Last month WTSQ  gave away a pair of 4-day passes to Bourbon and Beyond, in Louisville, KY from Sept 15-18th. Our lucky winner was randomly drawn from those that commented on the WTSQ Facebook page contest post. Our winner is Shannon Parsons Pierson! I asked Shannon if she wouldn’t mind answering a few questions so that we can get to know one of our avid WTSQ Listeners.  Here’s a little bit about Shannon:

Have you lived in the Charleston area your whole life? If not, where are you from?
I am a Charleston native and have lived here my entire life. I’m a graduate of Capital High (a LONG time ago!!!), Mountain State School of Massage and WV State University (BA Art)
What was your favorite concert?
When I was young, I went to a lot of concerts! Due to work, parenting and finances, I don’t get to go to many these days. Looking back over the years, I’m remembering so many amazing shows and experiences. I have narrowed it down to my favorite 2: Lollapalooza 1992 and Dave Matthews 2014

Lollapalooza was my first BIG, festival concert. The lineup included The Jesus and Mary Chain, Soundgarden, Ice Cube, Ministry, Pearl Jam, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Pearl Jam was my absolute favorite band at the time and I was a huge Chili Peppers fan as well. I also remember being blown away by the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow. Between the heat and the sometimes disgusting acts, people were dropping like flies! LOL, There was also a Rock the Vote voters registration tent. This was going to be my first election to vote in and although I was already registered, I was pumped for Clinton and thought it was so cool that there was that push to engage young voters.

The next year’s Lollapalooza was also amazing. I saw it in Houston, the day after getting married and I remember Arrested Development, Fishbone and Alice in Chains being absolutely incredible!

In 2014, the Dave Matthews tour featured an opening acoustic set followed by a full electric set. DMB is my favorite all-time band and although I’ve been to many concerts, this was a truly amazing experience!

What was your favorite band in high school?
Motley Crue and Beastie Boys. I started working at S&E Shirts (a local skateboard shop many locals will remember) in high school and we had such an eclectic collection of music there. Our weekly sales incentive was the person with top sales got to pick out a CD for the store from Camelot music. I was introduced to such a wide variety of music there and my mind was blown wide open! It was such a fun place to work and probably the most formative experience of my life!

What live music event did you most recently attend?
I’m old and have an 11-year-old daughter, so I don’t get out to listen to as much live music as I used to. I think the most recent live event I attended was a Burlesque show in Columbus, OH featuring the Bastard Sons of Neptune. They are a really fun surf rock band and the collaboration with the burlesque performers was fantastic! Locally, Static Fur is the most recent band I’ve been out to see.

Who is your favorite local to Charleston WV band or artist?
My favorite local acts are Spencer Elliot, Static Fur, Voodoo Kats, and Qiet. Back in the day, I LOVED Mother Nang, Rasta Rafiki, and The Joint Chiefs, even though the latter 2 were Morgantown bands, not Charleston. Later, I loved Telefunk, Crazy Jane, and The Recipe (another Morgantown band). (Sad side story: in 2016 most of my stuff was in storage during my divorce proceedings, waiting to close on my house, and my storage units were robbed. I lost a lot of my possessions, including my music. Most things have gradually been replaced and I can listen to just about anything on Spotify but the loss of all the music from local shows from the Empty Glass and The Levee is still heartbreaking. So much great music and memories!)

Do you play an instrument?
I do not play any instruments, although I played piano a bit when I was a kid and flute up through 8^th I would love to learn to play the flute again and I’ve always wanted to play the accordion.

What is your background in being a listener of WTSQ?
I’ve been listening to WTSQ since the beginning, but not regularly until 2018 when I had a job where I could play the radio at my desk. One particular show that blew me away (and I’d love to have the playlist!!!) was Michael Early’s tribute to Leonard Cohen (I believe on Cohen’s birthday) in 2019. I listen daily from 8-5 starting my morning with Democracy Now and I love Mya’s Morning Mix – particularly Women Who Crush it Wednesdays and Flash Back Fridays. My evenings and weekends stay busy but I love listening any chance I get. I LOVE Breaking Down the Pressure! Also, 90% 90’s 10% of the Time, Heartsmiles, Sit n’ Spin, Dealer’s Choice, and Beerframe Radio are also favorites when I catch them. I am so happy and proud that we have such an amazing local station featuring such a wide and eclectic range of music!

What are you looking forward to at Bourbon and Beyond?
I am so excited to attend Bourbon and Beyond! This will be my first concert in years and my first ever 4-day festival. I am now too old and comfort-oriented to camp, so we’re staying at a hotel. There are so many bands to experience and discover! Of course, I have LOVED Pearl Jam from the beginning and I haven’t seen them since 1992, so it will be AMAZING to see them again. I LOVE Kings of Leon and Jack White and can’t wait to see them live!!! Brandi Carlile is incredible and although I haven’t listened to Chris Stapleton much, my brother plays him a lot and it never fails, I’ll hear a song and love it, ask him who it is and it’s Stapleton. Love St. Vincent and Robert Randolph and only recently discovered and love Japanese Breakfast and St. Paul & the Broken Bones. Father John Misty is fantastic and I loved Alanis Morissette back in the day. I’ve recently heard there’s a great documentary about her that I’ll have to watch before we go and I’m looking forward to seeing her as well. I’m on a mission to listen to all the bands before going.

Thank you Shannon for entering our contest! We look forward to seeing you at the festival.

Readers: Stay tuned for more surprises leading up to Bourbon and Beyond!