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Bill's
Career Capsule
Mom said that when we traveled on family trips in the car when I was
young around the Philadelphia area, the whole way there, I would
broadcast 'My' version of the Daytona 500 from the back
seat. Mom was not surprised when I pursued a career later on in
radio. Always a 'DJ' growing up at weddings, parties, and
nightclubs, but never an 'Announcer' until I attended the venerable
Minneapolis legend (celebrating their 60th anniversary this year!),
the Brown Institute in 1989. First real radio 'gig' at KANO 1470 in
Anoka, Minnesota, followed by stops at Country 95 in Detroit Lakes,
Minnesota, KEMB in Spencer, Iowa, and then on to 4 years in the US
Army from 1992-96 serving in Public Affairs (radio, television, and
newspaper work), at Ft Knox Kentucky. Also spent time in Kentucky at
WULF Country in Radcliff, at WQXE Hit Radio in Elizabethtown, and
some other country station in Hardinsburg that escapes me (?).
Relocated back to Pennsylvania in 1996, and began at Contemporary
Christian Radio WGRC in Lewisburg part time, and moved to full time
shortly thereafter. In 2004, felt God's leading to head west to
Kansas, and joined the team at Great Plains Christian Radio KJIL/KHYM
in Meade. I am the afternoon guy and production dude, and I also
produce and host the internationally distributed New Release Tuesday
radio programs each week for
www.newreleasetuesday.com
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”?
It's not about 'ME'. It's about 'YOU' ,
and your relationship with 'HIM'. To help me keep things in
perspective, God has given opportunities for me to lead several
short term mission teams to various parts of the world. Just
recently, I returned from 2 weeks in Eastern Nicaragua ministering
and rebuilding Radio VECA, a Christian station affiliated with HCJB
World Missionary Fellowship Radio. When you see what God is doing
through stations like these around the world, you realize very
quickly that His business is totally and completely about His
ministry, not ours, and whatever we contribute, from writing a spot
to playing a certain song at just the right time, He will break it,
and feed a multitude with it.
2. Overall, how is
Christian radio different today, from 5 years ago?
As recently as 5 years ago, your town
may not have had 'Any' Christian radio. Today, our kids, and their
kids, can grow up in a culture that offers them whatever they desire
musically, in 'Any' Christian format, at any time. Whether it's
online, or in their town, today's Christian radio dial offers more
choices and styles than ever, and I can only imagine what the future
holds, as these generations are positively influenced by listening
to a message in the music that builds them up for their entire life.
3. What do you think
are the main characteristics of today’s Christian radio PD?
I think today's successful Christian PD
is the one who realizes that God is in control, despite all of our
best efforts. People will let us down, always. God will not.
4. What criteria do you require for a song to be played on your
station?
We examine whether it is going to
minister to our entire listening audience. We are located in the
Heartland of America, and serve 4 different states with our signal.
We can't just focus on 'Becky'. She has a husband, kids, in-laws,
brothers & sisters, and friends too. We look at the songs both
lyrically and musically to see that they fit what is already
successful for us, and also examine the lives of the artists to see
that their 'walk' with God is where it should be too.
5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian radio?
The promotions that work best for us are
the ideas I have stolen from Melody Miller at KLRC in Siloam
Springs! Really, the ones that create an emotional response from our
listener family are our most successful.
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
I think they're all doing a great job. I
have to give a shout out to the folks at Provident for being my best
label and distribution friends though.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today?
We are our own biggest enemy, because we
are human. We think we have all the answers, when in reality, God is
in control. I also believe that technology is taking radio to places
we never thought it would go. Are we ready for that?
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio
air personality?
One of my pet peeves as a listener is
when I turn on the radio, and the announcer comes on and says "Hey
everybody, How's it goin!" Tell me this, is 'Everybody' a person?
No, 'You' are a person. Making radio a one to one conversation is a
huge part of successful radio. I am also concerned about our talent
pool. Are we developing the future radio hosts of tomorrow to the
best of our abilities?
9.
What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as innovators
today?
Z88.3 in Orlando, Way FM in Kalamazoo,
KSBJ in Houston.
10.
Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
Listening to your local station through
your Ipod or cellphone while your on vacation 2000 miles away. It
will happen.
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