the Nashville music industry to know about you?

That I'm here! I think most people know by now, but if they don't, hi! I'm Katie.

Starting off the new year, any personal or professional resolutions you'd care to share?

Personally, I'm attempting to work out every day for a year. Lofty, I know. But just enough people have told me I'll fail that I think I've got enough spite in the tank to make it to at least June. Professionally, networking! Let's go to lunch.

What was your reaction to being inducted into Illinois State University's WZND-LP Broadcast Hall of Fame last April?

I was so excited! This is every college radio nerd's dream. I was truly honored when Deb Lesser called me, and was so grateful to be able to celebrate with all my WZND friends. Joe Brand at WGN worked all day, then drove from Chicago to be there!

You got engaged last summer. Congratulations! What have been the hardest and most fun parts of wedding planning so far?

Hardest part, getting started. I kind of thought my Pinterest board would just materialize after Shane popped the question. But, we finally have a venue in June of 2024, which Tim Roberts is going to be really upset about when he realizes it means I won't be at CMA Fest, but now I'll know if he read this or not. Now the fun part starts, details, vendors and THE DRESS.