Making waves -- Two local women find international success on Internet radio
By Donna O'Neil, Staff writer
doneil@williamsonherald.com
Two local women are proving that the second half of life is not a ride downhill, but an encore performance. Jan Carroll and Debbie Alan are making their marks on Internet radio and loving every minute of it – and so apparently are their listeners.
Carroll, of Franklin, who is known internationally for “The Jan Carroll Show” and “The Lady Plays the Blues” show on Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. respectively on Krushradio.com, was raised in a musical family. Among her professional credits, she was a CNN Radio reporter.
Alan, of Brentwood, is a former television personality with credits including television weather reporter in Chattanooga and “P.M. Magazine,” News Channel 5’s “Talk of the Town” and “America’s Dumbest Criminals.” She is now aligned with NashvilleNetRadio.com, broadcasting her show, “On the HomeStretch,” which can be heard live on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and available at listener’s convenience when visiting www.OntheHomeStretch.com.
The women derive their strength from family, friends and audiences around the world, but also live by mantras that have given them courage to succeed. Carroll draws her inspiration from the words: “Don’t let a man stop you from doing anything you don’t want to. These words of wisdom were imparted to her by her good friend Alex Haley, author of “Roots.”
Alan follows her husband’s advice: “Do what you love and the money will follow.” He wasn’t the first to say those words, but his belief in her runs so strong that he works two jobs to allow her to follow her dream and he is a frequent guest on her show.
Both agree that the power of the Internet has worldwide reach and each is contributing to the joy and happiness in lives of people they will more than likely never meet. The advances of technology also permit each woman to broadcast from their comfort zones. Carroll’s show is live from her home and Alan’s show is broadcast from a small sound booth in the Maryland Farms Family YMCA.
Amid the men and women working out on recumbent bikes and treadmills to keep their shapely bodies, Alan’s “On the HomeStretch” studio boasts two office chairs, two microphones, some broadcast equipment and soundproofing, on the basement level of the Y under the busy staircase. From the glass door to her studio, she can see the shoeshine man and the many health-conscious men and women who are going to and fro from the workout rooms. She beams as she says, “We’re are at the site of two former Coke machines.”
It is here that she reaches out to listeners about a variety of subjects. “Sprituality, sexuality and travel,” she said, “We talk about it all. That’s the beauty of Internet radio. It’s a level of honesty not allowed on terrestrial radio. Parents can protect their children from listening to subjects they choose to filter.”
Partnering with WSRadio in San Diego, Alan and NashvilleNetRadio.com, a new venture, are offering Real Estate Radio, Vanderbilt Health Radio and will soon launch “Star Excel” in the same genre as Star Search, which will promote new music all around the globe.
In the comfort of her home, Carroll broadcasts her two weekly shows with all the love and enthusiasm of a live performance. She says, “I have fun with it. I have always been into music and this gives me the opportunity to share my love with people around the world.”
“I love to laugh. In fact, if you tune in, you will probably here me just open up and laugh in the middle of something else,” she said, indicating that she reads e-mails and tweets and posts from Facebook friends during her broadcasts. “Often people will send me funny things while I am on the air and well, I just can’t help it. I laugh out loud.”
Listeners from around the world e-mail and text her messages as she spins Golden oldies, blues and all genres of music. It was one such correspondence which led her to a new venture which she will share in September – her songwriting debut.
Songwriter and musician Leo D. from Greece connected with her on Facebook. The connection was so strong, she said, “I feel like I have known him my whole life. He is a connected soul.”
Through Webcam communications and countless back and forth e-mails, the pair have written songs for a complete album which launches early this fall. She explained, “Leo D. would write the music bed and through the magic of the Internet, we collaborated on the lyrics.”
Her entry into radio came quite a bit ago when someone walked into Lewis Glass, the company she and her husband Al own, and said, “I love your voice. Would you be interested in doing a voice over for a radio commercial?” She agreed.
After the client fell equally as hard for her voice, requesting that she do all of their radio spots, she was asked to broadcast for a two-night trial. The station owners and the listeners agreed with the initial reaction of the Lewis Glass customer and she was hired for the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. spot – the most popular radio timeslot.
At that radio station and now, she keeps the attention of her audience by telling backstory and quips about the musicians whose music she plays. Her connection is a conversation with her listeners. She has interviewed Ray Charles, the Temptations and Junior Walker. Among her favorite memories is when she asked George Jones to sing to her in the hallway of the studio, when he was at the radio station.
Today, she is broadcasting live two times weekly from her home. Listen to “The Jan Carroll Show”, Thursdays, 8 p.m., and “The Lady Plays the Blues,” Sundays, 8 p.m., at www.krushradio.com.
Alan’s live broadcast on NashvilleNetRadio.com can be heard daily 10-11 a.m. or click on past shows to hear an on-demand broadcast.
Posted on: 7/23/2009
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