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

We serve 4 different markets – our home base is Montgomery, which is a classic Southern city that has some wonderful progressive elements. As the state capital, there are numerous legislative efforts that we find here, which are incorporated into our programming. We serve a large portion of Alabama, as well as a good part of the Florida Panhandle from our Dothan and Andalusia, AL stations, plus we have a translator in Eufaula. The Christian community in this region is strong and active, and we intentionally seek to build strong relationships with the churches in our listening areas. We have a sizable military presence in our region, with Maxwell Air Force Base, which attracts so many officers in the Air Force, and with Fort Rucker, which is a strategic post in Army aviation, and we want to orient military personnel that they can take Faith Radio with them all over the world through our Internet stream.

 

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

There is nothing that compares to the unique ability that I have as a Christian broadcaster to serve Him. I am thrilled that lives are influenced for Christ as a result of our efforts, and that Christian radio can actually be a part of the fabric of someone’s life.

 

3. Here is your chance to testify on behalf of your station...How has God used Faith Radio?

God has used Faith Radio not only to inspire and challenge listeners through the teaching programming that we air, but also to create an atmosphere for worship for our listeners with our music. We consistently hear testimonies of how a word spoken or a song played has impacted someone’s life. We are seeing the Christian community around our area galvenized as a result of our effort to build unity among believers.

 

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

Well, first of all, I have to like it...NO, not really. Our emphasis is on Praise and Worship. Songs played on Faith Radio need to be not only musically superior and stylistically compatible with an Inspo or A/C type of sound, but the majority of our songs are selected on whether or not they contribute to helping lead a person into worship. We place a priority on songs that are either directly vertical, or that have a strong emphasis on the attributes of God or the presence of God. We attempt to create a certain “sound”, a distinctive atmosphere of worship with our music.

 

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

We are very oriented toward personal appearances. We have a Ministry Relations Director who speaks on the average of several times a month in area churches. We are visible at area concerts and special events, and are committed to creating an overall awareness for our stations. On-location broadcasts give us that unique opportunity to connect with listeners personally, as well.

 

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

I think database management is a key – I know that labels service literally thousands of stations, but it seems that I have had to call one too many label people in order to get service renewed. I report to the Worship chart of CMW, and thats the only publication to which I report, so I may not be receiving the level of service that others may receive, however, I feel that my listening audience is significant.

 

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

We are facing so many issues as an industry, and I think we’re making a gallant effort to address them. Increased competition makes us sharper, hopefully, as far as our on-air sound and our dedication to ministry. Of course, revenue plays a part in our operations, and as a listener-supported, non-commercial station, we must continue to build relationships with those who listen to us.

I think complacency can creep in if we’re not careful, and as a result, we cease to constantly ask the questions that will enable us to be better at what we do. We must never cease to be creative and consistently seek the Lord for new ideas for ministry.

 

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

My take is that a Christian radio air personality has to relate to his or her audience. We should not only intro and backsell songs, but we should also see ourselves as worship leaders to some extent, and make a heart connection with those who listen, not in a preachy sort of way, but with a “real” approach. Our comments should be well-crafted to coincide with the lifestyles of our listeners – knowing our audience!

 

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

There does seem to be a great deal of innovation in Christian radio today. We have an excellent relationship in the Montgomery market with the WAY-FM Music Group, and they are continuing to grow. The His Radio people are doing a great job. Our first-hand work with the Moody Network has shown me their adaptability over the years.

 

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

I really think that Christian radio is on a course for steady growth – in number of frequencies, as well as size of audience. We have great materials with which to work – with strong music products, excellent talk programming, and access to the resources to make our stations sound really, really good, we can acquire listeners from a variety of formats – in other words, we can compete well. There are plenty of creative ideas in Christian broadcasting, because we serve the God of creativity – if we stay sharp and fresh, then the possibilities are limitless.