|
Johnny's
Career Capsule
1993-1994 PM Drive / Promotions
Director for Z-106.7 (CHR) Evansville, IN
1994-1996 PM Drive / APD / Music
Director for WYNG (Country) Evansville, IN
1996-2001 Program Director /
Morning Show Host for WLKT (CHR) Clear Channel of Lexington, KY
2001-2003 Program Director / PM
Drive Host for WQEN (CHR) Clear Channel of Birmingham, AL
2003-2004 Morning Show Host for HOT
104 in Mobile, AL
2004-September 2005 Program
Director / PM Drive Host for WVSR (CHR) Charleston, WV
September 2005 - Present Program
Director / PM Drive Host for WBVM-WLMS-WWLC, SPIRIT-FM Tampa, FL
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”?
Before any show,
meeting, event etc... I always start with a prayer asking for
guidance with every decision I make to help grow the Spirit FM
ministry. What would Jesus do? ...is always a great question to
start with at a brainstorm session.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio
different today, from 5 years ago?
I've only been in Christian radio for a
year, but I will say that the stereotype of what a "Christian"
station sounds like has changed. Even while programming secular top
40 radio over the past 5 years, I added songs from Grits, Lifehouse,
and Switchfoot. That's what changed my mind that Christian music was
not "Church" music. The songs sounded the same as what was on
secular CHR, except it has a better message.
3. What do you think are the main
characteristics of today’s Christian radio PD?
Having Passion for Christ and for
creating compelling radio.
4. What criteria do you require for a
song to be played on your station?
My music Director Olivia burns a CD with
all the songs we are considering
and gives it to people in our office, friends, family, etc to get as
much feedback as possible. Then we put the top down and take a drive
across the Bay while listening to all the new music and see what
fits our sound. We also look to our online music team to tell us
what songs have big potential or burn.
5. What kind of promotions work best for
Christian radio?
A Promotion that helps a community need
or charity always opens listener hearts. It's a homerun anytime you
can create a promotion where listeners are rewarded with a station
gift (CD, T shirt, Concert Tix) for donating their time, talent, or
treasure to a local outreach or charity.
6. How do you think Christian Record
labels can better serve Christian radio?
To work with local programmers and
promotion directors to create exciting promotions that bring the
artist and listener together. An in studio acoustic performance for
20 lucky listeners, group or artist voice tracks a weekend shift as
a guest DJ on the weekend before their album is released, etc. With
so many new artists and new listeners coming to out format, it's
crucial that we build artist awareness. Like country radio
listeners, Christian radio listeners are very loyal and want to feel
like they know the artist personally.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest
obstacles facing Christian radio today?
Getting over the stereotype of what
Christian radio sounds like. Regardless of market size or budget,
there's no excuse for not creating exciting promotions, compelling
content from air talent, and larger than life imaging that doesn't
sound like college radio.
8. What do you believe is the
primary role of the Christian radio air personality?
To be more than just a voice who
tells you "What song that is... the current time is now... my name
is...on your favorite station...." It's all about relationships.
With all the technology that allows us to communicate directly with
our listeners, it's essential that you use these tools to find out
what's going on in our listeners lives. What they worry about, what
their dreams are, what song that is. If you're not talking about
your real life on the air, you won't sound real.
9. What (if any) Christian
radio stations do you consider as innovators today?
Before I became PD of Spirit FM, I
would've said, Spirit FM. But now if I say that it looks like I'm
just "Tootin my own horn". Toot away!! The Hook (WJYF) in Georgia
and WDJC in Birmingham were two stations I kept up with when I was
in the evil Clear Channel empire.
10. Where do you see Christian
radio in 5 years?
Christian radio will see tremendous
growth in the next 5 years. With the spiritual warfare that is going
on in our world and especially on our country, people are searching
for something to provide a balance in their life. Something they can
trust and hold on to. A positive outlet that lifts them up.
Previous Interviews
|
