Q&A: Thacker Mountain Radio Hour's Kate Teague

HottyToddy.com got in touch with Thacker Mountain Radio Hour’s (TMRH) Executive Director and Producer Kate Teague to find out more about how this 2015 Ole Miss graduate does it all.

Teague produces and directs 12 TMRH shows each spring, 12 in the fall and seven or eight shows outside of Oxford over the summer. But this spring, she’s got quite a lot on her plate aside from the weekly phenomenal Thacker shows. She’s busy preparing for TMRH to host the Friday night festivities of the 23rd annual Double Decker Arts Festival. 
Of course, there’s even more incredible ways Teague contributes to the rich literary and musical scene in Oxford, but we’ll let her to you about those herself in this Q&A: 
It’s been a year since you were hired as the official executive director/producer of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour. How did the first year go? Challenges? Triumphs?
Wow! What a question. My first year with Thacker was just as rewarding as it was challenging. My biggest triumph was definitely witnessing and taking part in Thacker’s 20th anniversary. What an incredible experience to watch all of the people who have played a role in Thacker’s history come together and celebrate/support our show. It was very special.
My biggest ongoing challenge is juggling the two hats of being the director of Thacker and the producer of Thacker. Both take two totally different frames of mind, but an equal amount of much-needed attention.
With the first year in hindsight, what are your goals for this year?
My goal for this year is in line with our whole organization’s goal, which is to expand our reach beyond the state of Mississippi, starting with Alabama.
What is your first memory of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour (TMRH)? How did it lead to your current position?
My first memory of Thacker was seeing a Thacker poster on a friend’s wall and asking all about it. The next week, I went to my first show and fell in love immediately, which led to me sending a super dramatic ‘please hire me’ email to my predecessor, which led to me interning the following semester, which led to being the ED/P!
How do you organize the 24 shows (plus seven or eight remote) every year?
How do I organize it? With lots of love, patience and dedication.
What musical or literary guests (or both) are you most excited for this year?
OH, man. Well, I was pretty much looking forward to all of February’s show, from the amazing debut novelist, Xhenet Aliu, to the great, Tav Falco. Beyond that, JJ Thames, Sarah Shook, Larkin Poe, Robert Gordon and Adron.
Who are the most memorable guests of the past that you’ve seen/heard?
During my tenure (and off the top of my head), I’d have to say Songhoy Blues and Mary Lindsay Dickinson.
As lead singer of the Reels, do you still find time to create your own music alongside producing TMRH?
Reels actually disbanded two months before I started this position due to band members moving on with life, but I definitely still create my own music! I force myself to create time for my music because it’s what keeps me grounded. I actually just released a single via bandcamp, which I’m really excited about. *(Listen to her newest single, “Low Life” here.) 
If there is anything you would like to add about yourself or the show, please feel free to do so!
If you’re a student and you haven’t made it to Thacker yet, put it on your to-do list. You won’t regret it.

By Callie Daniels Bryant
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