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Andy's
Career Capsule
B.S.
Mass Communication from Trevecca Nazarene College, 1986
Worked at WNAZ-FM 89.1 in Nashville (owned & operated by Trevecca)
during my 4 years of college
Worked for brief periods at WMOC-AM in Chattanooga as a morning
announcer and at Dove Ministries (Chattanooga) in concert promotion
For the last 17+ years, I have worked full-time at WMBW-FM 88.9 in
Chattanooga (Moody O & O). For the last 5 years, I have served as
Program Director and morning drive host.
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”?
I think it starts by
focusing on the station as a ministry rather than a job or
business. It might be easier for us in that we are non-commercial.
Still, it helps to start the day on my knees. Each morning before
my shift, I ask God to use me, guide me, and empower me by His
Spirit. How can we stay ministry-focused if we are not
God-focused? We must keep The Lord at the center of
everything--even the "business" tasks.
2. Overall, how is
Christian radio different today, from 5 years ago?
Christian radio is not
only different, radio in general has changed quite a bit over the
last few years. With the technology of computer automation, and
with the growth of networks and media giants, stations have been
consolidated and staff positions have been eliminated. It has
forced all of us to wear multiple hats.
3. What do you
think are the main characteristics of today s Christian radio PD?
I see the role and responsibilities of today's PD varying greatly
from one station to another. A few years back, when the average
staff size was larger, many Program Director's weren't on the air
every day. These days, I would say that most PDs have an air
shift. In the past, a PD might have served as a "supervisor" of the
announcers. Today, for stations that only have a couple of
announcers (sometimes including the PD), it's probably best not to
"manage" a subordinate but rather to come along side of him/her as a
teammate. Throw the ego away; you're just a member of the team.
Today's PD might handle everything from music selection to spot
production to promotions to voice-tracking for automation. We need
to be willing to do anything and everything to keep the station on
the air and broadcasting at a high level of excellence.
4. What criteria
do you require for a song to be played on your station?
Decisions concerning our
music library are made on a network level in the National Program
Director's office--Thankfully! (It's tough to win with music, isn't
it?)
5.
What kind of promotions work best for Christian radio?
As with most stations,
we give away a lot of books and cds, but the promotions that I like
best are the ones that encourage time together for couples or
families. We've given away marriage conference tickets, bed and
breakfast getaways, and even vacations for families to destinations
within driving distance.
6.
How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve Christian
radio?
Since our National PD
handles most of the music decisions, I have very limited contact
with the labels.
7.
In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today?
I would say that most of
today's broadcasters in Christian radio are reasonably well-trained
in broadcasting, but many of them are not well-trained or studied in
The Bible. I'm not advocating that all Christian radio announcers
should be preachers or even sound like preachers, but since God has
placed us in the field of communication, I think that we need to
have a good grasp of scripture so that we can share a biblical
thought as comfortably, concisely, and accurately as we do when we
tell our listeners about the weather or an upcoming concert. I like
what D.L. Moody had to say about ministry work:
"I believe the reason why God makes use of so few in the Church, is
because there is not in them the power that God can use. He is not
going to use our ideas, but we must have the Word of God hid in our
hearts, and then, the Holy Spirit inflaming us, we will have the
testimony which will be rich, and sweet, and fresh, and the Lord's
Word will vindicate itself in blessed results. God wants to use us;
God wants to make us channels of blessing; but we are in such a
condition He does not use us." (from D.L. MOODY ON SPIRITUAL
LEADERSHIP by Steve Miller)
8.
What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio air
personality?
I believe my main role
in Christian radio is to be a real, transparent, broken yet
repaired, weak but made strong person who is willing to come along
side the listener, one-on-one, and be a conduit for God to use in
that individual's life.
9.
What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as innovators
today?
Honestly, I haven't
listened to that many stations outside of our market.
10.
Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
Because of satellite
radio, Internet streaming, and iPods (and whatever else is around
the next corner), I see the need for radio stations to stay very
connected to their markets. We will need to focus on local
programming, local promotions, and local personalities. Isn't that
where radio started?
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