Clark Gibson

Clark Gibson is Production Director at WUTC, and host of Live in the Library and The Moonlight Mile. He is a graduate of UTC.

Contact: clark-gibson@utc.edu or 423-425-4756

Q&A With Clark Gibson

How has music shaped your life?

Music has deeply shaped my identity, even influencing the way I would dress and speak at an early age. Music even defined my aesthetic — wanting to look like the mysterious guitar player from Almost Famous, I always sported worn-out jeans and long hair. I still remember hearing Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever for the first time and instantly feeling like the main character in my own movie.

Growing up, my mom played artists like R.E.M. and the Violent Femmes around the house, exposing me to a level of artistic seriousness that resonated with me. My dad would play a solid mix of 80's funk that he grew up on, and classic country like Willie Nelson. Music quickly became the first thing that felt entirely my own, sparking my curiosity and teaching me to think critically.

Around 2014, early in the vinyl resurgence, a friend’s grandfather gifted me a collection of classic records, including The Beatles' Abbey Road and Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced?. That collection sent me down a blues rabbit hole, inspiring me to pick up the guitar and start playing. Throughout high school and my early twenties, live shows were my entire world: I discovered countless bands and made some of my best memories at concerts.

What's your favorite thing about hosting your show?

Sharing the music you love with others is incredibly fulfilling. I never had much of an idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I can remember thinking that the radio DJs on the classic rock stations I listened to were the coolest people on the planet. So, in a way, I really am living out one of my dreams. My 15-year-old self would be super proud of the 27-year-old version of myself.

What is your best hosting memory?

That's a tough one. Honestly, anytime CT Martin — the host of The Retro Opry Collective — sends me a voice message during my show and lets me know she is enjoying the tunes. That always means a lot coming from her.

What is a fun fact about yourself that your listeners may not know?

I really enjoy cooking, and I must say I'm pretty good at it. I also play guitar and write. During the spring and summer, I spend most of my free time kayaking rivers and doing a lot of fishing — and mostly no catching.

What is your favorite album / artist this year?

Chapter 1 from Sault. On the local side, “ Song For Dogs” by Roland Dixon and “Sittin' on G Waitin' on O” by Sam and the Big Boys.