1. How did you wind
up at WGTS?I began interning at the
station as a student in 1997 as I was completing my
degree in Communications and Broadcast Media. After
graduation, a part time position opened as weekend
board op and announcer. After some time a news
position opened, and then eventually the Asst. PD
position which I applied for and got.
2. What is the
most fulfilling aspect to you personally about
Christian radio?
The feedback from the
listeners. I feel so blessed everytime I get an email
or phone call telling us that we’ve touched their
family. They appreciate what we do and what we
provide for their children. As a mom myself, that is
huge to me.
3.How has God used
you in your role at WGTS?
I feel like I’m still a
work in progress. It’s amazing where God has led me
and what He’s taught me so far. He’s really allowed
me to be a vessel for Him. I feel particularly
privileged to be able to work with amazing radio
consultants like Alan Mason of Audience Development
Group, and the materials available to programmers
these days make my job so much more fun and
challenging. I really see a mission that lies before
me and I’m trying to improve and grow little by little
each day.
4. What is the
criteria that determines if a song receives airplay on
your station?
Audience panels and
listener testing, whether a song fits our format, how
well it’s produced, sing ability, the message, and of
course, how many spaces we have for adds in a
particular week.
5. What kind of
promotions work best for your station?
Promotions that make a
difference for less fortunate families in our
community. Our audience always wants to lend a
helping hand, especially when it comes to their own
“neighbors”. We’ve done several promotions with
Central Union Mission—one of our local
homeless shelters. One of our biggest hits with them
was at Christmastime, listeners were given a profile
of a child along with that child’s wish list for
Christmas. Our listeners ate that up—being able to
make Christmas special for one homeless child at a
time in our own hometown. The Mission has really been
blessed by our listeners. And our listeners have
really been blessed by being able to make a
difference. As far as giving our listeners
something? They love getting “family 4 packs” of
tickets to concerts or tickets to conferences like
Rekindling the Romance and I Still Do—stuff about
relationships goes over huge.
6. How do you
think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
I’ve been happy with how
WGTS 91.9 has been serviced. I particularly like it
when creative contesting is offered to us.
7. In your opinion
what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio
today?
Definitions—of what
Christian Radio should be, how dj’s should act, things
we “should” talk about, etc. There will always be
people pointing a finger and arguing over not being
Christian enough or being too Christian. But the real
test is: What makes people listen? What gets their
attention? How do we reach people? How do we make
friends with them? All these things have to happen
first and foremost, in my opinion.
8. What do you
believe is the primary role of the Christian radio air
personality today?
To be a warm, friendly,
companion to accompany my demo (Barb) through her busy
day. Someone that talks about things Barb finds
interesting and relevant to her, that taps into her
emotions—talking about kids and family, God, career,
health, relationships, etc. and relating all of that
with top of mind issues like school starting, whatever
holiday is coming up, whether we’re at war, etc. It’s
a tricky job these days, the pay may not be great, and
the hours are long, but very rewarding if it’s done
right.
9. What (if any)
other Christian radio stations do you consider as
innovators today?
There are so many. KTSY
in Boise, Way-FM, KSBJ, Z88.3 Positive Hits, The Fish
in Atlanta--the Morning Show is awesome, J93.3 in
Atlanta
10. Where do you
see Christian radio in 5 years?
I’ve been amazed at how
Christian Radio is reaching the needs of the
masses—real people. I think it’s great that there’s
been a “revolution” almost in stations programming to
a particular demo. I hope that continues, and I think
if it does, we’ll go places we couldn’t image today.
I think we’re on the right track and it’s really neat
to see the potential.