WQSV Profile:
Daniel Lee
How did you come to be involved with WQSV? And how long have you been involved?
Several months prior to relocation from Texas, I visited Staunton for a week to build a fence at the newly acquired home. I scanned through stations on the truck stereo and locked in 106.3 immediately and never deviated from the station. During that week I listened to all the various programs, diverse offerings, and local goodness. Among the great shows I heard Out of The Crate with Steve The Painter and made sure my vinyl was packed in a convenient and accessible location so that I could participate in the program after the big move.
When did you start DJing? Are there any DJs who influenced you? Or something/someone else who influenced you?
After settling in Staunton, there were various Out of The Crate vinyl sets with Steve but my first solo gig as a DJ was when friend and fellow WQSV DJ, Big Pappy Turtleneck very generously offered me his radio spot one evening. After scrutinizing the playlist for several days It was finally time to deliver live on the air. After that nerve racking experience I was hooked.
Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas there were numerous radio station influences and big on air personalities. In the earlier years it was KAFM 92 1/2, which showcased Rock, Top 40, Progressive Country/Western Swing, Adult Rock and Jazz. Then KAMC, Hard-core Country and Outlaw Country music. We had KSCS Country, The Eagle 97 Rock, Q102 Rock, KZEW, The Zoo, and Classic Rock which featured programs like the Dr. Demento show. The AM Broadcast WBAP, which was the metroplex life-blood and favorite of the old timers, featured weather, live Ranger game broadcasts, farm reports, and traffic reports via a helicopter! After moving to and living in and around Austin for over 22 years, I developed a real respect and awe for local radio personality and legend Larry Monroe.
Talk about your connection to music/the role music plays in your life.
When I was growing up the radio was always on. At home or in the car, there was always music. We had a big Zenith console in the living room. I think I had my own radio at 7 or 8. My older brother had a great HiFi stereo system that all the neighborhood kids came over to the house to listen to. As young kids we had access to records, 8 tracks, and cassettes. Now, as an adult the stereo is always on and I still have access to records, 8 tracks, cassettes, CDs, and now streaming! Music is one of the most important facets of my life, a constant source of solace and great inspiration.
Describe your show.
My show, The Horseshoe Lounge is a program rooted in older Country Music. The playlist, usually established via theme, topic, or stand out song, expands from those country roots, inviting all genres of music within that theme or common thread. My hope each week by the show’s end, is to create a set that becomes a stand alone composition.
Who are some of your favorite musicians and why?
My favorite musicians are singers/songwriters, composers, masters at their craft: Willie Nelson, John Prine, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Herbie Hancock, Neil Young, Levon Helm, John Coltrane, The Stones, Merle Haggard, Taj Mahal, Johnny Cash…
What is your first memory involving music?
My first memories involving music are my grandmother (MeMaw) singing me crazy songs like “Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas”, and 42 others, 8 tracks on road trips in the Econoline, 50’s Pop music on the record player (Purple People Eater), my first Cassette tapes, Eagles, Bee Gees, K-Tel 70’s Country Hits.
What was the first concert you attended?
My first concert (or live performance) was the Johnnie High Show at the Will Rogers Auditorium in Ft. Worth, a weekly country music variety show. First time I attended I was in the 5th grade. The first real stand out concert memory was Crosby Stills and Nash then Pink Floyd in 1987.
How do you go about building your show?
A particular song, a conversation, a mood, or even a popular topic might guide my weekly playlist and song selection. Once the idea is solidified, the theme develops and the show builds itself. I just orchestrate what I feel is the most logical and fluid order for the playlist.
Do you have any particular criteria when selecting music for your show?
A quality composition, whatever genre, and songs that are the perfect puzzle piece for development of the Horseshoe Lounge weekly theme, guides the playlist.