My career
has centered in and around the
NYC metropolitan area. While in college, in 1979, I hooked
up with Bruce Morrow of WABC fame, and helped his company –
Sillerman Morrow Broadcast Group
– put two stations on the air in North Jersey and
Poughkeepsie, NY. In ’83 went to work for Greater Media at
their New Brunswick, NJ facility – WMGQ - to do afternoons.
Moved to mornings in ’87. Then
came to WAWZ in ’94 to do mornings and have been here since.
Took on PD responsibilities in 2000.
I also started Providence Media Group in 1996...
we produce daily short features
and specials and over the years we’ve provided production
assistance to Ron Hutchcraft,
Max McLean and others in Christian radio.
1.
How did you wind up at WAWZ?
Took a left turn
off Route 287? Seriously, I’d reached the “fullness of time”
at WMGQ. Growing up in a Christian home I was familiar with
WAWZ and as a broadcaster the station always intrigued me.
When God presented the opportunity to join the staff I took
it.
2. What is the most fulfilling aspect to you personally
about Christian radio?
The passion,
devotion and loyalty of our listeners… and the needs we meet
with our programming.
3. How has the new direction of WAWZ been received?
WAWZ has been
around for over 70 years – first as an AM then moving to FM
in the mid-50’s. The station has
listeners who have been with us for decades. Understandably,
some were upset over the move to more music but once they
understood our mission it didn’t matter so much. With the
new listeners – they’re thrilled. Right now our focus is
with the mainstream evangelical group – lots of word of
mouth in the churches – very soon we’ll start reaching
outside the church to bring Star 99.1 to the general market.
There certainly was an appetite for a contemporary Christian
music station in NY.
4. What events led to the re-birth of WAWZ?
It boiled down to
a stewardship issue. We had this huge signal (50,000 watts @
99.1) capable of reaching tens of millions of people in the
most influential and most densely populated area of the
nation and we weren’t living up to our responsibility. There
are three other Christian stations (Salem’s 2 AM’s and
Family Radio’s FM) in NYC and we were all basically serving
the same audience with our teaching/ talk/ music.
5. I really enjoy the imaging you have on the air...tell us
about who does it, writes it etc?
It’s all in the
details… and John Frost & Joe Battaglia have given us great
insight into the necessary details.
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
I’ve really come
to appreciate the reps for their passion for the music and
their desire to see the industry grow. Communication is
important.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing
Christian radio today?
I saw some great
numbers the other day showing an increase in the Christian
music radio audience, but most listeners still steer clear
of Christian radio because of wrong perceptions. People
believe they can’t listen to Christian radio unless they’re
“good enough” or won’t listen because they believe we’re
irrelevant. We need to set our sights high and exceed the
expectations of radio listeners…cultivating compelling
communicators, examining every detail of our presentation
and artfully presenting the music (if music is what you’re
called to do) or the teaching.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian
radio air personality today?
Use every tool at
their disposal to grow their audience. And then build the
connection with their listeners
9. What (if any) other Christian radio stations do you
consider as innovators today?
There are so many
great stations and networks doing great things. I would urge
every Christian station to consider
itself an innovator – constantly analyzing their
markets and their operations, contributing to the industry,
making the necessary changes and doing things better today
than they did yesterday.
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
Hopefully not
content, but still hungry to grow and serve.
