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Scott's Career
Capsule
I got started
when I was a sophomore in High School at 15, at KKOJ, a small
country station in the middle of a cornfield in MN (literally).
I moved between my sophomore and junior year to Rapid City, SD and
worked all the way through HS at Hit 100 FM, the number 1 station in
town. That is where I really fell in love with radio and
decided that I would rather do radio than be a doctor, which I was
planning for throughout school.
For
a season, I realized I could make a whole lot more money in sales
and business, so I left radio, but radio proved to be like the
tractor beam on the Death Star in Star Wars, it sucked me back in.
My first Christian radio gig was at WAPN in Daytona Beach, FL and
then onto Z88.3(WPOZ) in Orlando, where I spent 12 years doing
mornings, before moving to KLOVE.
1. How is doing afternoons with a co-host different than what you
did before?
I don’t notice that
there is much of a difference, I really enjoy working with Kelli,
prior to doing afternoons, we did the morning show on the Air 1
network, so it is an easy transition. The truth is I love
doing radio, I don’t feel there is any difference in my approach,
other than some natural nuances that are unique to afternoons.
I think that no matter what shift you’re doing, you should be
bringing it every break, and connecting with your audience.
2. How has your show evolved or changed over the last few years?
I really appreciate
the great coaching and insight that I have learned from mentors and
friends like David Pierce, Mike Novak, Tommy Kramer, Randy Lane,
Alan Mason and John Frost. I have learned how to connect with
our audience like never before. They have each taught me how
to use the tools in my tool built, and for that I will be forever
grateful. Their inspiration and encouragement have been a huge
blessing to me. The biggest evolution is having the courage to
be real and authentic, every single break!
3. What show topics seem to be hot right now?
The show differs
from day to day, just like life, it’s really hard to say there is a
formula for what topics work or don’t work. If you don’t feel
whatever it is you’re going to say is going to connect somehow, that
“Shut Up and Play a Song.”
4. What is the advantage of being on a national network?
I love that we are
a network, there is something special about being able to connect
believers across the country through great music. We here from
so many listeners who are thrilled with the idea that listening to
KLOVE is what connects them with family and friends all over the
country.
5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian personalities?
We really try to
focus our promotional efforts on a variety of ideas, ranging from
the fun to the heartfelt. The one thing that we want to be an
element in every contest is making sure that it provides our winners
with a unique experience that they can’t get anywhere else.
6. Do you use any show prep services?
Not really, I think
that there are some good prep services out there, like Positive prep
and Sheprep, but Kelli and I prep on our own, and then meet before
the show to map out what we have and build a roadmap for the show.
One benefit that we have is having our own news department, they do
a great job of posting things on KLOVE.com, so it makes it easier
for listeners to find things that we talk about in the show.
7. What are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio today?
I am a glass half
full kind of guy, so I don’t see many obstacles, but I do think that
all radio is faced with the performance rights mess, however that
isn’t something unique to Christian radio. I believe that we
also haven’t done the best job of developing new on-air talent,
which I hope that we aim to improve upon as an industry.
8. Do you think there will be more or less syndication in the future
of Christian radio?
Due to the tough
economic times, I do believe that you may see more syndicated, or
network radio. Working at a network, I don’t think that is a bad
thing, in fact, we are always looking at ways to improve what we do
on a local level. Having worked in local Christian radio, and
first hand seen the impact of having a great local station, I think
that is a great model, when it’s supported.
9. What (if any) Christian radio personalities do you consider as
innovators today?
I think that there
a some really talented people working in our industry, a few on my
short list would include my co-workers Kelli Caldwell and Lisa
Williams, Brant Hanson, Sarah Taylor and Jayar (I think that’s how
you spell it…why he can’t just be normal), they all do a great job
and think outside of the box. I appreciate that!
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
I think that the
sky is the limit! I believe that there are so many people in
need of hope, and find it listening to Christian radio. I
would like to see Christian radio work on improving our serve to our
listeners. One of the things that I am most proud of here at
KLOVE and Air 1, is the ministry that extends beyond what happens on
the air. Having a team of staff pastors and a prayer ministry team
allows us to help people beyond an encouraging word or a great song.
I know that not every station will have the band width to do that on
their own, but I think that it would be great to look for ways that
you can partner with other churches, or para-church ministries to
extend your serve beyond just being a radio station
10.
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