Apparently, Nashville likes Steve Ferguson.
Mr. Ferguson won the chance to sing with Garth Brooks on stage in Nashville two years ago while attending an annual country music seminar. He'll be on stage in front of thousands again this year at the same seminar. But this time, he'll be receiving an award as MusicRow 's "country breakout reporter of the year."
When he learned of the honor last Wednesday while working his job as music director of WTHO radio, Mr. Ferguson was overcome with emotion.
"I'm just beside myself," he said with tears in his eyes. "It's just like I felt right after being with Garth Brooks. But, I can't really compare it with that experience. Being with Garth Brooks was incredible and this is unbelievable."
According to its Web site, MusicRow magazine is "Nashville's music industry publication," the source for music business news, including record reviews, interviews and discovering rising talent first.
Jon Freeman, the chart director for MusicRow, sent Mr. Ferguson an e-mail informing him he had been chosen for the honor for "your extraordinary commitment to new music, dedication to MusicRow's chart and the excellent reputation you've developed with our community here in Nashville."
"I didn't expect it at all," Mr. Ferguson said. "They are a highly respected outfit up there in Nashville. It's incredible recognition for a little Thomson radio station. And it's because of (owner) Mike (Wall) letting me do what I want."
Mr. Ferguson said he sends a report to MusicRow each week of the songs that he plays on WTHO. The Thomson station is among 104 radio stations to send the online report.
"Mike let's me pick what I play. And so far, it's worked," Mr. Ferguson said. "I play what the listeners want to hear. Here at WTHO, we take requests and we actually play the request as soon as we can. Roy (Grice, production manager), Mike and I all love to do that. We like to make the listeners happy. If we don't have listeners, we're out of a job."
Now 58, Mr. Ferguson said he has been performing or playing country music since he was 13-years-old. He said Mr. Freeman asked about his programming philosophy.
"It's simple -- If it sounds good to me, then I'll play it," he said. "I'm like American Idol. I can be Simon or I can be Kara. And apparently, Nashville thinks I'm good at it."
Mr. Ferguson has been at WTHO for 20 years.
Mr. Wall said in a press release that he is "very happy to have a key component in the Nashville music scene acknowledge Steve's hard work in music programming. ... and fortunate to have someone of his caliber on staff."
Mr. Ferguson and his wife, Terry, have two daughters, Jennifer and Joy, and three sons, Justin, Matt and the late Steven Jr. Mr. Ferguson's wife will accompany him to Nashville Feb. 24-26 to receive his award. Mr. Ferguson said they will remember their son Steven, who died of diabetes complications in April.
"Personally, this has been a lousy year," he said. "My son was my biggest fan. He was in Thomson Health and Rehab, and he'd be my first caller every morning that I was on the air. So, I'll dedicate this to him."
Although Taylor Swift is scheduled to perform at the seminar, Mr. Ferguson said he won't be singing with her.
"It ain't going to happen because I'm not going to the show," he said. "I'm not a big Taylor Swift fan. I play her music because my listeners love her."
