Jessica “Carsen” Humphreville never set out to become a country radio fixture. She grew up in Connecticut, and country music was not exactly the soundtrack of her childhood. But nearly a decade after joining Big D & Bubba, she now hosts her own syndicated midday show, Country with Carsen, runs day-to-day operations for Silverfish Media, and has become one of the most recognized voices in the format.
Ahead of another award-nomination season, I caught up with Carsen to reflect on how she got here and where her focus lies today.
A Connecticut Kid Discovers Country
Carsen grew up in Connecticut, not exactly a location known for country music. But Carsen’s introduction to country music came from an unlikely source: her father, who worked at NBC. He came home one night talking about a concert airing that evening, featuring “some guy named Garth Brooks.” She watched him perform in a hat, sing about a rodeo, and get soaked in the rain before jumping off a ladder. The next day, she found 92.5 WWYZ on the radio and never looked back.
“90s country reeled me in, and altered the trajectory of my life,” she said. Even as the “weird kid” who listened to country in a school full of other tastes, she found something in the format that felt real. “Country is accessible, relatable, and genuine,” she explained, “even if I didn’t know what latigo was.”
That early spark carried her through college and eventually into a radio career that would take her far from Connecticut.
Joining a Team That Wanted Her to Be Herself
When Silverfish Media brought Carsen on board in 2016, she became the first female cast member of Big D & Bubba. Looking back nearly ten years later, she does not take that moment lightly.
“I don’t take it for granted, getting to join a team that was already at the top of their game,” she said. According to Carsen, the team wanted a female voice, but they wanted her to bring her own personality rather than fit a preset mold. There was no script to follow and no character to play.
Since then, she and her castmates have grown together. “They make me sharper and better and more creative every day,” she added. She credits the team for opportunities she says would not have existed otherwise, and she does not plan on going anywhere. “I will never have a better job than this,” she said, “and I hope to never have to prove that. They’re stuck with me.”
The Interviews That Stay With Her
Talking with country’s biggest stars is part of Carsen’s daily routine, but a few conversations stand out. She would talk to Garth Brooks every day if she could. “He’s so thoughtful in the answer to every question he’s asked,” she said.
Brad Paisley and Keith Urban also rank among her favorites, largely because both artists love discussing music beyond their own catalogs. She and Paisley have spent hours talking about the Rolling Stones’ country influences, while she and Urban share a mutual love of Iron Maiden.
For Carsen, those moments capture why she got into radio in the first place. “I got in this business because I love music, and talking about music is my favorite way to connect with people,” she said. Whether the guest is famous or not, finding that connection remains the highlight of any conversation for her.
That philosophy also shapes what she hopes listeners take away from her show. She wants new listeners to hear themselves reflected in her interviews, not through talk of a new single or project, but through shared, ordinary moments. “I’d love listeners to hear themselves in my interviews with their favorite artists,” she said. Laughing about an artist’s kids or their dog resonates more than a promotional plug ever could. “Those silly human things,” she added, “tie us all together.”
Trading the Mic for a Management Title
In 2023, Carsen added a new title to her résumé: Director of Operations & Programming for Silverfish Media. Despite the promotion, her priorities have not shifted much. “Whatever the title may imply, my focus remains on the content of our shows,” she said. Day to day she’s booking interviews, selecting music, and building programming that stations want to carry.
The hardest part of the job, she said, is saying no. “I don’t enjoy the turn down,” she admitted. Turning down an interview that does not fit the audience, or holding off on adding a song she personally loves, does not come easily to her. And that decision-making happens only after she wraps up ten hours of daily radio between Big D & Bubba and Country With Carsen.
Home Is Where the Couch Is
Ask Carsen for a favorite Nashville spot that is not on any tourist list, and she will point you toward her own living room. “It’s huge, and easily accessible to Diet Coke and snacks,” she said. Guests are always welcome, though if she is forced to leave the house, she recommends the Eighth Room, a spot within walking distance of her condo so the couch is never too far away.
Right now, her playlist centers on nostalgia. Beautiful Creatures’ self-titled debut album turns 25 this month, and Carsen recently filmed a video with the band’s bassist and guitarist to mark the anniversary. “It didn’t get its due back in the day,” she said, and she hopes fans finally give it a listen. She hopes the renewed attention could lead to a reunion show or two on the calendar, joking that she might need a few days off if that happens.
Passing the Mic
As has become tradition, I asked Carsen who she would like to spotlight in the format. She had high praise for Gideon Dean of WBQK, calling him deeply passionate about country radio and clever with social media. “I adore him,” she said, “he’s so passionate about our format and beyond clever with social media.” She also pointed to his show, Equal Play, as proof of his commitment to supporting women in the format.
She also hopes someone hires Ashley “Lux” Elzinga, who recently lost her job. Carsen has long admired Elzinga’s connection to her communities and her range across music radio, marketing, sports, and social media. “Whoever grabs her will be getting a superstar,” she said.
From a curious kid in Connecticut to a leading voice in Nashville radio, Carsen’s story reflects what keeps country listeners coming back: connection, honesty, and a genuine love for the music.
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Bethany Kent is a Music Radio Editor for Barrett Media. She spent nearly 20 years bringing radio to life on stages, across the airwaves, and through unforgettable listener experiences. Her career spans local markets including Providence, Philadelphia, and New York City, most recently serving as National Director of Music Initiatives for Audacy. From producing major live events like HOT 97’s Summer Jam to leading strategic national marketing initiatives, she has built a career at the intersection of music, media, and culture. She can be reached at bethany@barrettmedia.com.