Adam Frase Interview 4-1-16

Adam Frase
General Manager
WCTL
Erie

Career Capsule: After starting a new church in 1974, my pastor grandfather took a radio job until the new congregation got off the ground. When I was a little guy he announced my birthday on the air. I thought it was so cool-my grandpa was on the radio! I’ve been fascinated with it ever since. That station was WCTL. Despite an automotive background, I couldn’t ignore the call of God to work for the ministry. In October 1994, I went in and asked if there were any openings. I started doing Sunday mornings as a board op, went fulltime May 1997 as PM Drive Announcer, then mornings, & middays. Over the years I been Music Director, Asst. PD, PD, OM, and accepted the offer of GM in July 2014.

1. Adam, Tell us what’s new at WCTL… news, changes, expansion, with you… etc?

It’ll be our 50th year in ministry in 2017. We’re looking forward to celebrating with our listeners with some great events.

2. What is the best programming advice you’ve been given?

I don’t know if there’s any one thing that is the guiding principal, but a few come to mind:

• Find out what they want and give it to them.
• You get judged on what you play, not on what you don’t.
• People choose listen to us because they’re looking for something or because they’ve found something – Jesus. Don’t be afraid to reinforce their reason for choosing us.

3. Some say more Christian stations in a market the better, do you agree with that, why or why not?

Better for what or whom? I’d like more information or a better context to the question. I will say that, generally, competition can make one better and more people hearing about Jesus is better. That’s about as specific I can get on a generalized statement.

4. What is the ONE thing you must have every day to do your job?

Breakfast.

5. Where will future Christian radio air talent come from?

Probably will come from the folks that are able to connect and capture their audience’s attention. My hunch is they won’t necessarily be from radio or looking for a radio career. It may just come together because they’re doing what successful radio personalities have done over the years – connect and capture their audience. They’ll just be doing it in their respective media. Hopefully, radio will still be viable enough to support its future stars.

6. Do you feel syndication is good or bad for Christian radio?

Depends on what the mission is. Syndication is not inherently evil, nor is local programming. Mission and vision should/will drive that decision.

7. Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio?

Millennials. Demos that didn’t grow up with radio will be an obstacle. Radio will have to work harder to be relevant to them or find what media outlet is and potentially provide that platform to them.

8. Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?

Several have had an influence, too many to name. I’ve been stealing stuff from my peers for years! If I had one radio hero it would be my grandpa. Doing what needed to be done to advance the Gospel but also taking time to say happy birthday to a 6 year old. He was a man of God who loved radio. I am blessed to follow in his footsteps.