The secret is out, and let me tell you THAT it was a hard one to keep! Now I'm not even sure where to start.
I've worked in country radio for dang near 15 years, and each time I left a radio station it was typically to move to another city and start a new show with a new country station. This time the same thing began to happen. Offers started coming in from across the country, and I had to make a decision. Do I leave my fiance and move across the country just to make sure I'm working full time in country radio?
Well I was talking with an older gentleman one day at a coffee shop who I had just bumped into a few minutes prior. Why is it that we can tell strangers practically anything? Or is that just the southern girl in me? HA! But I shared with him my dilemma, and he simply said, "choose LOVE". It hit me like a shockwave straight to my heart. Choose Love! It seems so simple. I'm not sure if you believe in this sort of thing, but to me that was like the voice of God speaking to me at that moment telling me to relax. It was saying to me everything was going to be just fine and to have faith.
So I came home and shared with my sweet JMR about what the older gentleman had said to me. He smiled and held me tight and said, "baby we are ok. We do not want for anything. Our bills are paid. We are getting out of debt, AND we are saving money for our wedding. How many people can say that while unemployed"? Suddenly it hit me that I wasn't single DeeLee McGhee out there in the big bad world trying to make it on my own anymore. I'm part of a team....a strong team!
Then I began to relax and do the things that I love to do. I started working with my dance team, The Boot Boogie Babes. I continued to choreograph line dances. I picked back up my guitar and started playing and singing again. My fiance and I started playing music together. I AUDITIONED FOR THE VOICE!!!! WOW, my life is so full and rich! I began to forget about radio. Because my only option for radio now that I'm staying in Seattle is KMPS. We all know I'm a country girl...ain't no gettin' around that. Maybe I could do another format, but I'm not sure I would want to...???
Anyway, I gave up thinking I was going to be back on the air in Seattle. Then I would get these text messages from a "good radio buddy in Seattle who will remain nameless". He would push me to reach out to KMPS. I followed this person's recommendations, and I ended up at a coffee shop with the program director of KMPS, Ed Hill.
That was about two months ago. So you can see that I've been sitting on this news for a while. Ed asked if I would like to come work for KMPS part-time to start. He wants me to have a Saturday afternoon show from 2-7 PM. Plus he wants me to be what we call in radio a "SWING" person. This is someone who can fill in with any day part whether it's mornings, middays, afternoons, or at night when the full-time personalities need a vacation. So look out Seattle, you will be hearing me at all different times of the day!
Plus they have asked me to share some of my social networking techniques. You know I love to be social online, so I'm excited to get the chance to share my knowledge in that arena.
It's also really exciting to be working for CBS! This company is massive with radio, TV, magazine, world wide news, print and on and on. The opportunities with them are endless!
So will you be listening THIS Saturday?
I AM KMPS! That's so exciting to say! Plus the people who work for CBS are soooo nice! My first day in the building the Promotions Director, Alexandria stopped to say hello and seemed genuinely excited to welcome me to the team. She also complimented my social networking skills. ;) My new boss is a really nice guy too, AND he's a country guy and loves the music!
What a wonderful thing to be working for nice people! It really does make all the difference in the world!
This ol' country girl from Arkansas is feeling so blessed. As I write this tears are swelling in my eyes at your loyalty and encouragement. You never left my side, and it's because of y'all that I had the courage to keep moving forward one boot at a time. Thank you for accepting a southern gal into your Pacific Northwest hearts. I will never abuse that privilege. Country folk stick together, and that's what we've done here. We're stuck like glue y'all!
#CountrySisters4Life for my gals, and #CountryFamily4Life for all my sweet guys! I love ya like a country girl luuuuuuuves Luke Bryan, and that's some mighty deep love y'all! That's deeper than the holler. <3
If you have time, go over to KMPS and like their Facebook page.
Maybe drop them a line on how you feel. Here's the link:
KMPS FACEBOOK
Until I see you Saturday on KMPS,
Keep Those Boots Up Y'all!
