|
Terry's Career
Capsule
Started part-time at The Refuge in 2000 as overnight
voice-tracker and production assistant. Moved into full-time in 2002
doing traffic and eventually moved into the Music Director/Afternoon
Drive Host position and on to Program Director in 2005-2006. In 2007
I took over as Morning Show Host adding that to my duties as PD/MD
and Traffic Director.
1.
Recently you left Refuge Radio due to budget cutbacks at the
station. How has that affected you in a personal way?
Honestly, at first it was very shocking. And slightly
devastating. It took a couple of days to come to terms with all of
it, but through prayer, I realized that God has a perfect plan and
he sees the end from the beginning. Who am I to doubt what He sets
in motion? My wife took it harder than I did, I think. But she is
trusting in God as I look for the next opportunity.
2. Generally speaking how does the Christian Radio job landscape
look to you?
There are a lot of people competing for the same
positions. Of course, I want this to be an opportunity to “move up”
in the industry. But I quickly realized that might not be what God
wants. He is still working on making me the best that I can be and
use the gifts I have been given to glorify HIM. I can do that
anywhere he puts me. Again, I’m praying to put all my trust in
HIM.
3.
How do you best handle the emotional aspect of having to look for
another job?
I’m still
working on that one. I get down sometimes wondering if anyone will
call back. But I have a strange sense of peace. I know that God will
take care of me. He loves me. I don’t know why, but I know its true.
He promised me a hope and a future and HE keeps his promises.
4. What advice would you give to someone else who finds themselves
in your position?
Keep your head
up. Don’t get bitter. That doesn’t do anybody any good. Sure, some
people might not return your calls, but don’t take it personally and
don’t give up. Try to remember that a lot of people are either
looking for work or trying desperately to keep the jobs they have.
But God is so much bigger than all of it.
5. What do you think was your greatest accomplishment at Refuge
Radio?
I really think that we were able to build Refuge
Radio into something different in the industry. We were able to make
the station a “safe” place without settling into the status quo.
With the help of my Assistant Music Director, Jake Scott (the best
thing that happened to Refuge in many years), we introduced the
listeners to new music and artists that they might not have even
known about. Jake introduced me to artists like Dustin Kensrue,
Corey Crowder, Sufjan Stevens and mewithoutYou etc. These artists
are true men and women of God who don’t necessarily fit into what we
call the Core Artist category. Don’t get me wrong, core artists are
essential and what the public has come to expect, but how often have
we all heard from different sources in the industry, and in our own
lives, things like, “that’s song is good for radio, but not the best
song on the album”? Or “Yeah, that’s a good artist for radio but
here’s what I’m listening to”. At Refuge we strove to give people
the BEST out there. To expand their musical palette and expose them
to something new, while still keeping the playlist reflective of
what was popular in the industry.
That, in my opinion is what radio needs to do as we
move forward. There has to be a blend of playing “hits” and
realizing that some listeners are using radio as a source to hear
what is new and different, before they decide to spend $1.29 at the
itunes store.
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
I think they are all doing a great job. Budgets are
tight for them too. But I think if they keep looking to push the
envelope a bit and help programmers know about some of the new and
different artists on their roster we can all make radio a little
more exciting for the consumer.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today?
Well, except for the money issues we are all
facing…That kind of goes back to an earlier question. I think that
the landscape is changing so fast and many programmers are so busy
that they are over-whelmed. Sometimes we need to be willing to take
calculated risks with our stations. Some of the old ways of doing
radio just don’t work anymore. I’m not saying a wholesale change,
but just a little tweak here and there. We can never get so busy
that we stick to what we have always done and forget about making
our product the best it can be.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio
air personality?
To connect with the listener. Get a clear idea of who
you are talking to and try as best you can to invite yourself into
their world. And above all else.. BE REAL! Drop the radio lingo and
the “Christianese – Cheese”. If you find yourself using jargon or
saying anything different than you would if the listener were at a
barbeque on your front deck, DON’T DO IT! The listener can smell a
phony and there are just too many other choices for them. They want
to feel like they are your friends (in many cases, they are or will
be on Facebook anyway). Morning shows should be a nice time gathered
for a cup of coffee, talk about different events and share with them
how that makes you feel, ask for them to join in make them feel
welcome in your breakfast nook.
Also, for music stations, take some time to get to
know the music and the artists as best you can. Radio should be a
time for us to share the cool new song that we just heard, again
much the same way you would do if you were hanging out at home
listening to music. One of my biggest pet peeves is an announcer who
clearly has never even listened to more that the ten second intro to
a song. Once you mispronounce a name or say something about that
song that is clearly wrong…you’ve lost all credibility and maybe
lost a listener.
9. What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as
innovators today?
There are a few programmers and stations right now
that “get it”. Trying to single any one out means forgetting
someone else…
Maybe since I don’t work there anymore it is not too
narcissistic to say Refuge Radio. Maybe it is, I’m just proud of
what we were able to accomplish.
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
That is a tough one. Things are really changing so
fast its hard to say. I am really praying that smaller stations are
able to hang on so that they can remain relevant and local.
Previous Interviews
|
