by Renda Ashley

Created on: September 06, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The only thing to eat in our cramped apartment was stale bread. With a growling stomach, I went to the store and bought a dollar carton of pimento spreadable cheese with a hot check. Most of my meals consisted of "new food" that the friendly women in hairnets offered samples of at the local grocery stores.

Life was not turning out the way I had planned it. My dream had been to be a country singer in Nashville. I met with a manager and a well-known producer. A few more years and I might have been the nextNo use thinking about that now. I threw all of my chances away when I married a crazy man. Although his family was wealthy, his stints in and out of mental hospitals kept him out of the family business and on a small family allowance.

One day, as I was driving around, trying to find employment, it occurred to me that if I could learn the entertainment business from the radio side of it, maybe I would still have a shot at it. I pulled into the radio station and boldly asked to speak to the manager. I got the job. Things were unbearable at home. I did what I could to avoid being slung against a wall, screamed at or torn down both emotionally and physically. He wasn't just crazy, he was crazy mean. I sold advertising for the small station but what I really wanted to do was be a Talk Show Host. I could learn all about the music industry from those who had made it in the business. I could learn about anything my heart desired from any expert in the world!
"How can you be a talk show host?" my ex-husband jeered. "With your Texas accent? And your English Don't even get me started..."
Hurt, with his words still ringing in my ears, I decided that if I was going to have a talk show I would have to book someone famous, then my boss would have to give me a show. I had always admired Glen Campbell. What if I could interview him? In Person?
I reached his publicist and set up the interview. I was going to interview Glen Campbell!
My boss agreed that if I could sell the show then I could have my own show. I got a sponsor and the day was fast approaching for my first interview, ever. I had never even spoken on the air.

"Annie, you're on the air in 3 minutes." The producer poked his head into my office and informed me."

I had to promote my show on the air. My throat closed up, and my lungs were no longer getting oxygen. My stomach ached (but this time it wasn't from hunger.)I sat in the studio and prayed until it was time to go on the air. When the microphone was turned on, the on

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