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10 Questions with ... Patrick Green
March 17, 2014
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1. Brief history/synopsis
How much room do I have? I was born in Albuquerque but have lived all over the place. My dad was in the Air Force so we lived in New Mexico, Texas, Massachusetts and Japan through my childhood. I went to Texas Tech University where got a BA in Telecommunications. And I have worked in radio all over Texas and in Kansas and Michigan. I have been married to my lovely wife Cindy for almost 23 years (we were high school sweethearts). My oldest son Matt is a junior at Ferris State University in Michigan. My next son Josh is a high school senior and my daughter Cianna is a high school freshman.
2. What was it that made you "catch the bug" for radio? When did you realize that it was what you wanted to do for a living?
When I became a Christian as a teenager, my new friends got me hooked on Christian music. I always thought I would be in a Christian band but I have little musical talent. When I was in high school in Japan, I was asked to help get a Christian music show on the radio station on the base we lived on. But because I was a minor it never happened. God used that idea to direct me into Christian radio and I have been doing it for over 15 years now.
3. What's the most successful on-air bit/break you've ever been part of?
Wow. I can't think of just one. I have loved situations where listeners get into and interact with my on the air. Those times are the most successful and rewarding.
4. With the advent of "instant everything".....what do you do to show prep? How do you prepare?
I use a feed reader to collect stories for me (Feedly on my Chrome browser). I have news, music, Christian news, and more that I then sift through each day. It's a super easy way to get through a lot of items fast. I also use life as prep and try to include things that are happening around me and in our society as launching points.
5. What would you categorize as your greatest personal challenge in radio? What are you doing to overcome that?
I am not a very organized person. My desk is usually covered in papers, sticky notes, files, CD, folders. I really do know where most everything is. I have been working on being more organized.
6. Who are people that you look to as mentors/leaders? What is it about them that grabs & keeps your attention?
One would be my current boss, Michael Luskey. He gave me my first state in Christian Radio and believes enough in me to rehire me. He has always been a friend and someone I could go to with questions. Keith Sanderson at KMOC is another great encouragement to me and definitely someone who I look up to. Then both Al Ross and Jim McDermott are people that have been great sounding boards for ideas and encouragement too.
7. What do you believe is the single greatest factor in building audience share/cume? Why do you believe it's that important?
Knowing your audience. Not just numbers but people. I think numbers are a great tool but there is so much about the people that listen to a station that can't be quantified by numbers.
8. Most successful station promotion ever?
At a concert festival in Michigan we were looking for a way to bring people into our tent. We had a basket of 100 CD they could sign up to win. But they also got three tickets to spin a prize wheel for other prizes. The lines never stopped. We also arranged to have artists from the festival do an acoustic set in our tent. We had 10 artists/bands and the tent would overflow with people when they were playing.
9. What's the last book you read?
The Grace Truth Paradox by Randy Alcorn. I have read this book two or three times. It shows how Christians typically lean toward either grace or truth but that Christ personified both, 100%. And it challenges us to do the same. It has helped me to keep my eyes open to how to have more grace and truth in my life.
10. Radio 101....in 101 words or less, how would you guide/instruct/advise a radio programmer/air talent who wants to get better at their craft?
Don't be afraid to try new things. We have to push ourselves to get better. Be open to constructive criticism. Always ask questions. You can never ask too many questions. And if you still don't understand, ask again.
Bonus Questions
1. Most embarrassing moment on air?
I have tried to forget most of them. When I first got into Christian radio I was working on our traditional station. I was talking about the extravagant Neiman Marcus Christmas items and happened to mention that they had a car with a wet bar! After I said it I sat there thinking the phone would ring from one of our conservative board members. It didn't happen but I just knew it would.
2. Favorite cereal, favorite cartoon character and favorite fast food choice?
Fruit Loops (don't eat it much anymore) Bugs Bunny (what's up Doc?) Sonic's footlong chili cheese dog!
3. You've got one last live break on air....and then the radio will go silent. What do you say, and why?
I would share about faith in Christ! Because if it is the last thing I say, I want it to be the most important thing I could say on the air.
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