1. Tell us about your market and how it is unique?

After attending Northwestern College (and meeting my wonderful wife, Sue, of 30 years) I came back to my family business/ministry at WWIB.  In the days before automation I worked just about every airshift- from middays to midnight.  A few years after I began working full time I started a daily interview show with professional and amateur Christian sports personalities from across the country (which is still on WWIB to this day.)  In 1985 we signed on with a station on the AM dial, 680- WOGO.  After morphing through several format changes including Clean Country and a business format, I have taken on a news/talk format that includes: Bill O’Reilly, Laura Ingram, Dave Ramsey and Hugh Hewitt.  I’m Station Manager and Program Director of WWIB, a personality oriented AC 100,000 Watt Commercial FM station. 

When we first signed on over 30 years ago our regional market tended to be an equal mix of rural and small towns.  In the last 10 to 15 years a number of small towns have grown into busy mini metros.  While retaining a friendly, folksy feeling our market has become a growing region that appreciates Contemporary Christian radio.

 

2. What is the most fulfilling aspect to you personally about Christian radio?

I think knowing that your're doing something of eternal value is most fulfilling.  When you receive a letter, e-mail or phone call (which we frequently do) about someone who has trusted Christ as Savior because of something he or she heard on the station I’m reminded how important this work is.

 

3. How do you personally keep the ministry in the business?

Ministry comes first here.  We meet weekly as a staff and pray for the needs that our listeners have shared with us.  I make a point to read the mail that comes in so I can stay connected to the heart of our listeners.

 

4. What is the criteria that determines if a song receives airplay on your station?

The words of the song must be consistent with scriptural reading.  The song needs a musical hook to draw the listener in.  Christian music today is the best in the world, so we’re proud to be an AC Reporting Station.  Any time we can we try to make some room for local artists if the music is of good enough quality.

 

5. What kind of promotions work best for your station?

We do a number of promotions every year.  Those include:

1)     the Back to School Makeover contest (this year we gave over $5,000.00 in prizes)

2)     2) Woman of the Year.  Listeners nominate their candidate for Woman of the Year.  (Overall winner and county winners receive cash & prizes.)

3)     3) Great Vacation Giveaway.  (Each spring we give away a grand prize wit the theme of vacationing. Might win a trip, might be a camping package, etc.)

 

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

I think generally the labels do a great job.  I’d like to see them push through the singles a little bit faster so we aren’t sitting on one song from each artist so long.

 

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

I’d say two main obstacles:  The secular world thinking that nobody listened to Christian radio and the Christian community taking Christian radio for granted.

 

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

I guess it would be as a communication of the gospel in such an entertaining effective manner that listeners don’t want to leave their radio for fear they’ll miss something.

 

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

I don’t really have one station that I look at and say, “We need to be just like them.”  I think I learned something from a lot of Christian radio stations from across the country.

 

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

With the advent of satellite radio, some have predicted the death of local radio, but I believe there will always be a place for local radio.  We must do the best job we can both technically and creatively.  With webcasting, podcasting and digital radio the future is bright if we’re progressive and imaginative.