#BeYourOwnIcon: That Girl in the Morning
Most high schoolers haven’t the faintest clue what they’re going to be when they grow up. But at the age of 16, Cape Cod native Cat Wilson discovered her passion for radio while a student at Tabor Academy.
For roughly three decades, she has endured in the business as a friendly, welcoming voice of the airwaves. Her affability extends well beyond the walls of Cape Cod Broadcasting where she currently works; she can be heard weekday mornings as “That Girl” on Cape Country 104. Whether it’s riding a float in a local Christmas parade, participating in the annual Seaside Le Mans race at Mashpee Commons or on stage at the Barnstable County Fair, Wilson can often be seen sporting not only a cowboy hat, but a smile that shows she clearly enjoys what she does.
Over the years, she has used her position to improve our community. She is a champion for causes that go to support our veterans and those currently in the military. And last month, she encouraged listeners and readers of CapeCod.com to donate gifts to over 200 families in need on Cape Cod. You can read about the impact of that drive here.
Thanks to her longtime show, The Cheap Seats, which can be heard on Ocean 104.7 on Sunday evenings, listeners are exposed to local bands, singers and musicians from throughout New England.
As a deejay, Wilson has the opportunity to make a listener’s day thanks to promotional items (cash, concert tickets and more) given away as prizes. One of her favorites was a trip to Hollywood to see Kiss in concert for Halloween. In December, the tables were turned when Wilson won our 12 Days of Christmas Instagram contest, earning her a pair of sunglasses for her and her true love.
She chose a pair of Smith sunglasses for herself and a pair of Serengetis for her true love, Matt (Modeled here by our store manager, Eric). We caught up with Wilson to talk about her career, her causes and her new sunglasses.
American Sunglass: As a radio deejay, you’re in the enviable position of being able to give away prizes to your listeners. What was it like to be on the other side of the equation?
Wilson: Ummmm, I have to admit, I don’t get to win very often. I won $10 on a scratch ticket someone gave me. I cashed it in for another ticket and walked away empty-handed.
AS: How are you and Matt enjoying your new sunglasses?
Wilson: Can I just tell you how handsome Matt looks in his glasses? He couldn’t come with me to pick them out so the poor manager at the store had to model every pair for me! As for my own, I’ve never had Smith glasses before and it’s often difficult to find frames that fit my little head. These are amazing!
AS: You’ve been a deejay for many years. What do you like best about your job?
Wilson: I like that I have the chance to make people laugh every day. I also love music so if you combine the two, I am the luckiest girl in the world.
AS: Many people on Cape Cod know you from your show, The Cheap Seats, which places a spotlight on local music being made here in New England. Why is it important for you to give area singers, bands and musicians this type of an outlet?
Wilson: Try to imagine one day without music. Nothing. No cell phone rings, no video game music, no stereo in your car, no theme music for movies or TV shows, no lullabies for children. Without a gateway, we wouldn’t have music in our lives. How horrible would that be?
The longer answer: the music industry has dramatically changed in the past decade. There is no such thing as artist development anymore. This is a very small way to help give a leg up to independent musicians and to introduce other music fans to new music.
AS: Last year, you wrote a very funny, self-deprecating series of blogs (click here, here and here) about dating following a break up. Why did you decide to be so public with your readers and what do you think you got out of it? Do you think it was cathartic, in a way?
Wilson: Of course, it was cathartic. I felt like I was at a very low point in my life for many reasons, not just because I was dumped. Sometimes you have to make a choice: wallow in the dark or swallow your pride. I find that laughing at myself is a way of letting everyone know that it’s going to be okay. And if someone can relate, perhaps it will give them a reason to laugh and step out of that dark place too.
AS: In your position you’re able to promote causes that are important to you, including supporting our veterans and helping out those who are less fortunate in our community. Can you talk about what these causes mean to you?
Wilson: That’s a big question. This is my home. These are my friends and neighbors. No one likes to have a bad day, bad month or bad year. Every moment is special and every life is precious.
These military members, police officers and firemen have offered up their lives, without hesitation, often with great emotional and physical sacrifice so that I can sleep in a comfortable bed, wake up, have a cup of coffee, walk my dogs and go to work without having to worry about my own safety. Why wouldn’t you want to do something for them?
As far as those who are less fortunate in the community, this is Cape Cod. Any one of us is a car accident away from having our entire financial life turned upside down; one malignant tumor away from losing everything; one downsizing notification away from losing our livelihood. I would hope if something were to happen to me, I would have a support system to help me along. In the meantime, I make sure that I do whatever I can to support the people in my community who might need just a little extra help themselves.
To learn more about Cat Wilson, like That Girl In The Morning on Facebook and follow her on Instagram and Twitter. And make sure to like American Sunglass on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter for updates on our next sunglass giveaway!