Nelson Interview
Nelson
On Air 7-mid
Worship 24/7
Portland
Career Capsule: I got my start in radio by calling a local morning show and doing character voices and trying to be funny. They eventually tracked me down, hired me part time, and one day that lead to an on air position on that very same morning show. No professional training. Never went to college, never even finished high school. Lost many years of my adult life to drugs and alcohol and being very reckless and wild.
Nelson, tell us what’s new at Worship 24/7… news, changes, & with new with YOU… etc?
Not much new with me. So many difficulties and challenges in the last few years. Loss of career, marriage of 25 years, mental health issues…severe anxiety disorder. Things are so much better now. Sounds so very chiche, but I think God took me through all of those things to bring me to where I am now and in that, I became more dependent on Him. Trusting Him and nothing else. He is all that matters and when things are right with Him (peace and reconciliation with Him thru Jesus Christ) everything else will fall in to place.
You’ve been off the air for a while, how was that experience personally?
It has been a little rough. Had a very long and successful career and all of a sudden it’s “now what?’ Still loved radio and wanted to get back but wasn’t sure if that chance would come again after my years at the Fish in Portland. Made a few attempts at podcasts but never seem to find the right people and never got off the ground. I am terrible by myself, well I guess I should say much better when I have others to work with.
What is the best programming/show advice you’ve been given? The worst?
Best advice I ever got is keep it simple. When you are having fun, chances are that your audience is too. Never lie to them, be who you are (warts and all) and always try to picture who it is you are talking to.
What’s the response been to Worship 24/7 from listeners on your new show?
Response has been very good I think. Heard from so many people. The old saying holds true, do what you love for a living and you will never work and day in your life…or should I say “never feel” like you are working.
What is your opinion of podcasts for stations & air talent, are they necessary, etc?… Please explain…
I think podcasts are a great idea, one more place or opportunity to hear you. Pretty much as simple as that. Maybe the podcast can give you a chance to expand. More content, time and a chance to know you better.
Where will new up and coming air talent for Christian Radio come from?
I don’t know if there is a place for new talent to come from. There are also so very few radio jobs compared to what they’re used to be even five or 10 years ago. Maybe out of the podcast or YouTube world even though radio is a completely different animal than those two.
Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian air talent?
I think the biggest challenge to Christian radio or the on-air personalities is everyone is doing the same thing. It’s all “uplifting and positive, encouraging and frankly so boring. Life can be awesome and it can also be VERY messy. Good, bad, happy, sad. This is just for me personally, but since when can there not be humor in Christian radio? Uplifting and positive is great, but laughing so hard you blow coffee out your nose is great too…when was the last time you laughed listening to Christian radio? Sorry, I am done now, I will get off my box…maybe I will trip and fall when I get off and that will be funny…Ha!
Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?
Never really had heroes as far as radio goes. My dad was in radio for years, and he was one of the greats. Dick Sainte. He was a legend. I never imagined a career in radio, even when I started calling stations when I started out, I was just looking to get a laugh, which is exactly what I did when I was in school. Class clown ends up in front of a microphone, I think happened many, many times.