Hey, Olivia! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m from Fairview, Tennessee (that place you get lost when you are in Nashville). I’m the weird unicorn hybrid of athlete/music nerd. I went to Butler University and played soccer, but studied music, media, graphic design, art and journalism. I did a lot of stuff and things leading up to this to make me a utility knife. I moved to Macon in 2012 for an internship at the ASUN Conference in media relations. I guess they liked me… and I liked them because they kept me around. I get to merge all my passions in a career that is most people call a hobby, I am the Assistant Commissioner for Broadcast Services, so really that means those college sporting events you see on ESPN, I make those happen. The most important thing about me is I have a jumpy lil puppy named Ernie Barks. He’s pretty adorable and will cuddle with anyone; love ALL not hate. Follow him on Instagram: ErnieBarksW
If you could only take one album on a deserted island, what would it be?
Any Taylor Swift album because I’d be so motivated to get off that island as soon as possible. But seriously, I could be asked this question 365 days in a row and might have 297 different answers. I’m very indecisive, but for today I’m going to cheat the system and say I want my super special “Olivia Mix Tape” with a little Regina Spektor, Ben Folds, Fratellis, Rolling Stones and Sam Cooke. Oh wait. No. I’ve got it, I want Whitney! Whitney Houston! All day for the rest of my deserted life.
What is your favorite live concert memory?
When I was 13, I saw Ben Folds play piano in a Nashville Barnes & Nobles and it made my world explode. Two years later I got to help back stage at the Ryman for one of his shows, world re-exploded. There is not a more talented musician I’ve ever seen than Ben Folds. It’s like when you tell Southerners that they won’t love hockey until they see a game live and in person. Ben Folds is that. I’ve had a lot of wild live event memories and moments but that Barnes & Nobles moment is one that stuck.
Why are you on the board?
Music has already played a major role in my life, every step a long the way I had some element where it was present. Whether I was working at a recording studio, radio station, a venue or festivals…music is my drug. When I moved to Macon one of the first things I did was attend Bragg Jam and I knew everything was going to be ok and my moving and uprooting my life anxiety went away. Now that I can happily call Macon home I’m glad to be a part of the event that first made me feel welcome.