Juice Boxes With Chesney and Scripture with Bates – 28 Years in Country Radio

As I celebrate another work anniversary today, I thought I'd share a few of the fun, interesting, and downright weird things that have happened to me. Radio is an awesome way to make a living, and you get to do a variety of things - like wearing eggs while riding a snowmobile, running across a baseball field in a giant plastic hamster ball, or dressing in an inflatable costume to sumo wrestle with a coworker! But, by far, my favorite memories center around some celebrity encounters.

One of the coolest things about working in this business is meeting artists when they're new to the industry. I've shared Mexican food with Jeff Carson, shots of Jack Daniels with Daron Norwood, and had breakfast with Dude Mowry the day after his 21st birthday. Never heard of these guys? Yeah, sometimes that's the way it works. Country Music and one-hit-wonders go hand in hand.

Then there was the time I missed Brooks and Dunn. See, they stopped by to say hello while I was on vacation. The folks working in the offices didn't know that these two guys in cowboy hats were soon-to-be the hottest duo Country Music would ever see. A quick handshake and picture and then my coworkers gave them the 'here's your hat-what's your hurry' treatment. Whoops! Our policy about how to treat visiting artists changed drastically after that!

One of my favorite memories is of Jeff Bates and a car ride to the Bangor Auditorium. We were chatting about relationships (Jeff had been married five times, and I was on my second divorce). Suddenly, this usually flirtatious, incredibly charming man started quoting scripture, in that deep-voiced Southern accent. It was like listening to poetry. I remember thinking it just doesn't get any better than this!

But....then there was the time I shared his bed. No, it's not what you're thinking. Jeff was performing at the Piscataquis Valley Fair, but had to leave early because his father had passed away. My friend Diana, who was the promoter, offered to let me sleep in the bed they'd reserved for Jeff. Months later, she sent me a Bates CD, with an autograph: "Cindy, Thanks for sharing my bed. Love, Jeff Bates!"

I was in Nashville for a national Country Radio Seminar years ago, and a magician was trying to distract me while he slipped off my watch. I was determined not to get distracted, even when he said 'Oh look....is that Billy Ray Cyrus.' But when I heard the unmistakable voice of the Achy Breaky one behind me, saying "Is that my old friend Cindy Campbell? Hey, Cindy! How the hell are ya?" that was it...I was gone...and so was my watch. All I could think was 'how does Billy Ray know my NAME?' Turns out that my boss, Bob Potts, was standing at the back of the crowd and told Billy Ray to go freak me out. It worked!

Finally, there was that juice box with Chesney. I had flown to Myrtle Beach to see a showcase with the Country newcomer. On the way home, I was sitting on a flight that was basically a puddle-jumper from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte, when a passenger behind me started fussing that he wanted a window seat. The flight attendant asked if I would mind moving to the row behind me and sitting on the aisle. I glanced behind me and realized Kenny Chesney was sitting against the window. I'm not sure, but I think I may have vaulted over my seat! Kenny was friendly and gracious. And when they served us lemonade in juice boxes, we laughed together that we couldn't get the stupid straw in the top. Too bad that flight wasn't longer then 20 minutes. But I'll always be grateful to the fussy, whiny man who insisted he have a window seat!