Annette Grady / Owner, DJ, Social Media, Public Relations

The Bluegrass Jamboree is a dream come true for me. Not only can I share the music I love, but I also get to meet so many wonderful people along the way.

How it all began:

As the granddaughter of a well-known bluegrass DJ in Eastern North Carolina, I was familiar with bluegrass, but I never thought it would be relevant. As Granddaddy approached his elder years, he felt no one would carry on the tradition of his radio program because his children and now his grandchildren seemed to have no interest in it.

In August ’07, I was dealing with a tragic situation and felt it best to keep busy. Working five days a week wasn’t enough, so I asked if I could sit at the radio station while Granddaddy was on the air. Glady, he obliged. I had forgotten about his ability to coerce someone into talking on the air. He put me on the spot and had me doing commercials on my first day in the studio. When he’d grab his book of sponsors and spin it around, I knew it was my turn. I’m not sure if he got more pleasure out of watching me squirm or knowing in his heart that the tradition would continue. All I know is I am blessed to have had the best hands-on training with someone I admired, looked up to and most of all, loved.

For two years, I enjoyed working with Chester Thompson, my Grandfather. August ’09 brought about another drastic change. Granddaddy passed away, but I knew a part of him would live on, at least for as long as I could continue to carry on the legacy of the radio show.

I worked in a couple of terrestrial radio stations and learned a lot. The most important thing I learned is if you have an idea, something God implanted in your heart, prepare for it to happen because it’s inevitable. I dreamed of having a station where this great music could always play. That’s all it was, a dream because I didn’t know how. When the word came that I was no longer permitted to do my show on the radio, I decided it had been a dream long enough, and it was time to take action.

I thank God, first and foremost, for the knowledge and patience I’ve acquired. I thank Him for His grace! Without it, I can’t say we’d be here today. He has also given me the best friends, old and new, who have encouraged, lifted, and helped me in so many ways to get the station where it is today. It’s still a work in progress, but isn’t everything?

If there’s nothing else to gain from this, gain hope! Nothing is final, regardless of how dark it may seem. You’re never alone, even when you feel you have no one. And when you use the gift God has given you, amazing things happen!! So, go out and live your dream; share your love. As always, God bless!!!