2020 is a memorable year for so many reasons…including the fact that it marks 40 years behind a microphone for me! After starting out on WARC (Allegheny College Radio) in 1980, I have been on the air in Meadville and Crawford County in some capacity ever since. You may remember me as Susan Davis on WMGW-AM, Marie Stevens on WEOZ-FM, Susie Kennedy on the ‘Country One’ or even Ann Phibian on the ‘All New Froggy’. I now simply go by Susie Q, one of my favorite songs…most people are familiar with the version by Credence Clearwater Revival.
My work in local radio has given me the chance to meet some pretty ‘cool’ people, including Toby Keith, Blackhawk, John Anderson, Brad Paisley, my co-workers and our great listeners. Fun fact…roughly half the people I meet think I sound exactly like I do on the air…the other half think I sound completely different.
In more recent years, I have served as emcee for the Center for Family Services Music Benefit and the Saegertown Volunteer Fire Departments annual Cash Bash, as well as cohost of the Conneaut Lake Area Business Associations annual Pumpkinfest Parade. In years past, I also co-hosted the annual Caycees Halloween parade for six straight years with the late great Dave Hanahan. I have a soft spot for veterans…and joined a small committee that planned and executed Operation Wounded Vetz benefits for six years, which netted over $100,000 for local veterans organizations. After that committee disbanded and my tenure as a soccer mom came to a close with my daughters high school graduation, I became a member of the annual Memorial Day Observance Committee and now serve as a board member of the FCCA as well. I am so proud to be a part of a locally owned community minded radio station…and every day look forward to working with local businesses and organizations to promote their interests and make them stronger. Communication is the name of the game…and from the reel to reel, cart and turntable days to the digital and social media age, I plan to keep going until I can’t!