Spotlight: Bissett Note to alumni
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14... & friends
on Saturday morning when nobody’
“I was in the studio learning how to push the buttons at 6 a.m.
that this was what I wanted to pursue. I had never wanted to be at
s listening. That’s when I knew
one of our alumni recently
I had the distinct privilege of speaking with
work at 6 a.m. before,” she said with a laugh. “I continued to learn
privilege daily
and get better and I moved into an actual part-time weekend shift,
this one was even more special.
, and I do love to talk with Brewton-Parker alums – but
. Of course I have this
which led into a fulltime position – all within nine months.”
turned 50.
This gentleman graduated from BPC in 1954 – the year the school
having been around”. W
The school is now 103, and we tend to think of it as “always
which has stuck throughout her career
During this time she acquired the on-air name of Jayme Austin,
it is hard to think of Brewton-Parker when it was young – or at least
e have so much history and tradition here that
middle-aged.
one of the ones that I submitted that my boss liked. I knew a girl who
“Joan Bissett is not a good radio name, and Jayme
.
Austin was
spelled her name with a ‘y’
the school. He had some photographs and other memorabilia he had
This particular alumnus wanted to do something very special for
that’s very country. I started in country radio with that name and it
and I always liked Austin, Texas, and
held onto for the last 53 years. He of
was just easier to keep (it),” she said.
not want these items but I would like to give them to the school for
fered it to us, saying, “You may
safe-keeping.” He didn’t know that we love such things. Pictures,
yearbooks, postcards or just about anything that documents the life
and did a mid-day radio program on WTDR, which is now “CA
Following her position in Atlanta, she moved to Charlotte, N.C.
and witness of this institution is important and worth keeping.
Country”. She followed her career to WHSL Greensboro as the
T
music director for the station. In this position, she weekly met with
Brewton-Parker? W
Do you have something that you would like to turn over to
country stars and “really got a feel” for the Nashville music industry
keepsakes. In fact,
e pledge to do our best to keep and preserve your
“It was a great opportunity,” she said. “I was working with a lot
. resident archivist. W
Ann
e use acid-free packaging and mylar
Turner, the director of our library is also our
of record labels in Nashville, and I would meet so many people in
encapsulation to protect delicate materials and to make them available
Nashville through that job.
for visitors to see. If such an item has meant a lot to you then it
in Nashville, but to be on the number one station in Nashville,
At that point, I knew that I wanted to be
probably is important to someone else, a classmate perhaps. It will
certainly be important to us!
WSIX.”
know
If you have something to donate to the school, please let me
which left her and her sister
When her parents were killed in an auto accident in 2000,
each other
, Pam Bissett Sanders (‘79) with just
It is always good to hear from you.
. I can be reached at rbyrd@bpc.edu, or call me at 912-583-3261.
now or never
, she realized she needed to pursue that dream. It was
Roger Byrd
“(My parents) knew how much I wanted to go to Nashville. I
, she said.
Director of Alumni Relations
realized then that life is too short.
“So I did. I just up and moved without a job.”
You’ve got to go for it,” she said.
at WSIX through a past colleague who was now the station’
Fortunately, as Joan says, she was quick to receive a position
program director. She worked closely with the program director as
s
Prayer for our
a pseudo-assistant music director
time spots.
, and was on air during the prime
recording industry grew
As her own “name power” increased, her interest in the
military, alumni
position as promotions coordinator/radio marketing specialist at Big
, which is where she is now. Her current
Machine Records, a minor Nashville record label with big plans for
its up-and-coming stars, keeps her busy “non-stop” every day
Chaplain at W
Terrell Rommel Moye (’76), a Board Certified
(FL), offers the following prayer for the men and
est Palm Beach VA Medical Center
“It’s really four jobs in one,” she said.
.
women serving in the U.S. Military and honors
those who are Brewton-Parker alumni.
Rommel Moye (’76)
Chaplain Terrell
tasks, such as sending out flyers and promotional materials, to
Her typical day includes doing everything from the menial
working closely with the big wigs in the record labels and securing
great nation.
“God of our Fathers, we give thanks for the many blessings upon our
tour dates for her “roster” of young, rising musicians, such as Jack
adversity and to guide us in prosperity
Your mighty hand has ever been upon us to sustain us in
Ingram’
support of our country over the ages have responded to your call; for
Dedicated men and women who have served in the defense and
.
Joan remembers many things vividly from her time at Brewton-
s Las Vegas CD Release Party in March.
each person in every level of responsibility who has loved and defended
Parker
our nation, and who helped to pass on to us the blessings of freedom and
and band leader Dan Smelser
, two of them being music division chair Hildegard Stanley
peace, we of
“I went to Brewton-Parker because of the music,” Bissett said.
. at our disposal, for the defense of that freedom, and the preservation of
fer a humble prayer for great wisdom for the mighty forces
“Hildegard Stanley was a huge influence. Dan Smelser was a bold
peace in our world.
leader
someone. I don’t think I’d be where I am today if I had been at a
. At Brewton-Parker I was more than just a number, I was
qualities of faith, character
Help us always to trust in
bigger school.”
source of our strength. Provide all those who serve today and tomorrow
, and moral integrity that provide the ultimate
Thee, to honor and to value highly the
Joan is excited about keeping up with friends from Brewton-
in the armed forces, and their families, a full measure of your care and
Parker and asks those interested in staying in touch to e-mail her at
protection.
her work address: jayme.austin@bigmachinemail.com.
to be responsible in the challenges of the present, and to be resourceful
Help us, O God, to trust in You, to remember the lessons of the past,
with the prospects of the future. Let freedom ring in our lives, our nation,
and our world. Amen.”
THE LAMP SPRING 2007 19
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