Angie Vertucci Interview 10-15-18
Angie Vertucci
Operations Director/Morning Show Host
WSOH
Bellefontaine, OH
Career Capsule: I started in radio in 2012 as a “fluke”, or that’s what I thought! I started as the “second” on the morning show for a local Oldies station. After two years, I took over the morning show as “Angie in the Morning”. After leaving that station, during the unemployment phase, my prayer to God was, “Lord, you can send me anywhere, but NOT back to radio.” I began to assist friend, Mark Boyer, who started Shine FM in Bellefontaine, OH, with production and marketing. The deal we made was I would NOT go back on air. One day he asked me to take over the morning show… that was almost 5 years ago! God had it planned all along for me to be in Christian radio, as I can see it now. I am not only the Morning Show host, but also the Operations Director, Program Director, Event Coordinator, and whatever else Mark passes my direction 🙂
Angie, tell us what’s new at WSOH… news, changes, & what’s new with YOU… etc?
Shine FM (WSOH and WKEN) is growing every day! We recently expanded one of our signals to cover more of West Central Ohio. We are making plans to continue to grow the station not only in coverage areas but in influence. We are heavily involved in ReviveOhio, which trains and sends people in teams to the community to pray with individuals and share the Gospel message. This experience has not only transformed our churches and communities, but it has changed our hearts as a staff and station.
Christian Radio has become very competitive… what do you do to stand out from the crowd?
As a station, we stay very connected to the communities that we serve. The rural areas we serve can feel a bit disconnected, so our presence at local events reminds them that they have value and deserve our attention. We love on them to the best of our ability!
What is the best show advice you’ve been given? The worst?
The worst advice I was ever given was to “become the celebrity”. I never felt comfortable with that notion. The best advice was just the opposite: Be the voice that reminds people they matter and that God loves them. What if I am the last voice they hear before they decide to take their life? What will they hear me say? My motto is SPEAK LOVE AND LIFE.
Some say more Christian stations in a market the better, do you agree with that, why or why not?
I think there should be no competition in Christian radio. All the stations have their niche, purpose, genre and areas of focus. We should all strive to come together as ONE body of believers to share the Good News. “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. (Eph 4:3-6)
What is the ONE thing you must have every day to do your job/show?
I have to wake up and do my morning devotions and quiet time. I may talk about a variety of things on the air, but the most important is the refreshing words of God. I can’t lead where I haven’t been, so staying in the Word is the thing I MUST start with each day.
Where will future Christian radio air talent come from?
I have often wondered this as well. We attend school career days and try to educate kids on the opportunities in radio, but only a few show real interest. Then, of those who show interest, very few have found their calling to radio. We try to encourage and support their growth. We have hired two interns so far, both of whom are exceling in the industry.
Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio?
Sometimes I feel like we live in a bubble, way out here in rural Mid-Ohio! I know that we face the challenges every day of how to continue to be relevant to our communities, talk about sensitive issues they care about, and give people a reason to tune in.
Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?
Johnny Fever was my first radio influence (LOL). In all seriousness, Gary Rivers, who is on secular radio, is my “Radio Dad” and showed me the ropes back on the oldies station. My biggest influence, however, is Jesus. That may sound very cliché, but the truth is that I wouldn’t be here, doing this amazing job, without Him. His truth needs to be relayed each time I open my mouth, so I stay in His influence and teaching as much as possible.