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Jeremy's
Career Capsule
Jeremy
discovered his passion for radio after entering Houghton College in
western New York as a Math Major. A friend invited him to sit in on
a show at the college’s radio station and Jeremy was hooked. He
changed his major and got his own radio show…and another…and
another. After graduation, Jeremy headed to Wheaton College in
Illinois for a Master’s Degree in Communication. While there he
worked part time at Wheaton’s WETN as well as WMBI in downtown
Chicago and WCFL in Morris, IL. He also completed an internship at
the renowned WGN in Chicago. Jeremy’s first full time position came
in January, 2000 when he was hired as Production Director and Midday
Announcer at New Life 91.9-WRCM in Charlotte, NC. In 2004 he was
invited to join the team at 91.5 WCIC in Peoria, IL as Production
Director and Midday Announcer. He was soon became the Afternoon
Drive host, was promoted to Senior Production Director for the New
Life Media Network and in 2006 was named Program Director at 91.5
WCIC. In 2005 91.5 WCIC was the GMA Station of the Year in a Small
Market. When he’s not at the radio station, Jeremy loves going for
long walks with his wife, Jill, and playing with their 18-month-old
daughter, Alyssa Joy.
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the
“business”?
I’m
not saying I do a very good job at this, but reminding myself “who”
I’m working for. When I’m striving to do a killer mic break, is
that drive coming from a desire to honor Jesus Christ through my
work or am I just trying to make a name for myself? I pray often
that God would make my motives pure. It’s a tough balancing act at
times.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio different today,
from 5 years ago?
There
are more stations that are excellent and understand the basics of
good radio.
3. What do you think are the main characteristics of
today’s Christian radio PD?
All
are busy, many are stressed and overworked, but it’s an exciting
time to be a Christian radio PD! PDs have more experience than ever
and they have access to more tools than ever to do their jobs
effectively.
4. What criteria do you require for a song to be
played on your station?
Family
Friendly, 91.5 WCIC is part of New Life Media and our network music
director is Joe Buchanan. Joe does an incredible job of selecting
music that fits our target listener “Lisa”. After a song is added
we test it using on-line testing and ultimately for a song to last
it has to be a listener “favorite”. Another thing he does is make
sure the song honors God directly or indirectly.
5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian
radio?
We
have really been trying to do promotions that are “remarkable”, that
create buzz, and get “Lisa” talking to others about the station.
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can
better serve Christian radio?
New
Life Media has a great relationship with the record labels and I
really feel like that has come through good communication. We sure
appreciate them.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles
facing Christian radio today?
Honestly, keeping our eye on our mission. I really feel Christian
radio has grown so much in recent years in developing an excellent
on-air product that it is attracting more people than ever. Despite
all of that, it’s so easy to lose sight of why we are doing what we
are doing. Excellence is so important, but the excellence is what
helps us achieve our mission. Excellence isn’t the end.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the
Christian radio air personality?
The
primary role is to connect relationally with the listener. To do
that the personality has to live life out on the air. Share funny
stories, hopes, dreams, struggles, etc. and by doing that the
personality will hopefully model a life of faith.
9. What (if any) Christian radio stations do you
consider as innovators today?
There
are lots of them out there right now! I have to give props to our
sister stations Family Friendly WBGL and Family Friendly, 91.1 WIBI.
They’re getting it done!
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
I
believe Christian radio will be more professional than ever. The
question will be…what are we going to do with all that cume? Are we
moving listeners towards Christ?
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