Gator & StyckMan win CMA Broadcast Award

Although it's not magic related StyckMan is a member of the Tennessee Magical Society
Elizabeth Ayres
Herald-Citizen Staff

COOKEVILLE -- Listeners of Gator & The StyckMan on 94.7 FM The Country Giant know a good thing when they hear it. That's why they keep tuning in every morning from 6-10 a.m. to hear the latest country tunes and to catch up on the duo's interaction with each other and the Upper Cumberland. Now the Country Music Association (CMA) has picked up on their talent and has awarded the pair the CMA Award for Small Market Broadcast Personalities of the Year.

The pair were notified of their win Monday morning with a phone call from country star and 2007 CMA Horizon Award nominee Jason Aldean. Gator & The StyckMan will make their way to Nashville's Sommet Center on Wednesday, Nov. 7, to pick up their award before the live awards telecast begins at 7 p.m. on ABC.

The CMA Broadcast Awards are considered one of the most prestigious awards one could receive for his or her work in country radio. Winners are selected by a panel of more than 40 broadcast professionals narrowing a field of five from around the country in each category down to one winner. Competition in the Small Market Personality category included radio shows from New London, Conn., Enid, Okla., Dover-Portsmouth, N.H., and Bangor, Maine.

"Everyone likes to be encouraged and have someone tell them 'good job,' but this is the ultimate back-pat and the highest praise given to a country music personality," said Gator on how much the award means to him. "It's something that we can all share, as a radio station and as a community. There are no words to express what I'm feeling, other than thankfulness. To the listeners who give us the privilege to do what we love, to my family who puts up with me being a workaholic and to Jesus who has given me everything, including this blessing, thank you."

"This just blows me away," replied StyckMan. "When we won the ACM (Academy of Country Music award) and CMA for 'Station of the Year,' it was really cool. But now we've been pointed out personally, and it's mind-boggling. It's really cool to say that we've won the biggest award in country music radio.

"The CMAs are known as 'Country's Biggest Night,' and now Gator & The StyckMan get to be a big part of it," StyckMan continued. "I mean, come on, we get to stand on the same stage as the Eagles, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Keith Urban, just to name a few. How can that not be cool?"

StyckMan also credits their program's faithful following for their CMA win.

"It's as much our listeners' (award) as it is ours," he said, "because without them, Gator and I are talking to nobody. It's because of them that we do this. I can only hope that they have as much fun listening to us as we have talking to them. I'm just glad that they put up with us every morning and allow us to do this day in and day out. It's because of them that we do this."

For Gator & The StyckMan, this recognition is both their first nomination and first win in this category.

"I feel lucky and blessed," said Gator. "It could have been (our) 94th time up for the award, and I think the feeling would have been the same. I don't think it's anything we feel we deserve. I think we just feel blessed to be able to do what we love. Country, coffee and connecting with listeners who feel more like family. A CMA Award, I think, just confirms what all of us already know -- we have a lot to be proud of in the Upper Cumberland."

"I never expected to be nominated, let alone win it," StyckMan followed. "To do it on the first time we were nominated, that's just icing on the cake."

The Gator & StyckMan morning program airs Monday through Friday from 6-10 a.m. on WGSQ 94.7 FM The Country Giant. "The Best of Gator & The StyckMan" airs Saturday mornings from 6-10 a.m.

Published October 03, 2007 1:47 PM CDT