Chris' Career Capsule
I was a Radio/TV student at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse 1978-1980, and did a Christian rock show in my 2^nd year there on the campus station (“Central New York’s #1 PA system!”). That year I also started part time at a local AM Daytimer (WYRD). I went full time there as a jock the day after I graduated college (May 1980). I became the PD in 1983 and we were an AM/FM combo by then (WSIV/WOIV). We worked out of a double wide trailer in a swamp in East Syracuse. I promoted tons of Christian concerts out of that station and became a reporter to CCM MusicLine and eventually R&R. Myrrh Records came calling in the fall of 1987 and I took the job, moving my pregnant wife clear across the country – to work some of the greatest CCM records of all TIME in the three years I was there (Amy Grant’s “Lead Me On,” Russ Taff’s “The Way Home” and The Choir’s “Chase the Kangaroo” is the shortest list. I could go on). We moved to Nashville in 1990 when the radio promotion job at Warner Alliance opened up. I worked there from 1990 to 1998 (where we broke Michael English and Caedmon’s Call), and when Warner Bros. wound the label down I went independent. Other than a two year stint managing the Squint label band Waterdeep – I have done indie radio promotion since 1998. I am in my 27^th year of promotion. I have an amazing life. I make a great living, talking to my friends all day long, about music I love!

1. Tell us about what's new with you, your latest adventures etc?

I have been involved for nearly seven years with a local ministry called the Encounter Training. It’s a four day intensive retreat that I have been able to enroll over 50 friends in over the years. Many within our industry! Going through this in May 2008 positively impacted every important relationship in my life. I have been on many teams helping facilitate the experience for others too. It’s an honor to be involved, and it is unlike ANY seminar, revival service, or other retreat I’ve ever attended since becoming a believer in 1976. The website is www.encountertraining.com (and the next one is May 14-17).

Also, I have become involved with a prison ministry out of my church called “Timothy’s Gift” that has made over 100 trips into Florida prisons in the last five years. After repeated visits, wardens there say the ministry is nearly single-handedly changing the culture of their prisons. The message we bring is “You are loved and you have great worth.” The band is amazing, the singers (led by Avalon’s Melissa Greene) include American Idol’s Melinda Doolittle, 90’s Country star Ty Herndon, Avalon’s Michael Passons and others. You can learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5cQvCNYq-Y

2. Since you have such a busy schedule, how do you best manage your responsibilities and priorities?

Some days I wish I had an assistant. But I‘ve been able to make things work, year in and year out (self-employed since 1998). With my office in my home, it’s tough some days to “turn it off.”

3. Complete this sentence: The best way to get a new artist recognized is…

to be unique enough to stand apart from the rest of the pack – but still have the right kind of songs that can appeal to radio programmers (first) and then to the larger audience. I think of Jamie Grace a few years ago – and now Lauren Daigle. I think Lauren is a star.

4. Generally speaking how do you see the state of Christian radio?

Never have we had more listeners to this format than right now. It’s amazing how much smarter programmers have gotten in the last 15 years and grown their audiences too. (I know – I was a terrible programmer. It was best I got rescued out of that job!) I surely wish we had this audience size closer to 1999 when the most records were sold worldwide, all formats and genres (1.2 billion albums). By 2008 the industry was down to 330 millions albums sold (around a 70% decrease). And NOW we look back on 2008 as the “good old days.” Ugh. I’m depressed. Can we move on?

5. Regarding record sales how has it changed ....please explain?

The labels and managers have had to do a much more comprehensive job around breaking artists, adapting to an internet world of less record sales – and basically concentrating more on touring, and growing the connection between artist and fans, monetizing the social media opportunities. It’s a very tough equation. I am glad I don’t have to fix it all.

6. What promotions with radio have you been involved with personally that are most memorable?

Oh man. There have been experiences around breaking certain records that I will never forget, and am so humbled and honored to have played a small part. At times it was holding on for dear life (it moved so fast and was so all encompassing), and other times it was a slow build that eventually caught on and EVERY body KNEW it was a hit (Danny Gokey’s “More Than You Think I Am” last year fits in that category). But working four #1 songs from Amy Grant’s “Lead Me On” was special. Getting four #1’s for Caedmon’s Call’s debut, which ushered in a whole new period of important music from artists I am still proud to call good friends. Being involved with Aaron Shust’s debut in 2005 and 2006 with “My Savior My God” was such a thrill and honor. I’m not a gimmick guy. I don’t come up with funny contests that make programmers giggle and maybe reconsider a song. I get around music and artists that first move ME, then I bring them to radio and passionately make the case week in and week out for those songs. Somehow this is just STILL not old for me. I love it. And I love the friends on the other end of the phone call too – not to mention my label clients and the artists.

7. Do you feel the record/radio relationship is still as important as it has been in the past...........explain how it’s same/different?

Record companies have SO MUCH more information available to them in being able to do their jobs well – and the same goes for radio…compared to what life was like in the 80’s and 90’s. With more listeners than ever – the record/radio relationship is extremely important. Never more so! I am thankful and blessed to still be in the mix after all these years.