Being a Summit Member

If you were to ask me why become a Summit member, I would give you numerous reasons right off the top of my head. If I were asked to do this for a Summit testimonial recording, I would giggle and lose my train of thought. And to write it all down is ideal for me. My husband John and I initially became Summit members in 1993, when it was 89.1 WAPS. Although our love for the station was constant, our membership for one reason or another, was not consistent over the years. We are renewed members now and hope to be able to continue our membership indefinitely.

I like knowing that my membership helps keep this unique radio station on the air, doing all the wonderful things in our community that The Summit does. The Summit to me is so much more than just a radio station. It's a valuable asset to Akron and the surrounding area, for present as well as future generations. The children of Summit members are so lucky to be exposed to the variety of great commercial-free music, the diverse cultural programs, and the reminder that each and every person, no matter their age, can make a positive difference in their community.

The Summit is not demanding, if and what you can contribute is greatly appreciated. The Summit then shows its appreciation for its members in so many ways. Our very first member event we attended was in 1994 to celebrate WAPS' new and improved signal and the station's move up the radio dial to 91.3 FM. Back then it was just John, me, and our baby Nicholas. For the occasion, John created a rockin' baby t-shirt for Nicholas by drawing on his tiny white shirt. On the front he drew Morrissey, and wrote I love Uncle Morrissey. On the back I suggested "Ask me I won't say no, how could I?" since Nicholas was not speaking yet. Nick looked pretty sweet with his Morrissey shirt, baby blue jeans, and spiked hair.

Here is listed a few of the recent "members only" events we've attended:

Gomez mini concert & lunch at The Summit.
The Alternate Routes concert at The Tangier Restaurant.
Flashback party at Mustard Seed Market on Leap Day 2008.
Sound check parties at Musica, one with deSol, and another with The Strange Familiar followed by great food at Spaghetti Warehouse and Lock 3 ice-skating fun.
Last but not least, lunch at The Summit followed by a Brett Dennen performance in Studio C.

What do you enjoy about being a Summit member?

What Have Been Your Most Memorable Concerts?

My all time favorite concert so far, was in 1993 at some little place in The Flats of Cleveland. The band was The Affordable Floors, from Pittsburgh. Although WAPS did play their songs, the band really didn't get very far nationally, which is a shame because they were terrific. John and I were among just a small crowd that night. We had plenty of dancing room front and center, and it was a blast. I hope our enthusiasm made up for the low attendance.

On an opposite point of the spectrum was also in 1993. John and I saw Morrissey at the huge Cleveland Music Hall (that is probably not the correct name of the place, but it was huge). It was not intimate at all, Morrissey was but a speck on the stage. But I was there breathing the same air as Morrissey! I will never forget it.

So big or small venue, famous or obscure artists, what are some of your favorite concert memories?

I Love You 91.3!

This blog popped into my head as I was tuned in to my iPod and in the middle of a sadly not often enough workout. My inspiration was a song or artist you might never hear on The Summit, but that's alright. Natasha Bedingfield's "These Words", or the "I Love You" song. It may get on your nerves after awhile, but the message and the beat I can't resist. I totally smile throughout the entire song. Maybe I've been known to smile too much at times, but like Hines Ward of The Steelers, it keeps people guessing. Anyway would it hurt the world if there were an epidemic of smiling or kind words spoken?

Okay, I need to get back on track. I love 91.3 The Summit. I know I've already done that blog, but there's more to it. I was thinking in terms of a song. The beat is easy to hear, maybe the lead guitar, or bass, but that alone doesn't make the song great. There are countless other instruments and voices, some you may not even notice. But if they were left out, the song would be lacking.

So I want to say I love 91.3, the whole entity that makes it what it is. From the management, various directors, underwriters, staff (on-air & off), engineers, volunteers, members, everyone who works hard every week on the international & diverse programs, and anyone out there who may be considering becoming a member.

If I could have my vehicle shrink wrapped with The Summit logo, I would, but my husband does not approve. So I just have to spread the word the best I can.

If I Had a Time Machine, I'd Go To February 9, 1964

I was a teenage Beatle-maniac, minus the screaming and fainting. I don't know what it was about the Beatles that did it for me, I just couldn't get enough of them. I came about in 1966. I was just a baby, and The Beatles already played their last live concert. Well I wouldn't want to go to a concert and only be able to hear screaming girls. If I could've gone to a Beatle concert, I would hope I wouldn't be one of those screaming girls, maybe I would be a fainter. But I will never know.

My friends just didn't get my fascination, they thought I was stuck in the wrong era. My very first album was Magical Mystery Tour. I wore it out. If the radio was on, during the day, I would keep a count in my head of how many Beatle songs I heard each day. I don't do that anymore, but I do still count John, Paul, George, & Ringo instead of 1,2,3,4 when I am measuring cooking /baking ingredients. Crazy huh? My half of the bedroom walls were covered in Beatle posters, while my younger sister had her side covered in New Kids on the Block.

My favorite Beatle is John, not because he was the first we lost. I really connect with him, his style of music, his personality. Maybe it's coincidence that I married a man named John (though I would have loved him no matter what his name was), my name is Julie but some people call me Julia, my youngest son was born on John Lennon's birthday. My friend Michelle is amazed that I remember her birthday every year. She thinks I have a great memory, but it just so happens it's February 9th. The day America met the Beatles.