NATCHEZ — Natchez First Radio Group’s WQNZ FM has lived out their slogan — “the south’s country giant,” at least in Mississippi.

On Tuesday, seven staff members from 95 Country traveled to the Hilton in Jackson to attend the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters annual awards ceremony luncheon. At the ceremony, 95 Country beat out other radio stations across the state in winning the 2007 Radio Station of the Year. The award includes small, medium and large markets. The award is based on community service, programs and series shows in addition to the personalities that host the shows.

“It is nice to be able to compete at that level,” President, CEO and General Manager of First Natchez Radio Group, Margaret Perkins said.

In order to be considered for the award, 95 Country had to submit a sound bite from several shows and commercials as well as a description of each clip to an outside panel of judges that had no ties to Mississippi.

The station also received Best of Show, which is based on public service, specifically the work they did with the Batson Children’s Hospital. It was also the first time in Mississippi Broadcasting history a small market has tied with a large. In addition to that, the station received the Community Service Award, seven gold medals and nine silver medals.

“We are competing with Hattiesburg, Tupelo, Meridian and Jackson and we were the best in show regardless of the size of the station,” Perkins said.

Perkins believes hard work from the staff and community have led to the station’s success.

“It is a combination of employee’s stellar performance, team work which is innovative and creative as well as quality professional work. They belong in a large market and we are lucky to have them,” Perkins said. “The community has been a driving force in what we do.”

The station was established in 1981, and shows no sign of slowing.

“We will do everything we can to win again,” Perkins said.