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10 Questions with ... Mike Carrier
September 16, 2013
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1. Brief history/synopsis
Born and raised in Windsor Locks, CT - home of Bradley Int Airport. Great small town to live and raise kids. Graduated Windsor Locks High School class of '86.
2. What was it that made you "catch the bug" for radio?
Honestly, it's been in my blood since childhood. At around 5- 6 years old, I used to pretend I was a radio DJ, with two record players side-by-side in my room, I would play the 45's, and announce the song title and artist of every one. I had every '45 record memorized. And they were up and down my arm.
3. When did you realize that it was what you wanted to do for a living?
I started winning the on-air contests for rock station WCCC - Hartford. When I picked up my prizes each week, and the receptionist who I knew got wind that radio was in my blood, she recommended that I start interning at the station. So I signed up and worked for the top personalities of the day there, "The Litch" and Bill Schultz. To this day, I credit these guys with helping shape who I am today. Ever since I started there, I have never looked back. Radio has been a great career for me for over 25 years.
4. What's the most successful on-air bit/break you've ever been part of?
At WNCB radio (Duluth/Twin Cities) the big football rivalry was the Packers vs the Vikings. So a good friend of mine Kid Raider from WORQ (who is still there to this day) and I did a live simulcast on each others station talking about the game and having fun on our respective live pm drive shows. It was a blast. Also on KAFC Radio (Alaska's Z 93.7 where I am today), we did a $10,000 home makeover contest with a local contractor. Lots of fun getting people in involved in that contest. Another funny one was again on WNCB radio where we did a live, off-the-cuff radio parady of Beavis and Butthead - making them Christians and calling them "Beaver and Blockhead" on the nighttime show called "The Nighttime Revolution". We had people calling in hysterics. Good times!
5. With the advent of "instant everything".....what do you do to show prep? How do you prepare?
Honestly, social media is very helpful, I subscribe to a few show prep services, and such, but having a two person PM drive show is helpful in that both of us try to stay on top of relevant topics that are impacting lives of our listeners right now, making sure we keep local connections and references intact, and speaking encouragement to the body of believers at the same time. Hollywood and such is ok, but overdone. As Christian radio, we need to be different, so we tend to talk more about family issues, and real life stuff that comes our way. How does it connect with the Bible? How can we live out this life in a world that is going more and more crazy? How can we have more Jesus in our lives? That last question is part of a main thrust here at Z 93.7 (KAFC), with the purpose of helping people become closer with their savior as they learn how to implement such things as forgiveness, repentance, confession, giving love to others, ect - to get more Jesus in their lives.
6. What would you categorize as your greatest personal challenge in radio?
With the advent of social media, the ever so present invasion in EVERY market of the big networks, and other sources of music providers being out there, how do we keep top-of-mind awareness of our LOCAL station in our market?
7. What are you doing to overcome that challenge?
Emphasizing the benefits of local radio. Where do you go to to hear about local concerts and businesses that are doing stuff for the kingdom? LOCAL RADIO. Where can you hear about local church events and ways to get plugged into the community? LOCAL RADIO. Where can you hear about local weather, traffic, sports, and news? LOCAL RADIO. Where can you hear local personalities talking about stuff that relates to their community? LOCAL RADIO. Where can you go to you're your thoughts and even have an impact on what music is played? LOCAL RADIO. I love the fact that it's not a one size fits all mentality with local Christian radio. Locality is important and should trump over a national network any day. We just have to work harder to incorporate social media and other tools to connect with the audience to remind them of these things.
8. Who are 3 people that you look to as mentors/leaders? What about them grabs & keeps your attention?
I've always admired Jim "Kid Raider", Mike Couchman, and Rick Welke.
They think outside of the box, and look not at what is happening now, but look to what is happening in the future so that they are not left behind.
9. Favorite cereal, favorite cartoon character?
Remember "Raisins, Rice, and Rye?" that commercial always comes to my mind about the three men with thick accents in a boat saying "rrrrainsins, rrrrice, and rrrrye" - yeah, that cereal. Bugs Bunny has always been a favorite - but for more recnet cartoons, I always liked "American Dragon - Jake Long" on Disney Channel.
10. You've got one last live break on air....and then the radio will go silent. What do you say, and why?
Love God, Love People, and Take Time to Listen. It's how I end off each show.
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