What is your life verse and why?
Philippians 4: 6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything. But in everything, pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Like most of us who are called to this line of work; I love God, I love people…and, I spin a lot of plates. So, when something doesn’t go right, or gets missed, I tend to beat myself up over it. Having memorized these two verses from the Paul – written while he was IN PRISON – has been really helpful for me.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
After sleeping…I would go play Pickleball with my wife, Kerry, and our friends. Since turning 50, PB has replaced tennis as my favorite participation sport. Like tennis, Kerry’s better than me, of course!
Would you rather be forced to sing along or dance to every single song you hear?
Sing along! I wouldn’t say I had a ‘Stage Mom,’ but I was on a stage in musicals, bands, etc., from second-grade forward. That helped me – as I became an on-air personality – as I have never experienced ‘stage-freight’ on the radio or in-person. But, if you ask me to dance I’ll freeze up!
What do you remember most about your first job?
My first job was at a two-station cluster in Terre Haute, Indiana – in the 1980’s – owned by the Oak Ridge Boys. I learned how to communicate and entertain from future national talents Frosty Stilwell, Bubba Clem (“Bubba the Love Sponge”), Kerry Gray, Rob Youngblood, and others, who all worked at the stations at that time. Tim Nelson and I were the Christians on the staff – so, when they flipped one station to CCM, they gave us: 1) a new studio, 2) Brad Burkhart as a consultant, and 3) free reign to launch the new format. We had a blast!
Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
A couple years back, my wife, Kerry, shared her bucket list of Dream Destinations with me. It included ten places she’d like to see. So far, we’ve checked off the Grand Canyon, Italy, and fall foliage in Nova Scotia. Next up – a good view of the Northern Lights.
What was your favorite age growing up?
It’s hard to beat being too young to know anything was wrong in the world. So, I’d say, ‘pre-teen.’
If you could magically become famous, would you want to?
I used to think, “Yes! Who wouldn’t!” Then I got to know someone who had been at the top of the ‘fame and wealth’ world. He shared how he dreaded the moment someone would recognize him because they only saw the characters he played and the money he had. He’d lost his ability to trust anyone. So, today, I’d say, “no.” (That’s also a good reason not to play the Lottery!)
Would you say you’re more of an extrovert or an introvert?
An introvert with some embarrassing extrovert tendencies (…if that’s a thing!).
What’s your favorite ice cream topping?
Just one, huh? Toffee!
What was the last TV show you binge-watched?
I tried watching some Netflix shows but found myself struggling with the yucky feeling I had. So, I’d say the last show I binged–watched was: “Going RV.” I’m not a camper, I don’t want to buy an RV…but, I love counting the clichés those silly people say about what they must have in their RV!
Are you into podcasts? If so, what is your favorite?
I rarely make it through more than one or two episodes from the same show/host. Although, Meredith Foster’s, “The Unfolding” keeps my attention. But, I typically gravitate to leadership and sports podcasts – based upon my mood and time.
Dave Gordon
General Manager / Life 88.5 (KJNW)
CMB Member Since 2013
daveg@life885.com
Life 102.5 has a heart for Madison! For the 4
Spirit 92.9 continued its commitment of blessing the central Minnesota community through intentional service projects. As the pandemic affected another year, station listeners rose to the challenge of uplifting and encouraging those feeling loss, loneliness, or burnout. Thanks to the help of generous listeners and business partners, Spirit 92.9 raised more than $8,000 in an online tip jar that blessed the staff at 19 local restaurants returning to work full time with huge tips during the Big Tip promotion. The restaurant workers were grateful for the visibility and appreciation. Numerous area teachers nominated by their students and families received special honor at the end of the school year with flowers and $500 VISA gift cards as part of “Thank A Teacher” organized by Spirit 92.9. In the fall, Spirit 92.9 partnered with two local ministries and provided free holiday meals to the community. During the ‘More Than A Meal’ event, the station worked with community members who donated enough to provide 6,000 meals and give help to people in need. Station team members also prepared and served meals together at the local homeless mission. At Christmastime, 11 community members wrote Spirit 92.9 and shared the story of someone they believed deserved some extra joy due to personal hardships. The individuals received $1000 to bless that person during Spirit 92.9’s Share The Joy promotion. Phone calls were made to hundreds of listeners to offer prayer and encouragement. Prayer support and a personal response is offered all year long.
Jim Campbell, Founder & Network President of Radio Training Network, Inc. began his radio career in commercial radio in Tennessee in 1964. In 1966 he moved his family to Lakeland, Florida to attend college, and upon graduation he joined the staff at First Assembly of God Church where he and the church launched in the mid 1970s the first Contemporary Christian Radio Station in the nation, WCIE-FM. The station grew in both market impression and influence not just in Lakeland, but around the country inspiring others to follow Jim’s lead. In 1989 Jim left the church and founded Radio Training Network, Inc. (RTN) and over the next 30+ years, he oversaw the acquisition and development of 40+ stations plus translators. With 130 team members, RTN stations serve the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Missouri. These stations are well recognized in their respective markets thanks to the servant leadership of the staff, aggressive marketing, and a commitment to a strong emphasis on Jesus first. At present RTN has some two million listeners each week on air and approximately the same number online.
Andrea Kleid is a 24-year veteran of radio and records. She began her career working in Christian radio at WNLT in Cincinnati, and then moved onto WAY-FM in West Palm Beach working in programming and promotions. Her next stop took her to JOY-FM in Tampa where she served as the Promotions Director. In 2004, Andrea moved to Nashville to begin her music industry career in radio promotion under Grant Hubbard at Capitol CMG. In 2008, Andrea became the Vice President of Promotion at Word Label Group where she led one of the most successful and influential radio promotion teams in the Christian music industry. Through her signature brand of honesty, passion for Christian music, and focus on relationships, Andrea developed a reputation for successfully launching new artists’ careers including for KING and COUNTRY, NEEDTOBREATHE and Francesca Battistelli. This year, Andrea celebrates her fifth year as the President of her own company, Boxer Poet. An advocate for both radio and artists, Andrea continues to zealously host conversations around further representation for women and people of color on Christian radio.
Jason Sharp has a rich history with CCM radio and leadership. His early years at WONU/Chicagoland and The Bridge/Delaware gave flight to his passion for great programming and innovative promotions. As Program Director of WCQR/Johnson City and eventually the network PD for Positive Alternative Radio, Jason’s influence grew across the industry. In 2007, Jason joined the team at Northwestern Media as Program Director and then Station Manager of KTIS, Minneapolis/St Paul. In 2015, Jason furthered his formal education and earned his master’s degree in organizational leadership. Applying his leadership knowledge and skills to work, he now serves as Senior Vice President of Broadcasting at Northwestern Media’s 23 stations in 14 markets across ten states that service 1.5 million listeners each week. Jason also served Christian Music Broadcasters, first as a charter member and eventually as the lead of CMB’s educational track at Momentum for more than ten years. He then served as the organization’s board chairman from 2017-2020. Jason continues to inspire others within Christian media toward excellence and compassion through a Christ-centered attitude, education, and practical application.
In 1972, while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Orlando, Johnny Stone dreamt of a second kind of “air force,” that of radio. He took an overnight position at WDIZ-FM, the station where Z88.3 now stands. In the past 50 years of his career, Johnny’s work and personality raised the bar for other programmers in markets ranging from New York City, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Diego, Tampa, Atlanta, Tucson, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. During his stint as Program Director and Morning Show host at Star 99.1 New York, his team won the NAB Crystal Radio Award and CMB Station of the Year. Presently, Johnny serves as afternoon host with his wife, Stacey, at 91.9 WGTS in Washington D.C. winner of the 2021 NAB Marconi Award for Religious Station of the Year. Owner of StoneStudios, LLC. and as a 22-year veteran in Christian media, Johnny mentored several on-air talents. Today, along with his on-air role at WGTS, he mentors college students at CMBU, teaching and modeling the belief that “you have to win in the hallways to win on the airwaves.”
Lisa Williams was called to Christian radio while praying in 1990. She walked into KCVO in Camdenton, Missouri and started on the air that same week. Over the past 32 years, Lisa served in various roles in on-air, programming, fundraising, and station management at radio stations and networks including K-LOVE, Z88.3, Star 99.1, KCVO, and KCWN. As an on-air personality, Lisa earned several number one ratings in several markets and was the recipient of three industry awards. Lisa now serves as the Network Talent Coach for Northwestern Media, owner of 23 stations in 14 markets across ten states that service 1.5 million listeners each week. While at Northwestern, Lisa hosted the nationally syndicated show Life with Lisa Williams from 2016-2021. She stepped away from the show to focus on coaching more than 90 on-air talents, encouraging and nurturing them to shine the light of Christ through excellent radio. When she’s not coaching talent, Lisa helps stations raise money for their operations. She also hosts a Facebook group for women on-air in Christian radio called GodsRadioGirls and helps facilitate their annual retreat.