July 2, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
WSM, one of the most recognizable call-letters in the world will have a notable presence at the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree on Saturday, July 7
Karlen Evins, Ambassador Host of WSM 650 AM, will come to you with LIVE cutaways from 1 to 5 p.m. interviewing and visiting with the folks in Smithville, which was her second home. Karlen is daughter of the late Eddie Evins of DeKalb County.
“First, let me say, I’m thrilled to be coming back to my home turf/stomping grounds! While I wasn’t born in DeKalb County, my roots were planted firmly here from all those summers and weekends I worked at my dad’s bank. (Plus, Smithville IS that place us Evinses called home!),” said Evins.
“After 20 years of talk radio (WLAC, WSIX and WWTN…at the time, focusing primarily on politics), I was delighted when WSM invited me to play a part on what we all know as “the Legend” ~ While I’ve moved from the big city (growing bigger by the day)…back to the country (I now live in Lebanon and raise goats)… they were surprised if not amused when I told them that to this day I keep WSM playing in my barn at night for my kids as I figured most every old school farmer did… To me, WSM was ALWAYS the legend. As a kid I was enthralled by the Opry (my Uncle Jack used to play steel guitar for Ray Price); as an adult who made her living in radio, I was humbled by the whole “clear channel” power signal of it all,” she continued.
“All to say it was a match made in heaven when asked if I’d consider going on the road to cover live events and festivals in Tennessee as a sort of WSM/music-lovin’ ambassador… the Jamboree was a natural for the tour”.
“In the words of John Denver, “Can’t wait to be back home again…!”
“I know the Jamboree has come a long way since I first enjoyed it as a teen, but I’m knowing it’ll be like old home week the second I make it back up Snow’s Hill…over the mountain and to the square…back to the land I love”.
“It’s God’s country, through and through…
And God’s country music…that fiddlin’ we’re gearing up to hear,” said Evins.
Listeners, Local and from all over the United States will get a taste of what they could be experiencing and will want to come out and join the fun. Stop by the WSM tent for prizes and giveaways
For 20 years, Karlen graced Nashville’s morning drive radio scene as producer and co-host of the popular “Teddy Bart’s Round Table.” A
communications graduate from the University of Tennessee, she wanted a job where she could create, thus it was a short jump from ad agency life to radio copy writing that shifted her career path to broadcasting.
At home on either side of the mic, Karlen acknowledges she is happiest when creating. She jumped when asked if she’d consider doing a cookbook of family recipes. Recruiting her retired father and uncle (founder of Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores) to serve as her board, she created K. Rose Publishing, Inc. to launch her own line of cookbooks, trivia books, and the like, expressly for the gift industry.