Bobby Richardson Interview

Bobby Richardson
New Journey Radio Network
NewJourneyRadio.com

Career Capsule: I have worked in radio since my junior year of high school. I started at our local university campus station as a volunteer and was contacted by a local radio station (Kickin’ 103) to be their overnight personality. After about 9 months I moved into the 7-midnight slot for a little over a year. I was called by another local station (Z-100) about coming to be their 7- midnight drive person. It was almost 2 years when Kickin’ 103 offered me to come back to them. I was there for about a year before I was offered the opportunity to move to Tupelo Ms. and help take an old urban station and start what is now WZZK (Wizard 106). I worked there for about a year and a half as music director and assistant program director. I moved back to Columbus and left the radio business to become a law enforcement officer. Partly Accomplishing two of my childhood goals. To own my own radio station and to be a police officer. Today my wife and I own and operate New Journey Radio Network. 

Bobby, tell us what’s new at New Journey Radio… any news, changes etc… and what’s new with YOU? 

We are still celebrating and excited about being recognized as Fan Favorite Radio Station by Christian Voice Magazine and also winning the Diamond Award for Best Internet Radio Station. 

We are working hard at upholding this honor and have a lot of work ahead of us maintaining this standard of excellence. We are currently looking through interviews for on air personalities.

How do you balance work & family, how important is it for someone in Christian Radio to ‘have a life”?

I won’t say it’s easy, but when your wife works just as hard behind the scenes and our goal together is not just for our radio but for our family to be the best. 

We are parents to 3 handsome successful young men and grandparents to 4 absolute angels from God. 

Family time is non negotiable. 

What makes programming an internet station unique, what’s different, challenges?

Programming is not really difficult. We know our music genre boundaries and take it to the limit. 

I think being an Internet Radio Station is challenging due to the stereotype people have of “radio”. Internet radio is not considered “real radio” to many. 

What’s something you’ve learned about launching an online Christian station that you didn’t know prior?

Launching our station was first a hobby. I felt it could become more and wanted, even by terrestrial stations. 

Terrestrial stations are feeling the “room get crowded” and some are taking advantage of this new outlet. 

For example, New Journey Radio programming is carried by 3 terrestrial stations. 

How do you handle the costs, for music, royalties?

Trying to juggle the expenses of a radio station can be challenging. There is a lot of personal investment and sacrifice.

February 16th, New Journey Radio will be 6 years old. We have only had 3 on air fundraiser drives. 

We try to communicate our needs to our listeners and supporters by having to “hound” them.

Cost is always at the forefront of our moving forward. 

Working hard to find underwriters, sponsors or donors to offset the monthly costs of licensing, programming and staffing. 

What is your view on music playlists, how do you see the composition of new to current to gold? 

Music rotation is a science. I’ve learned a lot from working as music director and assistant program director. 

submissions are reviewed by myself or one of our team members. Our Heavy rotation consists of new releases and top requests, 

then rotates to medium, standard, recurrent and light. 

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

Like anything else, it’s the big boys that not only dominate the system of promotion and representation of Artists but control the charting process. 

We have always considered ourselves a platform for independent artists. I believe internet radio has definitely changed things for the better.

Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why? 

Rick Dees, Casey Kasem and DD Hamric. Rick and Casey I grew up listening too, and DD is my radio mentor. It was an honor to get to

work with DD.