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Radio Interview

                                     

Denise Ray

Program Director

WVNI

Bloomington, IN

 

 

Denise's Career Capsule
 My true beginnings in radio began when my dad had to burn rubber from WRFN in Northern Indiana to the hospital for my birth - before the days of cell phones -and the dj's ribbed him on the air. I worked as a student manager and on-air talent at WQME in Anderson, Indiana, while completing my undergrad work in Broadcast Productions. I first began working at WVNI in 2002, and became Operations Manager of WVNI and WMYJ in 2005.

 

1. Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”? 

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.

 

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