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Corry's
Career Capsule
I went to
broadcasting school in Hollywood, California (born and raised LA
girl) with the intention of doing nothing but voice-overs. I really
wanted to be a disc jockey, but the thought of being live scared me.
After many moves as a military wife and mother of two, I found
myself wanting more of that radio fix, so I got my first radio job
board op’ing a “lite” format in Hilton Head, South Carolina, which
is a strange place to start because it’s a huge resort and golf
town. Fortunately the signal was small enough that not even my
family could laugh at my once an hour live weather forecast-which I
always messed up. From there I went on to WOCW/Oldies-Beaufort, SC.
Marine Corps Marketing in Okinawa, Japan making radio commercials
for the Marine’s and doing a classic rock show on military radio.
Back to the states and WYCL/Oldies-Pensacola, Florida. KQSN/Hot
AC-Yakima, Washington. KBSG/Oldies-Seattle. KXLY/AC-Spokane, WA.
KFIS/CC-Portland, Oregon, back to KBSG in Seattle
Then
100.7 The Wolf in Seattle
and now at KAIM/CC-Honolulu, Hawaii. I have done everything from
overnights to PD and pretty much every job one can have in radio,
except promotions and sales. Good thing, those are probably radio’s
two hardest jobs. My favorite job in radio has always been
morning’s, except the getting up early part. I’ve been fortunate to
achieve some VO success and love to write and produce spots and
features.
1.
Personally how do you
keep the ministry in the “business”?
The music is the
ministry because the music does the ministering. I also believe that
a positive, encouraging presentation on-air speaks volumes to the
lost, hurting and saints in need of blessing that opens doors beyond
what we can imagine.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio different today, from 5 years
ago?
The
music has only gotten better, not to mention deeper. When I was at
the Fish in Portland, just about five years ago, there seemed to be
more of a pop and worship feel to what we were playing. One of my
favorites is Sunshine and Joy by
Lisa Bevill. That is one feel good song and though it speaks to
God’s blessings, the music now is more reflective and relevant to
our times. Does Anybody Hear Her with Casting Crowns comes to mind.
Imaging has taken a great leap forward and the jocks seem fine tuned
making for enjoyable listening.
4. What criteria do you
require for a song to be played on your station?
Research! However, in Hawaii our music tests differ somewhat from
the mainland and I’m still learning the “Hawaii sound” as I’ve heard
it put. Our MD Kim Harper is really good at identifying the “Hawaii
sound.” We’re always on the lookout for local worship and
contemporary music that fits the station and we watch what’s
happening nationwide as well. But we love the ukuleles!
5. What kind of
promotions work best for Christian radio?
Family
friendly, targets women, simple, consistent, fun and borrowed! Ha,
that is partly true, but if you keep in mind that one of our (we
busy moms) biggest issues is time and you center promotions around
that, you’re sure to invoke those emotions that really speak to our
core audience.
6. How do you think
Christian Record labels can better serve Christian radio?
Be open
to the possibilities. Labels that look to developing new artists and
subsequent marketing, keeps us all in the game.
7. In your opinion what
are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio today?
Truly, I
can say it’s the spiritual battles that ensue within Christian
radio. It’s a shame that at times it seems more prevalent than in
secular radio. Personnel problems can implode and the station will
eat itself from within if we are not careful. This is not a popular
thing to say, but prayer, a humbling before our Maker and
remembering what we’re there for should overcome those unnecessary,
but forgivable, squabbles.
8. What do you believe
is the primary role of the Christian radio air personality?
Compliment the music, period! This does not relegate talent to the
role of liner jock, just the opposite. We already know the music is
phenomenal, it’s now our job to convey that everything about “this
station” is also phenomenal. When we’re in the air chair we are
never having a bad day because the listeners are counting on us. I
would also say relate without preaching.
9. What (if any)
Christian radio stations do you consider as innovators today?
KCMS,
Spirit 105.3 in Seattle and KLTY in Dallas for their consistency. If
innovation is “what is old is new again,” they definitely have the
winning formula.
10. Where do you see
Christian radio in 5 years?
I was
away for five years and came back to a new kind of Christian radio.
I believe we’ll see a reckoning between the blatantly faithful and
the “let the music do the preaching” idea of programming. A nice
meeting of the minds on this would be wonderful as I believe they
both have a place. And the PPM’s will begin to tell their story.
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