Brent Lane will never forget that sound.
The soft, steady beep of hospital monitors.
The sight of his tiny newborn son curled in a NICU bed.
The kind of quiet that sits heavy in your chest.
Brent and Angela Lane with son, Carson.“He fit in the palm of my hand,” Brent said, his voice catching. He looked down, absently tugging at his shirttail as tears started to well at the corners of his eyes.
For the popular morning voice of Cat Country 98.7, that day came 22 years ago when his son, Carson, arrived too soon and needed specialized care.
“We were blessed,” Brent said quietly. “Blessed to have a place that cared for our family so well.”
He continued, “Now that we live in Pensacola, we appreciate the value of being in a city that has a Level 3 NICU – and for a family who is full of questions, you can’t put a price on that. These parents don’t have to drive for hours. These Mom and Dads don’t have to be away from family. What a blessing to every family that lives here.”
Years earlier, as a young radio host, Brent had worked his first St. Jude Radiothon, learning how to tell stories that mattered.
So when the chance came to help the hospital that has cared for his own family over the years on more than one occasion, he didn’t hesitate—he knew exactly how to use his voice for something bigger than himself.
That place was the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. And this month, Brent will once again put his voice to work so other parents can have the same peace of mind he did.
From Radio Host to Advocate
On Thursday, August 15, Brent and the Cat Country crew will go live for the annual Cat Country Cares for Kids Radiothon. Every dollar raised will support the Children’s Hospital — this year, funding a game-changing treatment called LIT Therapy.
Think of it as a laser-guided miracle: doctors use a precisely guided laser instead of a scalpel to target and remove abnormal tissue in the brain, all while the patient is inside an MRI for real-time monitoring.
That means:
- Less pain for our smallest fighters
- Faster recovery — sometimes in days, not weeks
- Shorter hospital stays so kids can get back to their own beds
- Lower risk of complications and less damage to healthy brain tissue
- Better outcomes for both health and quality of life
For families, it’s not just medical progress — it’s a lifeline.
For Brent? It’s personal.
“It’s not about me,” Brent said, his voice steady but full of emotion. “It’s about the next parent standing in that NICU, praying for their baby, needing the same peace of mind I had.
When Angela was on bedrest and we were doing everything we could to help Carson’s lungs grow, it was overwhelming – scary, exhausting, and emotional. But we had a super team to walk with us through it. I want every family to have that same support. That’s why we do this.”
The Heart Behind the Mic
If you’ve listened to Brent in the mornings, you know he’s quick with a joke and just as quick to shine a light on someone doing good. But underneath the humor is a steady sense of purpose.
“The mic is a tool,” Brent said. “It lets me shine a light on the people and places that make this community stronger.”
It’s why the Radiothon feels like such a natural fit — it blends his gift for connection with his passion for service.
A Community That Shows Up
Brent has seen it year after year: when there’s a need, Pensacola shows up. During Radiothon, the phones light up with calls from parents, grandparents, and even kids breaking open piggy banks.
“We talk a lot about what makes Pensacola special,” he said. “This is it. People here care. They give. They show up. And they keep doing it. This place is community-driven, and it is where our family has thrived.”
And with every pledge, another child’s care becomes possible — whether they’re taking their first breaths in the NICU, recovering from surgery, or receiving ongoing treatment.
Looking Ahead
On August 15, Brent will sit down behind the mic again — this time with 22 years of perspective and gratitude.
“I’ll always be that dad in the NICU,” he said. “And I’ll always be grateful for the people who got my son home. This is my way of saying thank you — and making sure we can keep saying it so that others know there is help.”
How to Take Part – Cat Country Cares for Kids Radiothon
📍 Live on Cat Country 98.7 and at Studer Family Children’s Hospital
📅 Thursday, August 15
💻 https://bit.ly/CatCountry987CaresForKids2025
📞 Call during the broadcast to pledge your support: (850) 416 – KIDS (5437)
