WQMX Rising Star Showcase: A Local Tradition, A National Example

A lot of people think that once an artist gets a record deal, they immediately become stars. In fact, the percentage of artists that record a song on a national label that becomes a hit is actually quite low. As listeners, we turn on the radio and hear a song we like, not realizing the blood, sweat, tears, time, and money that went into getting that song on the radio.

One of the things newly signed artists do are called "radio tours". Once an artist gets signed to a record label, a representative from that label takes the artist around the country introducing them and their music to local radio. They stop in, meet the program director and music director, and often play a song or two live in the station's studio, conference, or even the coffee room for staff member.

Several years ago, WQMX management came up with a great idea: since so many artists are coming through the station, why not have them play for more than just a few staff members? Hence, the Rising Star Showcase was born. After several years, the photos lining the walls represent a virtual who's-who of artists who've played the room. Some have gone on to be big stars, like Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Brooks and Dunn, Big and Rich to name just a few. Others, though still talented, became one hit, or no-hit wonders.

WQMX has earned a solid reputation locally and nationally for helping to expose up-and-coming artists to listeners via this exciting, exclusive venue. In Nashville, word spread among radio and record companies nationwide about this cool radio station in Akron, Ohio who not only treats their listeners to an awesome experience for free...but in doing so, exposes music to the greater Akron-Canton-Cleveland market, spawning record sales and helping to launch careers with this station's support.


A few radio stations around the country have emulated WQMX's showcase concept, but most artists coming though tell us that ours is the coolest radio venue they've ever played. We're proud that the WQMX Rising Star Showcase has become a local tradition, and a national example for other stations.