Gator's Career Capsule
First cracking the radio airwaves in 1988, Gator J. Gaynor found himself quickly hooked to the thrill of reaching into a community via the medium of radio. Since then, Gator has literally been involved in a variety of radio formats and radio station sizes all across the country. He's also garnered a wide amount of experience in both the music industry and community promotions and events. Never one to shy away from a handshake or a conversation, Gator has found his niche in beautiful Salem, Oregon at conservative talk 1430 KYKN where he recently was promoted to Program Director after only 7 months at the station. Gator's previous programming experience, his quick indoctrination into the area along with his warm people skills, made this upward progression a natural choice for the station's direction and future plans.

1. Tell us any recent changes (news) at KYKN...

The big change has been a bigger focus on local interaction and local programming. To this end, launching in January 2015 is our new LIVE Local weekday afternoon show from 4pm to 6pm, “Gator’s Radio Experience.”

2. What is the best programming advice you've been given? The worst? Best:

“It’s all about the listener and not about you.” – Worst: “It’s all about you and not about the listener.” True story; I had both of these given to me from different people over the years. The “worst” advice actually had a valid point, but since it contradicted the “best” advice and my own mentality, it has stuck in my mind over the years.

3. Regarding your career, what are you most proud of?

Honestly, that I’m still IN the industry. With the way local terrestrial radio is thinning out, it’s nice to have a foothold with one that is LOCAL and involved in the local community.

4. What is the ONE thing you must have to do your job every day?

Uhm, coffee.  J 

5. Where will future Christian radio air talent come from?

Radio in general, including Christian radio, appears to be moving toward a more mass produced product especially with the onset of online broadcasting and phone App streaming becoming a more dominant way that people are finding radio stations. As a result, local connection is becoming less important and future air talent will most likely come from literally anywhere on the globe that has an internet connection.

6. Do you feel syndication is good or bad for Christian radio?

Syndication has its place and has its benefit, for sure. I’m personally more of a local community involved radio guy, so I am not a super fan of syndication but again, syndication has some great purposes and I applaud them… I just prefer local. 

7. Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio?

If the Christian radio industry doesn’t jump on the online and phone app bandwagon for where radio is going, they will find themselves playing a very difficult game of catch-up.

8. Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?

Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap. Yes, I’m serious. They were my motivation for joining the radio world as character personalities who had fun.