I started in radio
when I was a sophomore in high school at our campus radio
station. My first role was music director, and by my senior year
I was the Program Director and responsible for training all
incoming freshmen. At the same time, I was working promotions
in Sacramento for Cool 101, gaining real life experience in the
radio business and sharing my experience with those at my high
school. I left Cool 101 to become the new morning show producer
and promotions assistant at Arrow 108 where I spent two years,
and then started my own advertising agency, which I sold about a
year ago. Undecided on what to do next, I decided to get back
into radio, so I became a board-op for KLOVE, then moved back
into promotions for Clear Channel Sacramento and started
developing Radio Eternal on the side, and now, here it is.
1. What led to your idea of
a new Christian internet station ?
Honestly, I don't remember
exactly how I got to where we are. All I remember is that
three of us were talking about Christian music one day and
brought up the discussion of needing a Christian rock
station. We started talking and though we would start a
Christian radio station online. Why not? I had the radio
experience, another person had the engineering experience, and
the other had sales experience. After a couple of weeks, the
others seemed to have lost interest, but I found the concept
interesting so I pursued it independently, researching other
Christian rock and CHR stations, trying to carve out a niche.
I spent about six months just listening to other online
stations, finding out what they did well, what I would do
differently, trying to create something that would make us
stand out. My main goal in developing Radio Eternal was
trying to find a way to minister to the unchurched, while
strengthening the believers relationship with Christ.
2. Were there any problems that arose unexpectantly?
Of Course! We're still
experiencing those "unexpected" problems! We've experienced a
number of delays with our hardware and software. Working on a
budget of virtually zero, we had to be very resourceful
in creating our studios, equipment, computer networks, etc.
3. What are some of the
features you plan to offer at radio eternal?
We are in the process of
creating several unique programs that will meet the mission of
Radio Eternal. Some of these programs include a weekly
countdown show, a special Indi showcase, and a special program
that I am developing called "Forty". Forty will be a
very unique program, so unique, I haven't been able to find
any other Christian station, either current or past, that has
done it.
4. How will Radio Eternal be different from other
Christian stations?
My main goal of Radio Eternal is
to Inspire, Encourage, and Challenge today's youth and young
adults. Although Radio Eternal was founded on a Christian
foundation, it could be considered a "stretch" to call Radio
Eternal a "Christian" station. That is, if you consider
Christian stations those that only play Christian artists on
Christian labels. We play music that is inspiring,
encouraging, or challenging, whether it be on a Christian or
secular label. If the message is promoting this behavior, you
could hear it on Radio Eternal. Take for example Jimmy Eat
World's new song "In The Middle". The lyrics and video show
and talk about a student who is uncomfortable in his
surroundings, perhaps feeling a little discouraged, or out of
place. He's probably not fitting in at school and doesn't
have any friends. The lyrics "Hey, don't write yourself off
yet. It's only in your head that you feel left out or looked
down on. Just try your best. Try everything you can. And
don't worry about what the bitter hearts are going to
say"..."Everything will be just fine everything will be
allright, allright." This secular song delivers an inspiring,
positive, and encouraging message to stand up for what you
believe in, and don't give into peer pressure. Although it
may not point directly to salvation through Christ alone, it
can still change lives. Imagine what could happen to a
non-believer if they hear this song followed up by something
from Audio A or Newsboys.
5. How did your passion for Christian radio develop?
The music rocks! I always had
this "stereotype" in my head of what Christian music was; It
was those songs you sing in church, with the "thou's" and
"hath's" But the Christian Music Industry has exploded, and
it's nothing like that anymore! I believe that Salem's "Fish"
stations launched nationwide have helped the growth of the
Contemporary Christian music , which allows for growth in
other Christian formats such as Christian Rock. I'm excited
to be part of the continued growth of the industry, while
introducing others to the Christian Rock format.
6. Who are you planning to
reach with Radio Eternal?
My goal is to reach the
unchurched while ministering to the believers. They are high
school students, college students, and recent college grads.
Maybe their away for their first semester of college and
struggling with their faith in their new environment, or
perhaps they just graduated from college and can't find a job,
or maybe they are high school drop outs wanting to change
their life. Either way, I want to reach the lost, the
struggling, the hurt.
7. Will your station have
live jocks? Will you have commercials?
We will have live programs, but
mostly voice tracked to start. Radio Eternal is COMMERCIAL
FREE, and we will NOT be listener supported, meaning we will
not have to stop down the music to beg listeners for money. I
have developed a unique revenue generating program that we
will be implementing soon which will create win-win-win
situations for both the client, station, and listener. The
revenue through this program will help fund the growth and
expansion of the station.
8. How has the CARP ruling
affected Radio Eternal?
So far, the ruling hasn't
affected Radio Eternal. Since we are new to the Internet,
we haven't been broadcasting, so we have no back royalty fees
to have to come up with or worry about. We'll see what
happens in the future... whenever we get a final, final,
final ruling.
