Brandi's Career Capsule
Getting into radio was kind of a fluke for me. I was working in customer service and my boss noticed that our customers always commented on my voice. She told me I should explore radio, so I did. Since I majored in Journalism and Creative Writing in college, I thought maybe I should look into writing and doing news for radio. I went back to school for Radio Broadcasting/TV Production, then landed my first real radio job doing Morning News at KMET Country Hits in Beaumont, Ca. I left there to do News/Traffic/Weather for various Clear Channel stations throughout Southern California. One of the stations I did traffic for was 89.7 KSGN. When I went to a meeting for the KSGN street team, the PD at the time Scott Michaels called me the next day and said “hey aren’t you the Brandi Lanai who does our traffic?” I said “yes” and he asked if I’d be interested in interviewing for their Morning News position. I came back for the interview with Scott and Art Garza and got the job. I’ve been at KSGN going on 6 years now and have worn the News Girl hat and have been the Morning Show Producer. Currently I do morning news for the Scott and Sam show, an on-air shift, and I am the Music Director.

1. How has KSGN evolved over the last few years?

It’s incredible to see how KSGN has grown in the time that I’ve been here. When I started we had something like 66,000 listeners. Now we’re well over 200,000 listeners. We’ve gone from looking at ourselves as this tiny little radio station, to seeing ourselves as this tiny little radio station making a big impact. God is doing amazing things through KSGN and we’re just thankful to be a part of it.

2. Has KSGN made any changes due to economic situation, been affected in any way?

Since the economy went sour everyone at KSGN has had to turn over the keys to their Bentleys and Hummers and sadly we had to let go of our afternoon masseuse. It’s been rough. No seriously, there have been some vacant positions here that will have to stay vacant for now due to the economy, and with 12.5% unemployment in California right now, our donations are definitely feeling the squeeze. But we’ve always had a small staff so everyone’s used to wearing several hats and keeping a tight budget.

3. What criteria do you require for a song to be played on your station?

We look for songs that our listeners can connect with and relate to, songs that will encourage them in their faith, in their struggles and victories, and songs that will point them towards a relationship with Christ. I hope the songs they hear on KSGN will help them push forward through a long day and keep a clear focus on the things in life that matter most.

4. What kind of promotions work best for Christian radio?

Key chains. An awesome key chain can speak volumes about your station. I’m kidding again, sorry. I think promotions where the listener is encouraged to involve their friends and family, people who may not be listeners. Then those people tune in just to see what we’re all about. It doesn’t take long before they’re drawn into the music and the message they hear on KSGN. Promotions that create a viral buzz for sure.

5. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve Christian radio?

Stop skipping over California! Bring us your artists, your concerts and tours.  We are NOT the big bad wolf, there are Christians in California, real, live Christians, come see us! I feel better now. No, the record labels are great. Hi guys.

6. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio today?

I think striking the balance between business and ministry is one of the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio today. It’s easy to get so caught up in the day to day operations of it all that we have to remind ourselves we are doing His work. And His work is all about serving and loving people. That may mean sometimes doing things that don’t make sense to the business, but make total sense to the ministry.

7. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio air personality?

To be real, real about our lives and our “stuff”. Our listeners are real people going through real life and they want to know that we’re real people too. If my kid is struggling in math and I’m on-air celebrating the C he brought home on his last test, SHE may be saying “that’s what’s going on in my house”. SHE can relate to that.

8. What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as innovators today?

Not to sound self-serving or puffed up, but I think KSGN is a major innovator. I look at what we’ve been able to accomplish with just 2 live on-air jocks in the building and a few really awesome voice-trackers. We’ve also taken some risks with music by adding several artists that may not be well known, but are coming off the blocks with some pretty powerful songs. Everything we’re doing seems to be clicking with our listeners.

9. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?

I think in 5 years Christian radio will be playing an even bigger role in the community. Opportunities to be His hands and feet are all around us and are showing up more and more every day. Whether it’s a local teen pregnancy center, a women’s crisis center, a veteran’s shelter, or an at risk teen’s graduation ceremony, we need to be there every chance we get showing His love and His grace.

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