1. Tell us about your market and how it is unique?

JoyFM is nestled in the St. John River valley in Fredericton, the Capital of New Brunswick.  We are home to two universities - The University of New Brusnwick, and St. Thomas University (GO TOMMIES!).  We are a 50W station that has a potential reach of approximately 110,000 people. 

 

2. What is the most fulfilling aspect to you personally about Christian radio?

The most fulfilling aspect of Christian Radio is definitely it's ability to reach the community with the Gospel.  Recent statistics tell us that approximately 1/3 of Christian Radio listeners are non-churched/non-Christian.  These people simply listen because they like the music and/or appreciate the Family Friendly programming.  What an awesome opportunity the Lord has given everyone involved in Christian Radio.  I mean, just think about it for a minute.  In a market of 100,000 and 5% market share means that you are sharing the Gospel with as many as 1700 un-saved people at any given moment!  How much more fulfilling can a job be than that!

 

3. Here is your chance to testify on behalf of your station...How has God used Joy FM?

God continues to use JoyFM and it's staff every day in exciting ways.  In the church community we are quickly becoming a hub of information and co-operation amongst the churches in our area.  It's really a neat experience to have a Baptist Church call and say "We want to do an event and host it at the Pentecostal Church and have them involved, can you help?"

 

Another way God continues to work through us in the community is in reaching people for Christ.  During our recent Share-A-Thon, we received a donation and a letter that really touched us.  The writer told us of a low point in their life and how they had been contemplating suicide.  They had been listening to JoyFM a little but on one particular day they decided it was time to end their life.  They had a small transistor radio with them but no reception.  The climbed over the railing of one of our bridges and were about to jump when JoyFM came blasting loud and clear!  The letter went on to say that JoyFM and Kendra Chandler - the announcer on at the time - saved their life!  They thank God for JoyFM!  Praise the Lord!  This is just one example of how God has used JoyFM to touch lives.  We continue to get a lot of feedback from the community about our programming and have been told a number of stories about people making first time decisions for Christ!

 

4. What is the criteria that determines if a song receives airplay on your station?

That's a complex question.  My formula (in general) is this.  First I listen to a short piece of the song 20-30 sec at the start and then the chorus.  If you've got my attention musically, I give a harder listen for production value and then go to the lyrics.  If the song is strong musically and lyrically, it gets played.  We set a pretty high bar here at JoyFM musically, lyrically and in production quality.  We do however tend to bend some 'rules' when it comes to Canadian Content and Local artists.

 

5. What kind of promotions work best for your station?

We have a lot of fun with on-air contesting - everything from regular contests like The Prize Pyramid to short term contest for special events and concerts.  We have also been very successful with our Summer Block parties and concert events.

 

6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve Christian radio?

I think we need better contact with the record labels.  More artist interviews, more single releases (instead of having me decide to play a couple of cuts when an album is released), more concert tours etc.  I also think labels need to do more artist marketing and promotion both through Christian Media and Secular media.  Christian Music continues to grow in Canada and I think together we can continue to see that growth and reach even more people with the Gospel message!

 

7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio today?

I think there are two main obstacles facing Christian Music (i