10 Questions with ... Stephanie Lesher

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I’m currently the Production Manager, Assistant Music Director, and a DJ at Lightning 100 in Nashville, TN. I started as an intern here in my last semester of college and after graduating from Belmont University in May 2016 with a degree in audio engineering, they hired me to do production, then eventually added on DJ and AMD in the last couple of years.

1. What got you interested in radio?

Funnily enough, I didn’t know I wanted to work in radio until I was already interning at Lightning 100. I wasn’t even planning on doing an internship my last semester of college, but I tagged along to an internship fair for the business school (not the major I was enrolled in) because my roommate didn’t want to go alone. Lightning 100 was the only company in there that was even remotely related to my life plans, so I just started chatting with them, ended up interviewing for an internship, got it, and loved every second of it.

2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

I grew up in the middle of nowhere about an hour outside of Philadelphia, so I don’t remember us getting a ton of stations out there but when I was 13, one of the ones that did reach us flipped formats and became a modern rock station (WRFF Radio 104.5). That was a big music discovery source for me through my teens - I remember it being fairly alternative leaning and it introduced me to a lot of my favorite bands and artists throughout high school.

3. You studied audio engineering in college, what led you to radio versus being a music producer?

Well, between my audio engineering classes and the couple of internships I did in recording studios I just realized I wasn’t obsessed enough to be a music producer. I was obsessed with listening to music but my peers who were succeeding were obsessed with technique, gear, getting the right sounds, etc. That was a pretty crushing realization for me for a while and I had no idea what I would do once I graduated until I got the internship at Lightning 100, and it all clicked!

4. You started at Lightning 100 as an intern, what did you learn that was most valuable during that experience?

I think the most valuable thing I learned during that internship was to say yes to everything. Take every learning opportunity, go to the shows, help out at events. You have to stand out!

5. Since you wear three hats at the station, Production Manager, AMD, and on-air talent, which of these is your favorite and why?

Assistant Music Director is definitely my favorite! I’m going to be bold here and say that most people get into radio because they want to play music that they’re passionate about so getting an opportunity to have a say in what the city of Nashville hears is really exciting.

6. How would you describe the music on the station?

Lightning’s music is so diverse and that’s what I love most about it. In an hour you’ll hear Rolling Stones, Japanese Breakfast, Brandi Carlile, The Cranberries, and Devon Gilfillian. Plus, we’re lucky enough to live in a city full of incredibly talented artists and bands that we are dedicated to playing alongside national artists. I really feel like there’s something for everyone - if you don’t like the song that’s currently playing, you’ll probably like the next one.

7. Tell us the process you, Keith, and Dan use to determine what songs get on the air?

This was just modified, and it’s been going really well! We started doing a weekly meeting with whatever staff members want to attend where we play about 25 songs we’re considering for rotation. Everyone rates the songs 1-10, plus we just talk about the music as we’re playing it and see what everyone’s liking and what they’re not. Then we have a smaller meeting with just Dan, Keith, and I where we take all of that information and make the final decisions on what’s in, what’s moving up, etc.

Also, a big part of this is our DJ Pick system. Every DJ gets to highlight a song on air throughout a day each week (for example, my day is Wednesday) and that is a great way to not only get it exposure to listeners but also to everyone else who works at the station.

8. What has been your biggest career highlight?

Hmmm…good question. Probably being made Assistant Music Director last year. The role really means the world to me. I feel honored to get to do this every day.

9. Now that things are opening up, what shows, or events are you looking forward to attending?

I’m seeing Dijon at the end of the month which I’m very excited for. Lucius at The Ryman in May because it’s such a special venue and I know their voices are going to sound incredible in there. I actually don’t have tickets for this one yet, but I really want to go see Florence + the Machine with King Princess in September!

10. Rumor has it you are a closet Taylor Swift fan. What questions would you ask her if you had the opportunity to interview her? (PS I am friends with her Publicist)

Ha-ha I’m not even sure you can call me closeted any more, though I definitely was at one point - life is way too short to feel too cool for certain artists though! Gosh, I’d probably just ask her if she wants to hang out? Or maybe a better question would be which of her albums she feels most represents her as an artist.

Last non-industry job: Hostess at The Pub here in Nashville (I had to wear a kilt to work).

First record ever purchased: So, the first CD I ever remember getting is Aaron’s Party (Come Get It) by Aaron Carter. I wore that thing out on my pink Hello Kitty boombox.

First concert: My parents took my brother and I to see Nickelback, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin at the Wachovia Center in Philly when I was about ten. The first show I went to on my own was A Day To Remember, August Burns Red, and Silverstein at The Electric Factory. (I went through a bit of a hardcore phase in high school.)

Favorite band of all-time: Oh gosh…there are so many…probably Modest Mouse.

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

Hiking, reading, and hanging out with my friends and family!