Amanda Coggin

How did you first hear about WNIA? How long have you been involved there and when did you move into your current position there?

Big Bang Radio 89.1 FM broadcasts from Nash Community College. I heard about it as a student while attending college in 2008. I worked in the radio station part-time as the manager during my time as a student and even helped select the station’s call letters, WNIA, which stands for Nash In Action – the name of a campus news show the college was producing at the time. In 2016, I was hired as the Assistant Producer for Studio 67 on the college’s campus. Studio 67 houses both the radio station and media production studio. One of my responsibilities as Assistant Producer is manager of WNIA.

Tell us about the duties of your job there and what part of it you love the most and what you find the most challenging.

In addition to assisting with media productions and managing the radio station, I am also an instructor for the college’s Audio and Video Production Technology degree program. As such, I have the honor of teaching students all about the world of media. It’s extra special when you see a student who is terrified about or uninterested in being a DJ transform throughout the semester to end up with a passion for radio and sounding like a seasoned pro on the airwaves.

What is the process for reviewing new music and what sort of commitment does the station have to exposing your listeners to new releases?

Keeping new tunes on our station is important to us. In addition to myself, we have a student studio staff member that occasionally helps out with the screening of music submissions. The screening process usually starts on Monday, with new tunes being added to rotation on Friday. The criteria for an added song comes down to three basic things: is it FCC clean, does it fit our station’s current rotation, does it fit one of our radio shows?

Who is an artist or band that you’ve discovered in the past year or so that has become one of your favorites? What is it about their music you love?

Screening music for the radio station has exposed me to so many different artists and songs that I most likely would not have discovered on my own. Most of the artists on our Top 30 Charts are also on my Spotify playlist. The most recent would probably be CATT and Hannah Jadagu. Our station had the privilege of doing an interview with these artists and not only are they talented artists but rays of sunshine.

Do you have an all-time favorite artist or album you never get tired of listening to?

Not sure if I could pick just one artist or album, so I hope a genre will suffice: Motown

What upcoming 2025 release(s) are you most anticipating the release of?

I’ll pick one after I screen it…LOL

Who is an artist or band totally outside the realm of the music you play on WNIA that holds a special place in your heart?

Lindsey Stirling

If you had the power to instantly change one thing going on in the world at the moment, what would it be?

I could just pick a common annoyance, like getting stuck in traffic (which always happens when you are already running late), but if I truly had this power I would use it to stop abuse of all kinds.

What event in your life would you say has shaped you the most as a person?

Being an instructor has had a profound impact on me. Having the opportunity to be a part of someone’s educational journey, to work with students from all backgrounds, with different skill levels and talents is a privilege. Even though I am the teacher, I’ve learned a lot.

If you could choose, what time period in the past would you most want to travel back to visit and why?

The dreamer and artist in me says Renaissance, but the realist says I’m good where I am – don’t go backwards. LOL

Do you have a favorite restaurant in the area that you’d recommend people try if they are ever there?

Yes, The Nashville Diner and Oak Level Cafe. Both are cozy, down-home restaurants serving breakfast and lunch only, with country cooking that feeds the soul. Every customer is treated like a friend, and no one ever leaves hungry.

What in your life brings you the most joy?

Faith, Family, Friends…oh, and chocolate.

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat? Dog (but I also have cats, don’t tell them I picked dog)
Morning Person or Night Owl? Night Owl
City or Country? Country
Beach or Mountains? Mountains
Watch TV or Read A Book? Watch TV
Sunny or Rainy? Sunny
Restaurant or Home Cooking? Home Cooking
Pants or Shorts? Pants
Warm or Cold drinks? Cold

Do you have any current favorite shows you’re enjoying/binging? How about a movie (new or old) that you’ve watched recently that you loved?

I am currently watching an older show that I just discovered – BBC’s The Musketeers. I enjoy shows/movies set in the 17th – 19th century.

Finally, If you could have a lifetime supply of anything, what would it be?

I’m going to go with kindness – to give and receive. The world could always use more of it. Although, toilet paper or chocolate were close seconds.