My start in radio began as a homeless teenager, addicted to
drugs and alcohol. A youth pastor who reached out to me
during this time introduced me to WCIE in Lakeland, Fl. One
night while leaving a bar WCIE was on the radio. I had given
up on life. Dave Stewart reached out over the radio. It
was as if he was speaking to me. "God loves you" he said "He
will never leave you nor forsake you." He prayed the
sinner's prayer and at that moment I rededicated my life to
Christ. Then I prayed another prayer. "God, I want to do
what that guy on the radio is doing." I never believed that
prayer
would be answered. However, it was. One year later I became
a volunteer DJ at WLPJ in North Tampa. God was using me to
help others the same way WCIE helped me. Easter Sunday 1988
I began a part time shift at WJIS in Sarasota, Florida. It
was here that I learned how to do radio. By January 1989 I
became the full time overnight announcer. In the years to
come I became well versed in radio. The job duties performed
were Traffic Manager, Production Director, Program Director,
Station Manager and now Director of Network Programming for
His Radio in the Carolina's and
Georgia.
1. How did God put you in His service at His Radio Network?
His Radio is a part of the Radio Training Network
family. I managed a Satellite office for The Joy FM in
North Tampa, Florida. I transferred when an opportunity
became available to program our sister network in the
Carolina's and Georgia.
2. What is the most fulfilling aspect to you
personally about Christian radio?Knowing that
God is using this team at His Radio to make a difference
in lives. There is nothing more fulfilling than to reach
into hearts with the Gospel.
3. How has God used you in your role at His Radio?
I'm just a tiny piece of the puzzle. We have great
leadership and staff. Allen Henderson and Ken Mayfield
keep the vision and mission of the station a priority.
I've had the opportunity to help bring a focus to our
formatics. Properly imaging the station, music,
promotions, and coaching the talent.
Plus, keep in constant contact with our stations in the
network.
4. What is the criteria that determines if a song receives
airplay on His Radio?
1. It's got to be a great song!
2. Has to target our demo.
3. Artists lifestyle should Glorify God
4. Fit the AC Format
5. Have recurrent potential
6. Signed with a label
Today the level of vocal and production quality is
excellent. We require this of the songs played on His
Radio.
5. What kind of promotions work best for your
station?
Two kinds really. First, it has to benefit our target
demo. I'm talking about promotions focused on benefiting
her family and her relationships. Like our current
Valentines contest. We're sending a couple to New York
City for an exclusive, private concert with Steven Curtis
Chapman. Second, promotions that gives our target listener
an opportunity to help someone in need. During the
Thanksgiving holiday our His Radio listeners donated over
400 turkeys and 200 hygiene kits for the His Radio Great
Thanksgiving Feast. We partnered with a local rescue
mission to help feed
over 1,100 people in need.
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can
better serve Christian radio?
In all fairness we could do a better job in helping
each other. The labels have done a better job in helping
radio. Not just in servicing singles. But with creative
and fun promotions that will benefit the listener while
still accomplishing their goal of promoting their artists.
I would love to see more personal artist bios. More than
what the album is about. We need more information about
the artists' life. Our listeners want to get to know who
they hear every day. I'm not talking tabloid trash. (We've
all
heard too much about Lopez and Affleck.)
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles
facing Christian radio today?1. Marketing. We
need to do a better job telling the communities we serve
who we are. Our non-com budgets seem to dictate the impact
we make in outside marketing.
2. Talent. Let's face it, the talent pool is shrinking.
It's become harder to find great air talent.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the
Christian radio air personality today?
Be compelling. Connect with your listener. Know who she
is and what her needs are. Communicate like a real person.
Be entertaining. Don't be afraid to have fun.
9. What (if any) other Christian radio
stations do you consider as innovators today?
Several - J93.3, The Joy FM-WJIS, KSBJ, K-Love, and Z88.3
in Orlando.
10. Where do you see Christian radio
in 5 years?The question I have is - Where
should Christian Radio be in 5 years? We have our work cut
out for us. Influences from outside sources continue to
separate us from our listener. The Internet, MP3, and
morning news television are taking more of their time.
Have you noticed more people are watching Fox and Friends
and Matt and Katie than listening to radio period? Their
kids are influenced by more immoral junk than we have ever
had growing up. I see a need for Christian radio to
connect. Become valuable and indispensable.
