Page 65 - ION Indie Magazine JulyAugust 2020

Admittedly, this is an unusual article as I am beginning with a story
about myself. However, if you indulge me, you will understand why.

I began my radio show on a bit of a whim. I was approached by a
friend who had started an online radio show called "Fish Creek Radio”
and was looking for someone to do a traditional country music show.
Of course, he thought of me. Long story short, what I imagined would
be a part-time hobby turned out to be a life-changing adventure that
has lasted six years as of this writing.

When you think of a radio show, most think of just spinning songs for
listeners to hear. Not so, as interviews are just as important as the
songs you are playing. To date, I have conducted over 300 interviews,
ranging from country music legends to new artists just finding their
way in the genre. The very first to reach out to get his artists featured
on my show was then-publicist Kirt Webster. Now, Kirt has
represented some of the biggest names in country music, including
Hank Williams Jr., Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Kid
Rock, Carl Perkins, Gene Watson, Janie Fricke, and T. Graham Brown,
just to name a few. As my show was getting underway, Webster and
his team helped provide many of these great names as well as some
independent artists to appear on the program. Was I shocked that a
new show was getting such talent? Yes! But it showed the measure
of the man who would "bother" with a small internet station and
think outside the box when promoting his stable of artists.

Kirt recognized that many artists, who were no longer getting
mainstream airplay, were finding an all-new platform and audience
through this medium. It worked both ways. He was able to provide
an outlet to get his artists airplay and I was able to build up my
resume and give our listening audience something special. I have
never forgotten his generosity. Kirt told me once that he was given
some great advice early on in his career from the late Merle Kilgore,
who was now manager of Hank Williams Jr: "Treat everyone like they
are VIPs.” We met in person a couple of years ago when Kirt was
awarded the “Publicist of the Year” award from the North America
Country Music Associations International (for the second year in a
row, I might add), having also won the award in 2003, 2004, and
2005. I had the privilege to receive “DJ of the Year” that same year
and thanked Kirt first during my acceptance speech.

As a trademark of his business, Kirt is always hands-on with his
clients. He attends the events personally and prefers phone calls as
opposed to text and email, providing more of a personal touch. It is
an old school philosophy that has served him well in his 25 years in
the business.

I am fairly sure that Kirt Webster can't sing a note, but he is one of
the most important figures in the county music business. It was an
inauspicious beginning to the long and successful career he has had
as the "King of Country PR.”