Larry Wayne Interview 6-26-17

Larry Wayne
On Air Personality
KLOVE

Career Capsule: Got my start in radio as a teen in Chicago on the WLS Guest / Teen DJ show…my 15 minutes of fame on mid America’s Friendly Giant led to over 50 years behind a mic! My first paid on air gig was at northwest suburban WNWC in Arlington Heights. Drafted in 1969 which took me to a microphone in the Alaskan Forces Radio Network at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage. Worked for several different stations in Anchorage (some of them multiple times as I would come back and re-apply after I had been fired when they would change general managers!) Spent a brief time doing mornings at KQMQ in Honolulu. Returned to Anchorage in 1980, met and married (Dean), the woman who told me about Christ 36 years ago. (We met during an on air radio station contest  on KENI.) Put my career in God’s hands and was tracking daily shows for WCIE in Lakeland, FL and Spirit FM in Portland, Or., while on the air in Anchorage. Before the days of uploading and downloading audio,  I got to be very familiar with Fed X deadlines and how long it would take me to get to the airport with that big reel of tape. Ended up as part of the start up of the Air 1 network in St Helens, OR. Fun times as none of us knew anything about computers at the time. The network ran an early Enco system full time.. Which led to various shifts at K-LOVE over the past 18 years with EMF.

Larry,, Tell us what’s new with KLOVE… news, changes, & with YOU… etc?

I pulled back from full time at K-LOVE in early June. Tracking weekend shifts now  and being a utility guy. Building my voice over business.

What are some unique characteristics you’ve discovered about your market?

Although K-LOVE is in just about every state, the needs of listeners are the same. A need to fill the God shaped hole in their heart with the hope that only Jesus can bring. 

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

Keep it tight, bright and brief. 

The worst?

Each hour we will play one big band, one female, one male, one classical cut in order to appeal to EVERY taste!

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

It’s always good to have more outlets to tell the gospel story. But, sadly, these days, only the strong survive.

What is the ONE thing you must have everyday to do your job?

A good attitude. I am humbled and, quite honestly, afraid sometimes of the power of the radio platform we have to share the good news. To this day I continue to hear how those on air breaks brought a listener somewhere out of a very dark time in their life. To God be the glory. 

Where will future Christian radio air talent come from?

From stations that do not hinder the progress of potential talent. From intern programs and an open door for those truly called to be there.

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

Alternative media. There are so many choices out there these days that compete with a listeners time. Pointless breaks are invites to the listener to see what else is out there. And they may never find a reason to come back to you.

Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why? 

 Art Roberts, a DJ at WLS in Chicago, started the guest teen dj program on that station. It was after that short 15 minutes that I knew radio is what I wanted to do. Today, my hat is off to Randy Chase, K-LOVE/Air 1 PD. He has taken his years of secular experience, mixed it with the passion of knowing and loving Jesus and putting Him first, and providing a product that is competitive and compelling. Rahny Taylor, Randy’s former second in command, (now doing mornings in Milwaukee) was a master at human interaction with the professional ego. I consider both of them good friends.