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10 Questions with ... Ken Farley
May 22, 2006
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NAME:Ken FarleyTITLE:Founder/OwnerCOMPANY:Hit Music Research & AmpedCreativeFORMATS:Primarily serving Christian CHR,AC, & RockLOCATION:Brentwood, TNBORN:Brooklyn, NYRAISED:Oklahoma City, OK
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started out back in 1985 as a volunteer at KOKF/Oklahoma City. In 1986 I was hired on part-time and in 1987 I was upped to PD. I maintained that position at KOKF until I left the beginning of 2000 to work at ForeFront Records as their Director of Promotions. ForeFront did some restructuring back in 2002, and I was one of the employees let go during that time of transition. I was the programming consultant for WCFL/Chicago for six months after that, and in 2003 I started up Hit Music Research with the goal of providing affordable online music research for Christian radio. In 2004 I took over operations of AmpedCreative (home of the Weekend 22, The Weekend Top 20 Countdown and The ZRock Radio Revolution) and I'm also the programming consultant for WNAZ/Nashville.
1) What made you want to get into the music business? Early mentors? First job?
Back in the mid 80s' I attended a Degarmo & Key concert that rocked my world. It was then that I realized how much of an impact music could make in a person's life. Soon after I had the chance to volunteer at KOKF on the weekends, not knowing at the time, that Christian radio would become my full-time career path and calling in life.
2) What do you think is the most important topic facing the Music Business and Radio right now? Why?
How to continue to be relevant and financially stable in the midst of everything else competing for people's attention, interests, and their disposable income. Whether you're in this for business purposes and/or ministry what we're doing has got to be relevant and stand out above the clutter, in order to have a chance to thrive and make an impact. Everyone including record labels, artists, concert promoters, radio stations etc. are having to re-evaluate how they go about conducting business and the relationships they have with one another.
3) What does Christian Radio need to do in order to break through to a mass audience on a more consistent basis?
I think Christian radio has made great strides over the past several years in this area, but obviously it's still a wide-open field out there with millions of lives still to be reached. Obviously doing everything to your best ability with excellence and professionalism will help, but I think it will also require some visionary folks willing to take some risks in terms of programming and presentation to continue to widen our market share. Taking full advantage of available technology is important too. I find HD radio very interesting because not only does it give Christian broadcasters more opportunity to put various forms of Christian programming on the air, it also give mainstream broadcasters that opportunity to do so as well. And as is says in the Bible, whether Christ is preached out of humility or selfish-gain. His message is still gonna get out there. That's cool with me.
4) What are the greatest challenges you face in your position?
Making sure I'm staying focused, know what my priorities are, and am doing everything possible to serve my clients to the best of my ability. Since I'm juggling several different things between my responsibilities with Hit Music Research and AmpedCreative I've got to have a short and long term game plan in place but at the same time be prepared to take on those unexpected challenges and opportunities that come my way any given day of the week.
5) What are the greatest rewards in your position?
Having the opportunity to be a support to Christian radio and the Christian music industry. I want to see this genre of music and the radio stations out there playing it, be the best that they can be as they serve their respective communities. I feel like in some small way, through the various research services and syndicated programming we provide, we're hopefully complimenting what everyone is doing out there on the frontlines.
6) What makes your company unique?
With Hit Music Research we are here to exclusively serve the Christian music industry. There are some great research companies out there who work with clients from various genres of music but I've always felt like we should stay focused within the Christian music industry and do our best to serve them by providing affordable online music research. And with AmpedCreative, we're probably one of the few independent syndication companies around. Since we're not owned or operated by a big corporation it's allowed us to do some things differently yet still be able to grow as we go along. Between The Weekend 22 (CHR), The Weekend Top 20 Countdown (AC), The Zrock Radio Revolution (Rock), Music News, and our partnership with The Vibe Radio Network (Hip-Hop/R&B), our programs are airing in over 250 markets across the country every week. That's a testimony to what God will do with the little guy trying to make a difference in the midst of a world of giants. I'm just thankful that He allows me to be a part of it all.
7) In our highly competitive music field, where it seems more and more that every artist needs something special to get paid attention too what is the most commendable effort you've seen made by an up & coming act?
I think the most commendable effort an up and coming act (or any act for that matter) can do is to simply create great songs and music that truly connect with those who hear it. Sure, there are plenty of things you can do to get someone's attention to at least check out the song or give it a chance on the radio, but at the end of the day, if for whatever reason the song doesn't connect with listeners, it probably won't matter. Of course the on-going debate between everyone is what constitutes a great song? That's always going to be subjective but I think everyone would agree they want to put their best foot forward at reaching people through the music.
8) Who has had the biggest impact on these facets of your life: Personal, Professional and Spiritual? Why?
Personally, my wife. In many ways we're a lot different which always stretches and challenges me to look at things from a different perspective besides my own. So she keeps me in check, which is a good thing. Professionally, I'd have to say I learned a lot about implementing and incorporating ministry into what I do from my former GM at KOKF, Greg Griffin. My former boss at ForeFront Records, Allan Hardin, also taught me a lot about leadership. Spiritually, my pastor, Kraig Wall, has challenged me to continually assess why I do what I do as I pursue God's calling on my life. He's helped me focus on how important it is for me to have a strong relationship with Christ and how this directly affects my personal and professional life.
9) Best advice for younger, less experienced future music industry execs?
Take advantage of every opportunity you have to learn all you can and demonstrate to those you work with, your abilities and potential to get the job done well. Don't be afraid to ask questions, take a few calculated risks on occasion, and be willing to go the extra mile. Try to focus on having a few skill-sets that you do extremely well, but look for ways to grow in other areas along the way, and learn to multi-task if you don't already. Always be honest, full of integrity, and do your best to keep your word. And, if at all possible, never burn any bridges because you never know who you're going to end up working for down the road, or who might end up wanting to work for you. Be prepared for change, don' get discouraged when times are tough, and remember that God has everything in control and He's our true source for everything we have in the first place.
10) What is it that motivates you to be 'All You Can Be?'
The fact that God has equipped us all with certain gifts and talents that can be used to share His love with others. Even if I weren't in Christian radio, I still believe God gives us His best and expects us to do likewise. No matter what our occupation may be, we can still make a difference.
Bonus Questions
1) What is your favorite quote?
When you're faithful with the little things, God will make you faithful of much.
2 ) What's in your CD player right now?
NEEDTOBREATHE "Daylight" What a record! Definitely will be in my Top 10 for the year. Also checking out "Introducing Ayiesha Woods" from Ayiesha Woods. What a debut release for her too!
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