For Immediate Release

January 29, 2016

Blarney Stone’s Knepper Wins Grayling’s

‘You Made It Happen’ Award

Rebecca Knepper, account executive with Blarney Stone Broadcasting, is this year’s winner of the “You Made It Happen” award from the Grayling Chamber of Commerce,

She was chosen from among 10 finalists for her work the past 17 years as a volunteer for the annual Classic Car Show during festivities surrounding the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. For the last eight years under her direction the Car Show has generated $21,000 for the Chamber.

Knepper also was a finalist for the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year Award in a ceremony Thursday at the Ramada Inn.

“I’m very honored,” she said in accepting her award. “But I have to say, seriously, I could not have done this for so long without the help and support of my sponsors. They allowed me to do what I have loved doing all those years.”

Now Knepper is turning her attention to the popular “Back to Bricks Classic Car Tour,” which is expected to bring as many as 250 classic autos to Grayling June 13-14. The tour starts on June 10 in Flint and also stops in Ypsilanti, Port Huron, East Tawas and West Branch before ending in Birch Run.

Knepper is thrilled that the drivers and their guests will be spending the night in Grayling, and she’s intent on rolling out the red carpet for them by securing discounts from restaurants, stores and auto parts dealers who might enjoy the benefits of 500 or so out-of-town guests here for the better part of two days. A highlight of their stay will be a tour of Camp Grayling, facilitated by Blarney Stone President and CEO Sheryl Coyne.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that Becky was recognized for this prestigious award,” Coyne said, “but I have to say we’re not at all surprised. Becky works tirelessly on behalf of this community, just as she does with the people she meets as a representative of our radio network. We’re proud to have her as a member of our Blarney Stone family, and we’re so grateful for all she does for Grayling.”

PHOTO CAPTION:  State Representative Bruce Rendon presents a State of Michigan Special Tribute to Rebecca Knepper of Blarney Stone Broadcasting for the 2015 You Made It Happen Award last night at the Grayling Regional Chamber Awards event.

For more information please contact Maureen Barkume, VP Operations at Blarney Stone Broadcasting, 989-348-6171 or cell 248-229-8476 or Maureen@blarneystonebroadcasting.com

Blarney Stone Broadcasting, co-owned by Sheryl and Jerry Coyne, operates: WQON (100.3 FM) Rock & Roll – 60,000 watts (Detroit Lions, University of Michigan Football and Basketball, Grayling Viking Football and Basketball); WGRY (101.1 FM) and WMQU AM 1230, YOUR Sports Talk Station (Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons). Blarney Stone Broadcasting assumed ownership of the three stations based in Grayling, MI on October 2, 2012. Blarney Stone Broadcasting is a community orientated media resource in Northern Michigan dedicated to providing local information, entertainment and promotions focused on the needs of the audience and the businesses that serve the audience. With over 28 years of experience in broadcast and marketing, Blarney Stone Broadcasting is committed to growing local business in Northern Michigan