We are a commercial radio station, so I work
up ideas/promotions for our sales folks to go pitch to business
owners. But mostly, my job is to make sure we have an excellent
product on the air.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio
different today, from 5 years ago?
The music just keeps getting better! I am
impressed day after day at the way artists are stretching themselves
musically and with the Truth of the gospel. There are definitely
more "sub-genres" now!
3. What do you think are the main
characteristics of today’s Christian radio PD?
Time management is a BIGGIE - and be ready to
delegate. Ability to plan ahead! And MUST be a person of prayer, who
exhibits care for co-workers.
4. What criteria do you require for a
song to be played on your station?
Must be well-produced, on CD or sent
electronically. And it must fit our format (AC Christian, Praise, or
Rock for Spirit 95, or Solid Gospel for MyJoy). We rarely play local
artists, as we are Salem affiliates.
5. What kind of promotions work best for
Christian radio?
High listener involvement! Get their
creativeness going!
6. How do you think Christian Record
labels can better serve Christian radio?
The best relationships I have with record
labels are the ones who contact me about doing phoners and make sure
I have the latest release of their artists. And free CD giveaways do
a lot to endear me to ARs! The biggest thing is to keep the music
releases coming to the stations!
7. In your opinion what are the biggest
obstacles facing Christian radio today?
There's apathy among Christian listeners -
they now have media bombardment even from us, so the biggest
challenge is to stay real. Not all sugary and rosey, but actually
take on some tough questions.
8. What do you believe is the primary
role of the Christian radio air personality?
Very similar to the mission of radio in
general, the on-air person has to be a reliable, believable brother
or sister in the faith. Be ready to be real, be challenging, laugh
at yourself, and admit you're not perfect and need the Cross just as
much as the next guy.
9. What (if any) Christian radio
stations do you consider as innovators today?
AIR-1 stations sound great - they are on top
of some up and coming, hot artists. I like to think we here are
Spirit are taking new strides in commercial Christian radio with our
promotions and the heart we bring to the air.
10. Where do you see Christian radio in
5 years?
Christian radio needs to evolve into a
crossroads for the believers in a community, the place where the
unity banner is raised. It needs to be a forum for learning
together, building up the faith-muscles of the members and loving
fellow Jesus-followers.