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Radio Interview

                                     

Brian Sumner

Music Director

Spirit FM Network

Lynchburg, VA.

 

 

Brian's Career Capsule
Worked from 1986-1995 at 103CIR in Beckley WV a mainstream AC/CHR, did overnights, evenings, mid-days and worked in continuity, music director and assistant PD at various times. Also I started a CCM program called "Rock Solid" from 93-95 and this led to a desire to work Christian radio. 1995-2000 WAEY/Star 95 in Princeton WV,  a country station that went mainstream AC in 99, I was OM, did mornings on country station and mid-days when it went AC. 2000 Joined PAR fm Roanoke Va for mornings, when PAR fm merged with WRXT (Spirit FM) in 2001 I joined  "Good Morning Radio" as a co-host, news and producer.  I'm also the music director.

 

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

Ronaoke/Lynchburg is the main coverage area, although the 2 cities are basically 2 different markets.  Roanoke is more of a melting pot, urban area, while the rest of the market is more rural. The coverage area is huge when you include all the full power transmitters, Southside VA including Danville/Martinsville, the NRV including Blacksburg (go Hokies) and southern WV.  We have actually traveled 3 hours one way for a remote.

 

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

Knowing that everyday God is using the station to minister to people, plus the station now reaches my hometown, so everyday it's a personal testimony of my faith in Christ.

 

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

Testimony and story after story of how God used a certain song to reach them.  One cool thing we found out this week, a major car dealership in town tunes all their car radios to Spirit FM so when someone takes a test drive, the first thing they hear is something positive!

 

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

Does it fit and hit our target!

 

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

Does it help our target listener "Live the Life", Last fall we gave away a college education!!!  We had hundreds of entries and thousands participate in the voting aspect of the promotion.  Winner got a 4 year scholarship to Liberty University.

 

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

Be honest and don't hype me,  keep an honest communication between the station and the record rep.  More fun fact filled bios (Kat Davis knows what I'm talking about!)

 

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

Doing great "Christian" radio,  Do great radio!

 

8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio air personality today?

Be honest and encouraging, be someone people would hang out with and let the music do the preaching!

 

9. What (if any) other Christian radio stations do you consider as innovators today?

WPOZ, I love how they became Orlando's station during last year's hurricanes!  The community tuned and turned to them!  Many other great stations impacting their markets, WCQR, WPER, KSBJ, WMHK and KXOJ.

 

10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years? 

More great air-talent, more great music and winning in more markets,  MOST important, more people listening to stations with the ONLY message of hope on the dial!  Christian radio,  I love it and thank God he made a way for me to be involved.
 

        

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