Hospital director hosts Fiddler's Jamboree

For 28 years, the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree has been televised by WCTE-TV Channel 22 with long-time hosts, Becky Magura and Steve Boots.

This year, however, WCTE decided to shake things up and add a few new faces to the mix. Stones River Hospital Marketing Director Shan Burklow was amongthose chosen to host the LIVE broadcast throughout parts of the weekend with Friday co-host Suzanne Williams and Saturday co-host Brent Carl. Besides running the anchor chair, Burklow’s job included doing feature interviews with Jamboree President Jack Barton, local civic groups, and various stage talent along with the antics of colorful shade tree pickers.

Having been to every Jamboree since she was born, Burklow had watched WCTE film the Jamboree each of those twenty-eight years, “We were so very shocked, honored and excited to host the Jamboree this year for WCTE,” Burklow laughs, “I never dreamed I’d ever be hosting LIVE television for the Jamboree, but we fell in love with the WCTE staff at the very first meeting. Becky and Steve ‘held our hands’ throughout the process of a LIVE broadcast and are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. I just hope that I represented Stones River Hospital and DeKalb Community Hospital with good southern hospitality. If you didn’t laugh with us, then we figured that you could at least laugh AT us! It was an experience that I will not soon forget.”

When asked about her role in promoting tourism during the broadcast, DeKalb Chamber Executive Director Suzanne Williams replied, “When the producer asked if I would like to talk about tourism and things to do across the region, it was like asking if I like chocolate pie! I was so thrilled to promote DeKalb County and the middle Tennessee area to the Jamboree viewing audience across the region. Shan and I had a wonderful time and appreciate WCTE-TV, Becky and Steve, along with the producers for giving us this once in a lifetime opportunity. It wasn’t as easy as Becky and Steve make it look, but it sure was fun!”

In grand tradition, WCTE-TV Channel 22 will be filming next year’s Jamboree on July 4th and 5th, 2014…so mark your calendars and stay tuned.