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Dave's
Career Capsule
KKSI – Ottumwa, IA. KRRO
– Sioux Falls, SD. WAOR – South Bend, IN. WVTK – Burlington, VT +
WZRT Rutland, VT. WSMR – Sarasota, FL.
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”?
Our business is a
form of ministry. The way I see it, how can we say we’re serving God
if we’re not creating the best radio possible? By creating the
best station possible, you know you’ll attract more listeners, and
the more people listening, the more people that are either first
learning about the Lord or having their faith strengthened on a
daily basis.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio different today, from 5 years
ago.
Good question. I’ve only been in Christian radio for two years now,
but when I’m hearing from different guys in the industry that have
been in Christian radio longer is just a shift in focus on less
“ministry” and more on product. Because by focusing more on product,
the number of people being ministered to is growing.
3. What do you think are the main characteristics of today’s
Christian radio PD.
I
don’t think you can say there are any main characteristics of
anyone, because we’re all so different. The one thing we have in
common, or at least I’d hope we all have this in common, is our
desire to create great radio for God and to help people come to know
about his love for us through his son Jesus.
4. What criteria do you require for a song to be played on your
station.
Is
it a good song? It’s that simple. A good song is a good song. I’ll
look at stuff nationally, I’ll ask other PD’s what songs are working
for them, because that can be an indicator of the potential of a
song. Ultimately though, your research will tell you what songs are
right for your audience and what songs aren’t.
5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian radio.
If
you’re referring to contests, I’ve seen a great response on contests
for “blessing someone else”, though any type of contest is going to
get a huge response if it can provide the listener with more time in
their life. You make their life easier and you’ll hear from them.
If
you’re referring to promoting your station, then community is where
it’s at. We’re here to serve our community, to build a bridge
between Christians and “non Christian” events. This year we became
the exclusive radio partner for the Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer walk, which set a record for dollars raised ($346,000) and
number of walkers (4000+). The American Cancer Society is not a
Christian organization, yet they has us there because of how we’d
served them in the past. We’re not there to preach, we’re there to
serve. Actions speak louder than words…
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio.
Actually, Christian labels are very good. I’ve had no issue getting
product, which is one thing I’m a huge proponent of. If you believe
in an artist you’re pushing, then provide the stations with product
to better help you support that artist.
Coming from eight years of secular programming, Moses could get
water from a rock, but I don’t think he could have gotten CDs from a
label.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today.
We
have a slightly bigger challenge facing us today than does regular
radio, though we’re both in the same boat. With our society and
media capabilities being driven more towards instant gratification,
and various access to that instant gratification, where does that
leave radio? My big concern for Christian radio, is being able to
deliver the ministry aspect. I think people need, and want, our
product more than secular radio, but I’m curious to see what the
future holds for “on demand” ministry.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio
air personality.
Have a purpose every time you open the mic! Too many people focus on
the “out” and not on the objective. The objective needs to be “what
do I hope to accomplish with this break”. Talking about a station
event, a “witty” observation you made or reading Scripture are not
good breaks.
Let your website promote your station events. Make sure your “witty”
observations are entertaining to more than just you. And if you’re
going to share from the Bible, have a purpose for it. Jesus spoke in
parables so people could understand him, are you doing the same?
Speak in a relevant way where people can truly understand what
you’re trying to teach. Again, it all comes back to purpose. What
are you hoping to accomplish?
At
GMA this year, Mike McVay said, and I totally agree with this, that
the air personality is the future of this industry. It’s what allows
us to remain different.
I
challenge my staff on every break to either entertain, encourage or
empower the listener every time they open the mic, Give the listener
something. If you’re capable of taking their attention away from
their computer, cell phone, iPod, tv, and anything else that
distracts them, then you better make sure you make it worth their
while
9. What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as
innovators today.
Sorry to sound jaded here, but I don’t even know if there is a truly
innovative radio station in America right now, and that’s including
commercial radio. Honestly, when is the last time a radio station
has made news for anything other than obscenity violations?
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years.
People are always going to gravitate
towards what entertains them the most. If we continue to focus on
creating the most entertaining and relevant product, then I see
Christian radio thriving in five years.
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