10 Questions with ... Garrett Hart

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I programmed the first full-time Album Rock station in the Erie, PA market. I have successfully programmed market leader Rock radio in small and large markets including WAPL/Appleton, WI and WDVE/Pittsburgh. I have programmed channels for Sirius and was liaison to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. I am currently doing the most challenging and rewarding work of my 44-year career.

• 1974-79 WMDI/Erie, PA - Programmed the first full-time AOR radio
• 1980-86 WGLU/Johnstown, PA - Programmed AOR radio
• 1986-87 WXXP/Pittsburgh - Mornings/Middays
• 1987-97 WAPL - Programmed market leader Album Rock radio
• 1997-00 WDVE - Programmed market leader Album Rock radio
• 2001-02 WRRK/WLTJ/Pittsburgh OM
• 2002-04 Radio consultant
• 2004-06 WRQK/Canton, OH - PD/MD
• 2007-08 Sirius PD of SIRIUS Gold and '60s Vibrations channels, Liaison to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland
• 2009-11 WAPS/WKTL - Consultant
• 2011-Preaent Creative Content Dir., The Summit, KIDJ-A, Rock and Recovery

1. How did you become interested in radio?

My older brothers turned me on to rock and roll in the '60s. Motown, Beach Boys, British Invasion Psychedelic Rock ... I was hooked.

2. After many years in commercial radio, how do you like being on the Noncomm side?

The best way to put it is "Freedom." Our sources of support are foundations, underwriting and membership. This business model frees the creative team to develop unique and surprising radio for people who are just as passionate about new music as we are. We are free to create HD and streaming channels focusing on specific groups in the population that are underserved by commercial radio programming.

3. From your perspective, how has the musical personality of the station changed since Brad Savage came on board as PD?

Brad is a music lover and a radio geek. We have a new energy and connection to the music and our members/listeners. Brad has led us to new engagement with the music industry, local musicians and artists, and our local community politicians, service organizations and advocacy groups. It's a powerful combination that makes the radio station a destination for music and a serious partner in working to improve community awareness and the quality of life in Akron/Youngstown and the Northeast Ohio region.

4. I am many years clean and sober and have always admired the concept of Rock & Recovery. Tell us how the idea came about.

It started with a community assessment of strengths and vulnerabilities of the services offered to the community commissioned by the county and local health organizations. One of the populations at risk was kids 7-13. The Summit GM, Tommy Bruno, offered me a challenge to develop a music channel for kids that was unique and fun. I created our KIDJAM radio channel. It started streaming on January 1st, 2011. I focused on tweens with clean current pop songs and classic pop tunes. The secret sauce in between songs is kids talking to kids about how to handle a bully, exercise, good habits in eating, sleeping, and other aspects of self-care. The idea is for kids to celebrate harmony in the music and in their relationships with family, friends, school and community. We are endorsed by Akron Public Schools, Akron Children's Hospital and The Boys and Girls Club in the area. That success led to developing another streaming channel: KIDJAMradio.com

I learned that Akron is the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous. That was the start of a concept for our streaming channel Rock and Recovery in 2011 for people experiencing recovery from addiction, trauma and mental health disruptions. The rock music is inspirational not religious, the messages are positive but not preachy. Rock and Recovery is endorsed and supported by local and regional recovery service organizations as well as county health boards in Northeast Ohio. Rock and Recovery debuted as a nightly three-hour show of music and messages on The Summit in Akron and Youngstown in 2012. The streaming channel and nightly show are gateways to our website with dozens of full-length interviews and other resources for the recovery community. We have thousands of Facebook "likes" and a very active Twitter following. Check it out at rockandrecovery.com

5. What do you feature on the show each night?

We play upbeat rock songs including Classic Rck, Alternative, Triple A, R&B and Country songs. Between songs, we offer messages of hope and insight to the listeners and a reminder that they are not alone. We have "Recovery Minutes" that are excerpts from long-form interviews with musicians, sports figures, therapists, case workers and individuals in recovery telling us how they work their recovery every day. We also have a brief segment called "My Recovery Rocks," where a person shares the act or thought that is the most important part of their recovery. We honor the traditions of the Anonymous groups and protect the identities of our contributors at their request.

6. Besides airing each night from 10p-1a on The Summit, what does the streaming channel have to offer?

The streaming channel's value is that it's immediate and available anywhere. We have a free app that allows for access on demand. The streaming channel is programmed separately from our broadcast show and includes our unique mix of songs, Recovery Minutes and other features to act as a companion for anyone in a program, fellowship or just someone who wants a safe place for listening and positive reflection.

We are both a community and an authentic community resource. We enjoy an active local following and we have people listening all over the country as well.

7. I imagine this allows you and station to reach out the community in a number of different ways. Tell us about that?

There are numerous local and regional services and events that we support. One of our most important events occurs June 8th-9th in Akron. We set up a performance space near the Gate lodge of The Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. Local musicians share their songs and stories of recovery and resilience.

We are on site for community awareness events, symposiums, memorial races and Walk/runs, rallies, lunches, dinners, and award ceremonies. We support these events through messages during our Rock and Recovery show and throughout the day on The Summit. The contacts we make through these events become the sources for interviews and other authentic content for the channel and website.

8. What do you view as the most important issues facing public radio today?

To raise awareness, remove stigma and offer hope to our communities coping with recovery from addiction, trauma and mental health disruptions. Ask yourself, "Do you know someone, love someone or are you someone in recovery from addiction, trauma or mental health disruption?"

9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Regardless of the circumstances of my departure, I left radio stations better positioned for continued success than when I arrived.

10. Fill in the blanks: I can't make it through the day without ...

... the love and support of my wife, Margaret, and our son, Matt.

Last non-industry job:

Plumber's laborer.

First record ever purchased:

The Rolling Stones, Big Hits High Tide and Green Grass

First concert:

Iron Butterfly and Canned Heat

Favorite band of all-time:

The Who

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

I have fun preparing healthy meals for my family.