A Day In The Life - Laurie Wild, Radio Host
Radio host Laurie Wild has had the chance to meet many famous celebrities including Faith Hill and Tim McGraw (above) and Florida Georgia Line (below). (Submitted photos)
By Rachel Mergen
“No day is ever the same,” Laurie Wild, radio host of almost seven years at Great Country Q94 WQPC Prairie du Chien, stated about the wonders of her position. Wild hosts her own afternoon show, which plays throughout the area from 2 to 7 p.m. on Q94, while also being the radio station’s marketing consultant.
Her days begin with sales work, connecting with clients while writing orders. During her mornings, she also attempts to figure out what she would like to talk about during the show later that day. She searches on Twitter country music related accounts for often light-hearted topics.
For advertisement, fun promotions are Wild’s goal, ones that involve the community and bring happiness to people.
At 1 p.m., she begins to record the show, so she is able to do more work later in the day.
She attempts to record as close to the actual show time as possible, hoping to be able to relate to current events.
When creating the play-
list that runs during the show, many factors are taken into consideration. First, through Nashville’s music industry publication MusicRow, the station receives information on what is upcoming in the country world and what songs are about to hit the top of the charts. Two hours a week, Wild takes phone calls from Nashville, where record labels excitedly share their new acts that will soon rock the country field.
Wild has a special way of deciding if she wants to add new music to the playlist creating system. She’ll play clips for the office to listen to, getting their feedback on the music. She’ll also send snaps on Snapchat to random friends of hers asking their opinions on snippets.
Wild must also consider the taste of the audience listening to the station, so the subjects of the songs match their interests. She will work to include artists who have visited the area, too.
The music is sorted into three categories, with the three separate lists determining how often the songs on them will be played. This explains why the station may play current chart-toppers multiple times each day.
Wild has always had a love for music, deciding to come into this field with a bachelor’s degree in general communications and a master’s degree in mass communication. This background helped her understand the foundations of the business, but, she noted, “every radio station works differently.”
She doesn’t have favorite artists, rather she just focuses on the songs and their interest to her. She has learned to not judge an artist by only one song.
She enjoys being able to bring her show out into the community, while also working to line up acts for concerts within the area.
Fun doesn’t just come from her tasks though. She enjoys her coworkers, stating the atmosphere of the office is “fun and light-hearted. We’re all friends.”
The perks of her job allow her the delight of meeting a variety of celebrities, including Florida Georgia Line before they became famous. When she saw them again months after meeting them, they remembered her, which certainly was a thrill.
Wild also recalled once joking to country singer Jon Pardi that they should get married so that she could have the last name Wild-Pardi.
When artists she’s met pass away, like the recent passing of Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry, who had visited the area many times, this causes a great sadness in her heart.
For more information about the radio station and to live stream it, including Wild’s show, visit wqpcradio.com.
