Josh Guevara Interview
Josh Guevara
Manager
KVFE
Del Rio, TX
Career Capsule: I got involved with the Christian music industry when I was 16. We started out with the hopes of bringing Christian concerts to our area. I eventually became a promoter for many years. We promoted shows in places like Del Rio, Uvalde, San Antonio, and Eagle Pass with Groups like Rush of Fools, Building 429 and even Carmen. I did all this while working for a motorcycle dealership. I worked my way up from the parts room to General Manager. In 2011, we started volunteering with KEPI Inspiracom’s station in Eagle Pass TX. In 2014 I left my job as GM at the dealership and joined the Inspiracom family as an employee. It was quite a leap of faith, but after doing promotion and even setting up a print shop at HQ, I was asked to Manage KVFE and the rest is history!
Josh, tell us what’s new at KVFE … any news, changes etc… and what’s new with YOU?
A lot! I have been busy and so has KVFE!
We recently moved our studio to a new location. If you have ever done a buildout of a studio, you know it’s an incredible amount of work! To save money we did most of the work ourselves and we are still only about 85 percent done, but we are happy with how things have turned out!
On top of all that I try to stay active in the community. I was recently appointed as a Vice-President of The Del Rio Chamber of Commerce. This offers a great opportunity to stay connected with the community!
How do you balance work & family, how important is it for someone in Christian Radio to ‘have a life”?
Oh boy, that’s the million-dollar question. Radio can be an “all encompassing” field, especially in management. You must make time and know it’s a give and take. And don’t waste vacation days!
I think it’s important to remember that we are here to be Hope and Encouragement to people, and that applies to us too. We should be blessed and ministered to, just as much as our listeners. If we aren’t, then we are doing something wrong.
Overall, what is the best programming advice you’ve been given? The worst?
The Best? That all that we do on air is only one part of what makes good radio. We must be involved in the community. We often coach on air talent to speak in a way that makes a connection. To speak like they are talking directly to the listener. Getting out in the community and connecting face to face with our listeners does exactly that and helps build a connection to the station.
The worst? That you can do everything from behind the microphone.
What’s something you’ve learned due to the pandemic, about Christian Radio, that you didn’t know before?
Working remotely! I think being able to make radio away from the studio has opened so many possibilities. We always had the tech do work remotely, but using it firsthand was great.
What are your thoughts on podcasting, should all Christian broadcasters have a podcast?
I think podcasting is great! But yes, it gives stations the ability to dive deeper into topics that you can’t in a 30 second break. It also gives the listeners the ability to dive into topics they enjoy. Inspiracom (KVFE’s parent company) is working on launching a series of podcasts network wide!
Where will new up and coming air talent for Christian Radio come from?
From our own volunteer base. I know of many who have started as volunteers and are now on air. And with audio equipment getting better and smaller, home studios are easier to set up. This gives those interested in starting on air the ability to create at home and giving stations the ability to cultivate talent that maybe would not have had the opportunity otherwise.
Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian air talent?
Time. Honestly availability is one of the huge hurdles in life as a whole. So being able to do things remotely or in advance is what keeps us going. I prefer live and local, but sometimes it’s not always an option.
Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?
Rush Hour Renegades! Joey and Jesse of “Full House”! While it was only TV, that part of the show is why I am in radio today!
I would be doing a dishonor to radio to not also mention Wolfman Jack. I would not say he is an influence, but we are in Del Rio, TX. If not for XERF “The Border Blaster” that broadcasted from here, we would not have radio as we know it today! If you do not remember Wolfman Jack, he was known for his distinct radio voice. He was literally world known because the super high-powered AM signal he was on could reach most of the world from the Texas-Mexico border.