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Radio Interview

                                     

David Shult

Operations Manager

KFIS

Portland

 

 

Davids' Career Capsule
I first got the radio bug when my cub scout den visited KUIK in Hillsboro, Oregon (my home town).  From that point on there was nothing else that I wanted to do.  I started hanging out there when I was 15, doing any and everything they would let me do.  I finished high school and enrolled in the Speech Communications program at Oregon State University.  After a couple months I was working part time at KFLY in Corvallis.  Since then I’ve done everything that can be done in a radio station from manager to engineer, even sales.  I’ve had a hand in building 4 stations, installing a couple transmitters, programming and music directing.  About 7 years or so ago, the meaninglessness of the secular broadcasting world really hit me, and I felt I was being called to offer my experience and skills to Christian broadcasting.  I wasn’t too sure where to start, and I’d heard that there was this satellite Christian music station broadcasting from Scappose, Oregon, so went out there and applied for work.  They told me I wasn’t qualified enough for what they were doing, so I continued looking around and working in secular radio.  A friend of mine was involved in building new facilities for KCCS in Salem, Oregon, so he hired me to help with that build and to host mornings.  I loved it and would have been very happy there, but a Portland radio station was interested in me hosting their morning show and offered so much money that, since I’ve got a family, I just couldn’t turn down.  After working there for a time, the format was changed and I ended up working for the Crawford stations in Portland for about 6 months then resigned. So I was looking for work again and ended up going for a job interview to be a weekend board operator for KPDQ, ended up being hired as Program Director, and have just been promoted as Operations Manager for all 3 Salem stations here in Portland:  KPDQ-FM/KPDQ-AM/KFIS.  About 37 years to get here.

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

Portland is the best place in the United States to live and work.  We’re just about an hour from the ocean, about an hour from skiing, far enough south of Seattle to have better weather, and far enough north of California to have better everything.  We have this reputation of being one of the most un-churched areas of the country, but there is a revival attitude that is underway here with diverse denominations coming together to work for the Greater Glory, focusing on our commonality instead of our differences.


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

The thought that instead of selling someone the latest doodad that they don’t need, we’re exposing people to something that has Eternal Value.

 

3. How has God used you in your role at KFIS?

This is a difficult question to answer.  I don’t think I’ll really have an answer for you in my lifetime.  I pray that I’m displaying a Christian life in everything I do, from the way I interact with the staff and listeners, to the decisions that are made in all aspects of operating the stations.  I take seriously that everything we say and do is witnessing for The Lord, and do my human best to conduct myself accordingly.  But, I am consistently reminded that Christians aren’t perfect, we’re just Forgiven. 

 

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

That question would be better answered by our Music Director Kat Taylor (nominated for MD of the year by Radio and Records by the way!!)



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

The ones that are fun to listen to and involve the audience, especially if we can make an emotional connection.  This one would be better answered by our Promotions/Marketing Director (the BEST in radio), Leslie Pfau.


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

This would be another good question for Kat.  Personally, I’d like to hear a broader diversity within the format concepts.  It sometimes sounds like most of the music that is coming out is indistinguishable f