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Radio Interview

Scott Smith

Asst. Program Director / Music Director and Afternoon Drive 

K LOVE

Rocklin
 

To contact Scott click here
 

 

 

Scott's Career Capsule
I got started when I was a sophomore in High School at 15, at  KKOJ, a small country station in the middle of a cornfield in MN (literally).  I moved between my sophomore and junior year to Rapid City, SD and worked all the way through HS at Hit 100 FM, the number 1 station in town.  That is where I really fell in love with radio and decided that I would rather do radio than be a doctor, which I was planning for throughout school.

For a season, I realized I could make a whole lot more money in sales and business, so I left radio, but radio proved to be like the tractor beam on the Death Star in Star Wars, it sucked me back in.  My first Christian radio gig was at WAPN in Daytona Beach, FL and then onto Z88.3(WPOZ) in Orlando, where I spent 12 years doing mornings, before moving to KLOVE.

 

1. How is doing afternoons with a co-host different than what you did before?

I don’t notice that there is much of a difference, I really enjoy working with Kelli, prior to doing afternoons, we did the morning show on the Air 1 network, so it is an easy transition.  The truth is I love doing radio, I don’t feel there is any difference in my approach, other than some natural nuances that are unique to afternoons.  I think that no matter what shift you’re doing, you should be bringing it every break, and connecting with your audience.

 

2. How has your show evolved or changed over the last few years?

I really appreciate the great coaching and insight that I have learned from mentors and friends like David Pierce, Mike Novak, Tommy Kramer, Randy Lane, Alan Mason and John Frost.  I have learned how to connect with our audience like never before.  They have each taught me how to use the tools in my tool built, and for that I will be forever grateful.  Their inspiration and encouragement have been a huge blessing to me.  The biggest evolution is having the courage to be real and authentic, every single break!

 

3. What show topics seem to be hot right now?

The show differs from day to day, just like life, it’s really hard to say there is a formula for what topics work or don’t work.  If you don’t feel whatever it is you’re going to say is going to connect somehow, that “Shut Up and Play a Song.”

 

4. What is the advantage of being on a national network? 

I love that we are a network, there is something special about being able to connect believers across the country through great music.  We here from so many listeners who are thrilled with the idea that listening to KLOVE is what connects them with family and friends all over the country.

 

5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian personalities?

We really try to focus our promotional efforts on a variety of ideas, ranging from the fun to the heartfelt.  The one thing that we want to be an element in every contest is making sure that it provides our winners with a unique experience that they can’t get anywhere else.

 

6. Do you use any show prep services? 

Not really, I think that there are some good prep services out there, like Positive prep and Sheprep, but Kelli and I prep on our own, and then meet before the show to map out what we have and build a roadmap for the show.  One benefit that we have is having our own news department, they do a great job of posting things on KLOVE.com, so it makes it easier for listeners to find things that we talk about in the show.

 

7. What are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio today?

I am a glass half full kind of guy, so I don’t see many obstacles, but I do think that all radio is faced with the performance rights mess, however that isn’t something unique to Christian radio.  I believe that we also haven’t done the best job of developing new on-air talent, which I hope that we aim to improve upon as an industry. 

 

8. Do you think there will be more or less syndication in the future of Christian radio?

Due to the tough economic times, I do believe that you may see more syndicated, or network radio.  Working at a network, I don’t think that is a bad thing, in fact, we are always looking at ways to improve what we do on a local level.  Having worked in local Christian radio, and first hand seen the impact of having a great local station, I think that is a great