10 Questions with ... Valerie Anderton

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I got my start at WKDF/Nashville, doing anything and everything there. I moved on to WBUZ/Nashville and WQZQ/Nashville, full time at both stations, eventually. After a few years, I went down the road to Knoxville, to WNFZ for 10 years, then moved down the hall to WJXB, where I’m close to 10 years already.

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

I was live at night on the Rock station and voicetracked the midday on the Top 40 – I was very new to radio at the time. It was interesting, but I AM very grateful for my time there.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

It sounds so cliché, but I just always wanted to do it. There were some legendary Nashville personalities that I really looked up to, like Coyote McCloud, but I think the bug really bit me on a senior trip to the beach.

3. You’ve been at B for 9 years now. What is different about the AC format between then and now?

Can’t believe that it’s 9 already (!) but wow, the B has really gone through many transformations from my time in this building. When I started on B97.5, we had “the no repeat workday” with no currents, very gold based, a lot slower. Now, we are way more current and also way more uptempo.

4. No two stations in the format really sound the same these days. How do you know when a “current” is ready for the station?

It’s really song by song. Some are just huge and you wanna get on it, but we aren’t in a big rush to add something each week. Some songs we may play with and decide it’s just not us, others might surprise you.

5. What did you learn about yourself as a performer navigating the pandemic?

We all learned a lot, right?! Eek. Well, we were all still in the building, when a lot of companies moved to home studios, etc., so we did have each other (with precautions) to figure out how to navigate through it all. We always try to be positive and fun, while being informative anyway, so I guess it made me realize that being positive was that much more important.

6. Who would be a “dream guest” to have sit in with you on your midday show?

Rick Springfield. Ha. My boss used to tease me about him even while we were working together on WNFZ, so it’s a thing.

7. What is the most fun about programming and doing your show when it’s time for all-holiday music?

I enjoy the holiday music, but I think the most fun part is the different promotions we do around the holidays.

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

That radio continues to have an impressive audience despite all of the different places you can get your music now.

9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?

WKDF was huge. I really admired Sheri Sexton, Joe Elvis and Big Dave. When I was younger I loved WRVW, back in the Y107 days. I mentioned Coyote McCloud earlier, he was so much fun. Gerry House was fantastic on WSIX.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

Well, I feel pretty lucky, because I got to work with a couple that I mentioned above. I looked up to Sheri Sexton, Big Dave and Joe Elvis (all at WKDF) so much and they were always so kind and helpful. Kidd Redd was the one who gave me my first on air break and he helped me along a lot. Also, my boss. Shane Cox and I have worked together for so long and he continues to be a mentor.

With an unlimited budget, who would you bring in for a special holiday season listener event?

Wow, that’s a great question, with so many possibilities…I’m gonna go with Bruno Mars. I feel like he appeals to most and how could you NOT have fun with Bruno?