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Fred's
Career Capsule
1972
Graduate of Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis. Secular
radio from 1972-1976. Christian Radio from 1976 to present, the last
17 years as manager of WFEN in Rockford, Illinois.
Voice over work
at VoiceOvertures.com
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”?
There
are many duties for a station manager but I still do an air shift
from 6 to 8:30 in the morning. It’s a mixture of music, news,
weather and sports and I inject a little humor as well. Sharing my
faith is always interwoven in the fabric of the programming.
Ministry vignettes are a part of our breaks as well as a scripture
verse at the top of each hour. If we inform and entertain without
ministry, then we are no different than secular radio. I believe
you can be relevant and still let your “little light shine”.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio different today, from 5 years
ago?
The
technical advances keep happening, making programming easier than
ever. Downloading with the computer makes life easier with programs
and music.
I
think that more Christian stations are going to the music- only
format, dropping long form teaching and preaching programs.
3. What do you think are the main characteristics of a Christian
radio GM?
It
depends on the market and the monetary needs of the station. If
it’s a commercial station competing for the dollar, the GM is
concerned with having a
good
sales staff and at the same time seeing to it that his music and
programming is as good and professional as it can be. He should be
aware of market demographics and be in touch with the community he
serves. The GM should be the cheerleader of his staff and also a
spiritual leader.
4. What ways or methods do you think work best to keep your staff
motivated?
Cut
them some slack and let them use their God given abilities. They
will feel their value when the work they do is valued and
appreciated.
5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian radio?
That
again depends on the market, your budget and whether you are
commercial or non-com. I think that association with Christian
concerts and other
public events is good and being involved in charitable endeavors is
good as well. But if you’re doing it only to be seen in a good
light, then there is a motive problem.
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
I
have had problems over the years getting all the radio service I
need from record labels, partly because of the turnover in music
providers. Since the
advent of I Tunes an Play MPE, music downloads have been a breeze
and you can get all the artist information you need on the internet.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today?
Christian radio faces the same problem as all radio, other forms of
media. The younger generation is not as likely to listen to the
radio as much as their
their
parents did. For Christian stations that carry talk programming,
the specter of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” is daunting. There
are some high powered liberals who would like to muzzle the moral
and conservative leanings of Christian radio. Of course raising the
funds needed to operate is always a challenge.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio
air personality?
I
think the challenge is to walk with God, so that what you do on the
air is not only professional and relevant, but also powerful for the
advancement
God’s kingdom.
9. What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as
innovators today?
I
think there are a lot of great stations out there, but innovation is
a bold word that indicates change, “going where no man has gone
before”. I’m not sure
I
know of any.
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
I
think Christian radio is a “calling” for many. I think we will
still be playing music and broadcasting programs and using the
latest technologies. We will
still
be agents of change, because Christ is an agent of change and the
message that we broadcast is full of His life!
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