My radio career started in the small town of Brownwood Texas in 1986 (KISJ-FM) which is now a Christian AC. I’ve worked out most of my radio dues at various stations in the Triad of North Carolina where among them I programmed a Commercial Christian AC 94.1 “ The Dove”

 

1. How did you wind up at WPER?

Well thanks to an Ad placed with off the air productions I met up with the fine folks from Positive Alternative radio! My wife was very reluctant to move since we had lived in NC for over 10 years. So I told her unless they offered me a GM/PD Position at a brand new full power start up station closer to the Northeast I wouldn’t even consider it. Later that day I called her to say Honey were moving.

 

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

Obviously it’s the opportunity to impact the community for Christ! We position the station by using “The music matters in our imaging. Not a day goes by without a call or an email from a listener saying just that!

 

3.How is the Wash DC Christian market unique?

One of the most unique differences is the morning and afternoon commute. It’s not unusual for a listener to drive at least an hour to and from work (before factoring in traffic) so listeners spend a lot of time listening in their car’s for companionship and stress relief from there second job. (Driving to and from work) Another difference is meeting people from all walks of life from all 50 states and other countries.

 

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

Does the song musically fit the personality of the 89.9 WPER listener and offer what they are listening to WPER for? Do the lyrics say something that the listener can apply to their life? Am I confident that 75% of our listeners will like the song? In other words is it mass appeal! Is the song strong enough to stand the test of time? Will this song make the power songs/Gold of tomorrow?

 

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

Well it’s hard to beat CD’s and tickets to concerts (well maybe a new veggie tales video!) Listeners seem to enjoy simple gifts that enhance their lifestyle. Our most successful promotion to date was "The it’s all about Love" weekend getaway where listeners won the new Steven CD and qualified for a weekend getaway to LOVE VA.

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

Be nice to the smaller stations! Just because they don’t chart or broadcast from a non-rated market does not mean they should not get service, giveaways or recognition. These stations have their part in the God given (big picture). We should take extra care to make sure every station striving to do great radio and has a heart for God gets treated with respect and is provided with the tools to win regardless of their potential cume.

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

How do we keep and please the existing contemporary Christian music listener while breaking through the walls that stereotype us. There are amazing amounts of believers that Love God but will only listen to mainstream stations. We need to pursue these potential listeners with great radio and the Music that Matters!

 

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

To be a real person. Listeners love for you to be positive, warm and authentic. Each of us have strong points of our personalities and many weaknesses. Those that are not afraid to be themselves are very effective.

 

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

No particular station comes to mind. I hear lots of good stations but most do what the other guy’s have done because they are in a big market and have been able to crack the top 15 or 10. The innovators of today are the ones who go with more then just their own gut or what works in a different market. The innovators utilize research to better serve their particular area taking the whole market picture into consideration. The challenge is if your results are a bit different from the industry norm and it’s the innovators that will actually do it.

 

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

I believe God is preparing the stage for our stations to be a position of major service to our communities! The professional sound we all seek is a movement of God to prepare us for thousands of new listeners looking for a message of hope and encouragement in an environment they can feel comfortable in. America could see a lot a stuff happen within the next five years and I believe God fully intends to use our stations to communicate His love.