As of a few weeks ago, I have a new title added to my name … Brandy Blanton, internet radio talk show host! Who knew?

Having been a guest on Debbie Alan's "On the HomeStretch" a couple of times, and thoroughly enjoying that experience, how surprised I was when Debbie asked me about having my own show? I suppose the idea of Southern Exposure Magazine in a live format was a no-brainer to her, but ... I needed a bit more convincing.

How was a print publication's content going to parlay over into live radio? Would it absolutely mirror the storylines in the publication and would that be redundant?

After reflecting a while, talking to my peeps, and doing some serious thinking, I saw the value in the relationships I had built along the way; and while they may have already been "covered" in the magazine, there's always something new going on to talk about.

Even more so, I was convinced from seven years in the magazine business, that while the premise of the magazine is heavily local, the treasure that we have in this area with our historical value, the entertainment industry, thriving business and more, are things that have national allure. Of course there's also the idea that adding a leg under the Southern Exposure Magazine brand will only help in garnering more avid supporters. So off we went ...

I was able to secure a fabulous sponsor in NationLink Wireless and am proud to laud their incredible company and services, but also feel like it is a perfect fit because we are similar in heart. Andy Bailey is a fun, upbeat (somewhat spastic) guy who makes talking about wireless service interesting and alluring. As a customer, I know first-hand the value they bring to their clients, but even more important their superb concierge customer service. And I was absolutely flattered when they asked me to do the voice-over for their commercial. The fun began …

There was training of course, but not as much as I had expected - evidently Debbie and the folks at NashvilleNetRadio.com felt that I was ahead of the curve in my interview experience, so it was more about learning the do's and don'ts of live radio.

I took the safe route for the first show and stacked the deck with some of my most favorite people, but all very interesting and worthy subjects in their own right. The line up consisted of my sponsor, Andy Bailey (of course); two of my dearest friends: Louis Upkins Jr., author of Treat Me Like A Customer and Laura Hill, owner of a unique event venue in downtown Franklin called the Red House and singer-songwriter, Marc Scibilia who brought his guitar and sang for us. I have decided that live music is definitely a must to add to the roster, but we need to make sure that we don’t run out of time half-way through a song like we did the first time!

The first show went so much better than I expected, but there’s definite room for improvement. I learned that I like to use the word “interesting” a lot, I enunciate the word “great” weird and that I have what is referred to as a “smoky” voice. I’m not going to be the next Oprah – I definitely have a face for radio – but I do think this journey is going to be a blast.

Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 9th from noon to 1:00 p.m. (CST) for our next show. Our guests will be people featured in the Feb/March issue of Southern Exposure Magazine: Belmont Bruin Men’s Basketball coach, Rick Byrd; NewsChannel 5’s Rhori Johnston, and Missy Reeves (also known as Jennifer from Days of Our Lives) who dons the cover of our newest issue with her husband, Scott.

And always know that if you can’t join us LIVE, the beauty of what NashvilleNetRadio.com and wsRadio provides to our listeners is the opportunity to listen to past shows any time (24/7) at your convenience. Check us out at www.southernexposuremagazine.com or www.nashvillenetradio.com.

Hope you click on …

 December 1, 2009 – Nashville, TN – A Nashville broadcasting veteran is tapping into the fastest growing media in history to bring Middle Tennessee a new way to experience talk radio. Debbie Alan, former host of Talk of the Town, announces the launch of NashvilleNetRadio.com – Nashville’s first Internet only talk radio station with original programming. 

Partnering with wsRadio in San Diego, Alan and NashvilleNetRadio.com have found a way to overcome the challenges plaguing traditional media and meet listeners where they are – online.  While the prevailing economic climate has placed immense pressure on all forms of media, Internet radio saw a 37.6 percent increase in popularity last year.  More than 42 million Americans now listen to Internet radio every week with the help of on-demand media and a multitude of wireless networks and portable devices that are creating listening occasions that were previously unavailable. 

“As more people move online it only makes sense to reach out to them there.  People love the benefits and convenience of this means of communication,” says Alan. “Internet radio is simply radio that's received on your computer. You can listen as it is broadcast live or anytime that’s convenient for you... when you're checking email, shopping, surfing or working online.”

NashvilleNetRadio.com currently connects listeners in Middle Tennessee to a broad range of experts on topics such as life coaching, cultural issues, health and wellness, finances, real estate and law.  Listeners can access the experience and advice of doctors, a former Wilhelmina model, a chauffeur turned chaplain, lawyers, money experts, former TV host of America’s Dumbest Criminals, recovering addicts, famous songwriters, and more when they log on for content.

In just a few short months, NashvilleNetRadio.com has already developed and launched 8 new shows. The response has been exciting. Since the debut of Alan’s own show, On the HomeStretch, more than 200,000 listeners have tuned in to hear her give ways for women to make the second half of their life better than the first. Guests share their personal stories or discuss everything from travel, hobbies and relationships to health and wellness, aging gracefully, and parenting. Alan expects the rest of the show schedule to enjoy similar or greater success.

“We are creating programs that energize and transform,” Alan said. “Our goal is to provide entertainment that is also informative, educational, supportive and motivating. We recruit only the highest caliber of passionate, expert hosts and strive to create a sense of community among our audiences. It’s another great way to connect people with similar interests.”

The current show schedule includes:  two shows hosted by Debbie Alan, On The HomeStretch and  Vanderbilt Health Radio; Flourish with Amy Freese, Talking Dollars and Sense with Brett DeFore, Inward Outlook with Barbara Rucker, Oscar Oscar The Limo Doctor, Real Estate Talk Today with David Carroll, and Baker Radio from law firm Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz.

Five new shows are slated to join NashvilleNetRadio.com in the New Year including:  Southern Exposure Live, an extension of Southern Exposure Magazine; The Music Makers with Tom Shapiro, award winning Hall of Fame songwriter; Journey to Freedom Radio with Scott Reall, from the YMCA’s Restore Ministry and Color and Light – Health by Design with Deborah Burnett, an HGTV scientific interior designer.

Listeners can experience the various shows live and participate in the conversation, or they can log on at their convenience to access prerecorded shows. Visit NashvilleNetRadio.com and click on shows for a complete list of live air times or search past shows by topic or host and listen on-demand anytime. 

“That’s the beauty of Internet radio,” says Alan.  “You can find what you want when you want it. And we’re always looking for new ideas and good show hosts.  If you’ve always wanted to break into radio we can help you do it!”