Meet Shannon “Steele” Pyatt of Kickin Kountry 101 on iHeartRadio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon “Steele” Pyatt

Hi Shannon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a small town of Marion, North Carolina, the kind of place where everyone knows your name, a place where the Friday night lights shine bright with Titan Football, and country music isn’t just a genre—it’s a way of life. Growing up in this tight-knit small town instilled in me a deep love for community and a lifelong passion for music, providing the foundation for an extraordinary journey. My early days saw me DJing weddings and parties, which eventually opened doors to radio gigs in bustling cities.

Starting as on-air talent and climbing the ranks to music director and program director in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I refined my skills in a dynamic and competitive market. My final terrestrial FM role at 92.3 WCOL in Columbus, Ohio, marked a significant turning point as I stepped away from the music industry to pursue a successful career in real estate. Yet, the pull of radio never faded. This enduring passion, coupled with years of invaluable experience, ultimately led to the creation of Kickin Kountry 101—a nationwide Country powerhouse on the iHeart platform that is deeply rooted in Music City.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey was anything but smooth. I faced an uphill battle at every turn. Record labels barely acknowledged me because I wasn’t a terrestrial FM radio station, and artists weren’t rushing to do interviews with an unknown digital platform. But I was determined. Drawing on a few remaining contacts in the music industry, I reached out to Chris Palmer (Big Machine/Valory Records), my former program director at Gator 107.9 in Myrtle Beach. Chris introduced me to Chuck Aly, President of *Country Aircheck*. Chuck’s decision to write an article about me—a veteran radio professional launching a digital station, Kickin Kountry 101—gave us a small but meaningful boost.

Even with this exposure, the station struggled to gain traction. One dream I had carried with me since my days in terrestrial radio—but was never able to fulfill as a corporate program director—was to give independent artists a platform. So, I began reaching out to hardworking, talented artists making waves on Broadway and the internet. Artists like Billie Jo Jones, Sydney Irving, Boomtown Saints, and Maddye Trew became instrumental in our growth. Maddye, alongside Jeff McMahon (Tim McGraw’s former and Chris Cagle’s current keyboardist), even launched a weekly Indie Countdown on Kickin Kountry.

None of this would have been possible without the early support of Chris, Chuck, and Kellie LaJack (Black River Entertainment). Kellie offered me an interview with Jay Allen, which opened doors to conversations with artists like Craig Campbell, William Michael Morgan, Bryan White, John Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Terri Clark, and Sara Evans. These interviews marked the true turning point for Kickin Kountry.

From there, recognition from smaller labels like Grassroots, 16 Camino, and Leo33 led to interviews with rising stars such as Drew Baldridge, MaRynn Taylor, and Zach Top. The real breakthrough, however, came when I met Chad Brock (best known for his #1 hit *”Yes”*) and built a strong relationship with him. Chad introduced me to Sharla McCoy, a connection that would forever change the trajectory of Kickin Kountry.

Sharla, who selects only a handful of radio stations each year for her prestigious Music Row Live Broadcast Event during CMA Week, invited Kickin Kountry to participate. At this exclusive event, held at Belmont Church, we conducted interviews with over 75 artists, including superstars like Cody Johnson, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Riley Green, Old Dominion, and Dan + Shay, among many others.

This opportunity, combined with my unwavering faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, has elevated Kickin Kountry’s reputation and established it as a significant player in the country music industry. What began as a seemingly insurmountable challenge has turned into a story of perseverance, passion, and connection—giving a voice not only to the biggest names in country music but also to the independent artists who deserve to be heard.

And to think, all of this was accomplished on a zero budget, completely self-funded. It’s a testament to hard work, faith, and an unshakable belief in the power of music and storytelling.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With over 30 years of experience in the radio industry, I’ve spent much of my career programming stations and shaping their identities. What truly sets Kickin Kountry apart from other stations is our innovative approach. We feature exclusive video interviews with country stars and provide a unique platform for independent artists, helping them launch their careers and reach a nationwide audience.

Listeners can tune in to Kickin Kountry through our free app, available on the Google Play and Apple App Stores, as well as on iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Apple Music, and Alexa. We pride ourselves on having a full-time air staff broadcasting live from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, ensuring there’s always something great to listen to.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Some of my favorite books of all time are LifeONaire by Steve Cook, Save Me From Myself by Brian “Head” Welch, Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins and just about anything from Tony Robbins

Contact Info:

• Website: https://WKCK101.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkck101
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wkck101/
• Twitter: https://x.com/wkck101
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KickinKountry101WKCK
• Other: https://kickin101.com