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Lynn's
Career Capsule
As the wife of a retired military member and mother of two
teenagers, I have been blessed with many opportunities to
develop life experience in ministry work, from church financial
secretary, to Sr. Pastor Executive Assistant, to many years in front
of a congregation sharing the "God moments" in my life through
Children's sermons, to many more years leading worship as part of a
music ministry team. Music has always been an enormous part of my
life, and I believe no other type of music moves the soul like
Christian music. I joined the KTLF Light Praise team 5 years ago as
the office assistant and quickly learned the ropes. I was soon
asked to join the morning show to bring those "God moment nuggets"
to the airwaves, and as the door opened to assume the position as
Program Director / Music Director, I finally knew where all that
life experience and love of music was leading.
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”?
By
going back through e-mails and letters to see the life impact the
ministry is having on real people when the GM tells me there's no
money for this or that. By being transparent with the listener
during the morning show and making physical connections with them at
remotes. By keeping my eyes focused on the goal - to edify the body
of Christ.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio different today, from 5 years
ago?
Since
I've only been involved in the workings of Christian radio for 5
years, I draw from my 20+ years of general ministry service and I
would say the biggest difference is the overwhelming rise in
mediocrity and complacency among the consumers; the willingness to
stand on the sidelines and waste the opportunity to speak out in
Jesus' name...more than ever we need to get in the game!
3. What do you think are the main characteristics of today’s
Christian radio PD?
I
think having a wide range of interests, skills, and life
experienceoutside of radio makes you better able to relate to your
audience. The broader your view, the more ways you'll see where you
can impact the world through radio.
4. What criteria do you require for a song to be played on your
station?
With
it becoming increasingly harder to find "light Inspo" music these
days, the first criterion any song must pass is, "Can I understand
what they are saying?" The message is the most important aspect of
the song and if I can't understand the message, what's the point?
Next, I look at the intensity of the music, is it too "modern"
sounding, too music driven, that the music distracts from the
message of the song; again, the message is the most important thing.
Finally, is it a song that, because of its timeless message, folks
will still want to hear in a year? Five years?
5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian radio?
I
have found that our listeners are very much aware of how their money
and their time impact Kingdom issues. We always have the best
response to promotions that involve them in the opportunity to make
a difference. Things like sponsoring children, sending shoe boxes
overseas, collecting yarn for inmates to make baby blankets, etc.
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
As an
Inspo station, I find it increasingly difficult to find good Inspo
music...the industry seems to be moving away from it, and yet, there
is obviously still a market for it, especially as life expectancy
continues to rise. Eventually everyone's going to end up listening
to Inspo!
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today?
Probably the increasing music licensing fees and expenses associated
with Internet streaming. Then, when you consider that artists are
still trying to sell a complete collection of 12 songs for $18.95
when listeners can download their two favorite songs for $.99 cents
each - the industry may need to take a different approach on how
they get the music into the consumers hands that still benefits all
parties involved.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio
air personality?
To transparently share life experiences that, even through
weaknesses, undecidedly point the listener to Christ.
9. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
Advancing as the last frontier of human interaction...With the
advent of computers, we began the personal isolation process. As
texting continues to engulf the attention of our teens, the
isolation intensifies. With the rise in popularity of IPod's and
satellite radio, with no audible human contact, radio will emerge
as the last frontier in bringing "home town" personalities to light
- and Christian radio will shine as the moral, ethical, spiritual
compass the body of Christ will seek.
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