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Noonie's Career Capsule

Graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a degree in Telecommunications. *Little known trivia…I met my husband, Jon (K-Life’s GM) in the College radio station WIUS. He had the 8am sports cast and I had the 9am news cast. He started hanging around…J

My first job was in the video department of Campus Crusade for Christ’s Headquarters—at Arrowhead Springs, CA (before they relocated to Orlando). Jon directed the Radio Ministry. After over 4 years we left to start a radio station in the San Bernardino/Riverside Market. After 3 years of prep work, KLRD signed on in 1986. During my 8 years with the station, I worked as Music Director, Program Director, Mid-days & Mornings. *KLRD later became the flag ship station for the Air 1 radio network.

In 1994, we moved to San Luis Obispo to help sign-on a new CCM station with the ministry of Logos Broadcasting. 1995, KLFF signed on the air. For the first 2 years the programming was provided by the Word In Music Network out of Colorado Springs. I volunteered with production help and voice work. When the station went local with it’s programming in 1997, I voiced the Midday shift and provided the Music Direction. I remain in those roles and have added the additional Promotion Director responsibility.

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

K-Life is Coastal. The beautiful 101 freeway connects the three frequencies that make up our ‘market’. *See the frequency map at klife.org. The southern end of the signal is the LA County line and the northern end of the signal is the Monterey County line. There are over a dozen colleges and universities which impact the younger end of our 18-34 target demo.

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

God uses Christian Music in people’s lives! The mission statement of K-Life is to lead people into a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a privilege to be involved.

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

The minute it becomes business, I’m out.

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

The mission statement mentioned above. CHR playlist compatability. The target demo—18-34 females—center of the dartboard is the 25 year old. K-Life research history figures in…‘SHE’ prefers Rock over every other genre. ‘SHE’ is experimental, trendy and has an insatiable appetite for what is next.

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

Since K-Life expanded down the coast, we have additional challenges involving listeners who could literally live up to more than 2 ½ hours from the studio. The days of having listeners ‘come down to the studio’ have ended. We have had success with bookstore sign-up promotions and contests. Also, driving listeners to their local Rescue Mission, Pregnancy Counseling Center etc…

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

In these days of switching to digital downloads of singles…more communication! I would suggest that the Music Programmer receives lyrics and an information sheet about the ‘upcoming’ single in advance of the notice in our e-mail box. Something we can print out which contains all the important details on the song, from license to songwriter details. Lyrics are helpful to absorb before hearing the release. E-mail single delivery can fail and a single can be missed, delayed or neglected as a result.

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

Our God is in the heavens, He does whatever He pleases. Psalms 115; 3 I’d like to say that ‘funding’ is a big obstacle, but that doesn’t hold water knowing God has unlimited resources.

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

Befriend the listener. Do so with enthusiasm.

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

The annoying reality is that I find very little time to listen or visit other Christian radio stations. Props to my innovative friends at KDUV FM in neighboring Visalia/Fresno/Bakersfield! Our signals meet on a hillside half way between our markets! You can drive door to door in 2 hours and 15 minutes inland to their studio. *Unless Joe Croft is on his motorcycle…

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

Exploding—unless we don’t take advantage of the new technologies.