WRLT Lightning 100 is proud to announce that we are the FMQB Station of the Year! For the fourth time, we have won best Adult Album Alternative (AAA) Station throughout the country. Additionally, our very own Keith Coes and Dan Buckley have respectively won Music Director and Program Director of the year for the second time in a row. We are very proud to stand out as a station dedicated to bringing the very best to our community and would like to thank FMQB for this honor.
Friday Morning Quarterback (FMQB) is a music/radio industry magazine that serves not only as a music news outlet but as a resource for professionals looking to learn more about the industry and their fellow colleagues. Spanning across the US and Canada, one of the primary tools FMQB offers access to Mediabase, which collects the most played songs on radio and charts them according to genre. Each year, FMQB puts together an awesome four-day conference that exhibits powerful artists, keynote speakers, and panels. At this conference, there are a series of awards voted on by other industry partners such as record labels, promoters, managers, and other Triple-A stations. The conference as a whole is monumental summit of professionals exchanging ideas and showcasing music, making these awards a much appreciated “tip of the hat from industry partners and other radio stations,” says WRLT VP of Programming & Operations, Gary Kraen.
Triple-A stations have often been the renegades of radio, pushing music industry boundaries while still promoting the well-being of local and national musicians. At Lightning 100, this emphasis on innovation has been a priority for nearly 30 years. Previously known as “Lite 100”, the station used to focus on light rock and ratings. Under new ownership by Lester Turner in 1993, the station now had the opportunity to experiment with new programming techniques. However, it wasn’t until the mid-2000’s that parts of our now signature content were developed. Dan Buckley, our Program Director, recalls the pushback that Kraen received when he first began suggesting putting tracks from local, unsigned bands in rotation. Today, uncovering fantastic neighborhood talent is an integral part of the station’s mission. Supplying live content through remote broadcasts, sponsored concerts, and on-air interviews/performances, Lightning100 gets to present some of the best musicianship Nashville has to offer.
With specialty programming such as Nashville Sunday Night, the615, and Music Business Radio we do our best to cater to our wide listener base while still supporting local artists and producing exclusive content. Together with both on-air sponsorship and a variety of partnered events, Lightning 100 supports a variety of local businesses. With opportunities ranging from Live on the Green Music Festival to organized outdoor activities put on by our Team Lightning lifestyle initiative, we try to engage with the community in any way possible.
We enjoy showcasing new music to our listeners as well as a sense of pride for our amazing city. Being recognized by our industry peers makes us feel greatly appreciated, and we look forward to continuing our creative programming. We would be nothing without our listeners and the local talent that is brought to us each and every day so thank you to our listeners, artists, staff, and all those that helped make WRLT Lightning 100 the station of the year!