I had the pleasure of sitting down (albeit virtually) with the talented Sarah Blair Jenkins ’13 to talk (email) about her radio show on Kenyon’s own WKCO.

Tell me a little about your show. What influences your DJ-decisions? 

I host “Bless Your Heart” Radio Hour from 3-4pm on Wednesday afternoons. I play bluegrass/country/folk/rockabilly/alt-country/blues; any sort of southern or southern-influenced music.

I’m from Flat Rock, North Carolina, a small, rural town (we have one-stop light–but Carl Sandburg lived there and had a goat farm!) 40 minutes outside of Asheville, North Carolina (best city in the world: fact). Western North Carolina has absolutely influenced my taste in music–it’s such an amazing area for bluegrass, both older stuff and contemporary. Growing up I went to a lot of bluegrass festivals and concerts; my parents go to Merlefest every year in Wilkesboro, NC which was orchestrated every year by the late Doc Watson, an old-time bluegrass banjo god. I try and go with them every year I can.

In terms of requests, this guy Randon Hawaiianson calls in to request Shania Twain sometimes. I also got an anonymous caller who asked if I “could play that guy who [their] grandparents listen to on the radio.” I also have had professors call in and once, even a parent of a prospective student, just calling to say they like the show.

Dream guest: it’s a three-way tie with John Prine, Levon Helm, and Emmylou Harris. But I wouldn’t say no to having Taylor Swift as a guest.

Anything else I’d like to share…I’ve learned everything I know about music from my dad Carlton. He knows more about music, especially bluegrass, blues, and country, then anyone I’ve ever met. I still call him before most of my shows and ask what I should play. He once texted me after a show, “Ralph Stanley singing White Light/White Heat [Velvet Underground cover] can make your brain explode.” And he’s so right [ed. LISTEN TO THIS IT IS AMAZING]: 

Also, one time my friend was listening from Antarctica! So WKCO global streaming is truly global.