The Christian Radio Homepage

Jim's Career Capsule

I became interested in a radio career in 1973, and attended Elkins Institute in Denver. Later, I took Communications at the U. of Northern Colorado. My first radio job was in public radio where we played blue grass music until noon and classical after noon! I was first introduced to Christian radio in 1977, and it changed my life. I have worked in Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois and Minnesota, but my greatest growth has come in the last three years working with the likes of Tim McDermott, Jon Hull and Tom Carter.

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

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the US, and has an Hispanic majority. There are many needs to meet here, including the fact that it’s the number one city in America for teen pregnancy. But our churches are uniquely united in brotherhood and fellowship.

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

I love the fact that I can talk about the love of Jesus, great and powerful music, and my personal life in a setting in which thousands can be ministered. Plus, radio equipment still excites me after all these years.

3. Here is your chance to testify on behalf of your station...How has God used KSBJ?

We are listener-supported and VERY careful not to sound commercialized. After working in commercial radio for so many years, this is a refreshing change. And our listeners continuously tell us how much they appreciate it. All that sets the stage for us to minister in many ways, like taking prayer requests from listeners, and through many promotions that meet the needs of a myriad of entities (Crisis Pregnancy Centers, Regional Blood Centers, HIV/AIDS patients, single moms and other family issues, the poor, students and their schools, job banks, youth conferences, adoption agencies and many more). Plus, God uses our concerts and brownbags to reach thousands more.

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

A song must pass through a few “filters” . It must come from a singer or group who is known as a Christian artist, and whose lifestyle reflects Christianity. The lyrics must be contemporary and expound a compelling Christian message, and be understandable to the adult audience. The track must meet contemporary standards for quality and Adult Contemporary Christian radio airplay.

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

Concerts are the biggest, but we also get a tremendous response to our annual blood drive and the Giving Tree around Christmas time.

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

Treat all stations – large and small – as equals. Every station reaches listeners/consumers, and just because ours reaches thousands more than a small-market station shouldn’t mean that they should be serviced with any less enthusiasm and priority.

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

We’ve come a long way, but in many cases we may be our own biggest obstacles. There are still too many Christian stations who could thrive if they put more resources into music research and consultation.

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

We owe our listeners much more than the ritual spewing of station liners.

We need to go way beyond announcing and communicating to connecting. Not every jock break can be a home run, but a lot of jocks (me included) need to up the percentage of patter that zeros in on what really, really matters to our core listener.

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

Bob Augsburg has done amazing things with WAY-FM, and you can’t ignore the success of major players like Salem and its Fish stations.