10 Questions with ... Barry Armstrong & Mike Weston

1. So....I hear there is a changing of the guard of sorts going on at The Journey. What's happening?

Mike: Barry Armstrong hired me as PD just as The Journey was launching as a new format. From the beginning we shared a vision of what The Journey should be. I knew when the time came, he would like me to take over as GM. Barry is an awesome friend and mentor and I'm very grateful for what he has done to help birth The Journey. Now I get to build on a great foundation.

Barry: When I accepted the GM role in the Summer of 2014, my time window was 2 to 3 years. One of my objectives was to hire a PD who could be my successor. Mike's experience runs deep and he has worked with some of the best in the business. I can't imagine a better transition scenario for The Journey.

2. Barry, what are your plans moving forward?

Aside from more naps and time with our grandkids, I will assist some favorite ministries and stay engaged in the CCM radio world. Already discussing coaching/consulting projects and fundraising gigs.

3. The Journey went through a pretty major format change, moving from teaching/preaching to all music. What advice do you have for stations considering similar changes?

Barry: The station launched some 33 years ago as extension of a church and Bible college, so teaching and preaching was a perfect fit.

In many ways it is easier to start new than to change. (I've done both!) There was a solid core of listeners who had been waking up to J. Vernon McGee and finishing their day with Night Sounds or Unshackled... some for decades. Disappointed listeners were pretty vocal. We determined in advance to listen, not defend; point them to other resources and treat them with respect. It took about 90 days for the positive response to outweigh the negative.

My advice to stations planning a format transition is to plan carefully and when you are ready, transition quickly. Also, make sure your stakeholders (board, leadership, employees) have fully embraced the vision.

4. What are some of the greatest accomplishments as you look back on the last 2 years?

Mike: I think the most amazing thing has been seeing The Journey meet a need in the various areas our signals serve. We have (9) full power signals and (16) translators in VA and NC. It has been a joy to connect with listeners looking for a unique 'home' where they can be who they are, regardless of where they are on their own personal journey. It's all about the God stories that we continue to hear. It's an amazingly rewarding experience to be a part of the birth and then growth of a fresh vision.

Barry: For me, it was watching God assemble and grow an amazing team. Their passion and creativity is truly remarkable. I know I will miss the daily interaction with those crazy kids.

5. Mike, what do you see as you look forward to 2017?

I see tremendous opportunity to continue to expand on what The Journey has already been and accomplished. Now that we are beginning to crawl, we want to start the process of developing as a team, reaching out to the community and then, hopefully, being an encouragement to the Christian radio industry, whatever form that takes.

6. How does the partnership with Liberty University mesh with the mission of The Journey?

Mike: Liberty University supported the launch of The Journey in so many varied and powerful ways. They are one of our biggest cheerleaders. We want to do our best every day to say 'thank you' by being the best we can be, by representing what LU already means to so many.

Barry: They allowed us to brand The Journey as its own entity and we have access to amazing resources. That said, we are also challenged to stand on our own. Personally, working for LU has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.

7. Mike, you went through a big life change of your own several years ago at another station, didn't you?

Mike: I had the privilege of being a part of the team at WMHK in Columbia SC for almost 14 years. That station, as you know, was sold and we all went our separate ways. We were a very tight team and built amazing memories together. Some of the things we were able to accomplish in the community were astounding. That team stays in touch on FB. Not only are we all close friends, but all our families share in that closeness. I believe we will be friends forever.

8. What's it like being in a market with another local CCM station? (Spirit FM) Are there any pitfalls or special considerations? (Editor's note, in full disclosure, Barry was the founder and a driving force behind the building success of Spirit FM, before "retiring" the FIRST time in 2013).

Mike: We appreciate the work that organization has done in our market for many years. Lots of lives have been touched in many ways. We do not try to compete. They do what they do and we do what we do. We have similar visions but different strategies. It's a win-win for the listeners who have two great choices, when it comes to CCM.

Barry: It has required heart work. My wife Linda and I invested our lives into Spirit FM for over 20 years. We fought the zoning board. We dug the holes for the guy anchors. We stored the transmitter in our garage. We were the first morning team. I love that God allowed us to have that experience and we are grateful for the people and God's supply over those many years. We love that they continue to innovate and grow.

Moving across town was, frankly, a surreal experience. I would never have dreamed that I'd get another at bat. We even reprised the Barry and Linda morning show for a few months until we could get a new team in place. Who could have imagined?

One major objective was to find ways to be distinct, to carve our own niche. Of course, both stations have a lot of unduplicated real estate, but we are in each other's back yards. We knew from the outset that our real competition was ourselves. We had to be a better radio station this week than we were last week. (Mike will continue to do that far better than I could.)

If we adopt a station Vs. station mentality, it becomes about winning and losing. I don't want my joys or disappointments based on someone else's success or failure.

9. Mike, Tell us about the current staff at The Journey. Any current needs, future plans?

Mike: We are fully staffed at this point but future growth is, of course always a possibility. I have an amazing team here. Where we have been is fantastic but where we are going to go? Who knows? But I know it will be wonderful. With all the changes ahead we are going to be working on several different types of team building strategies so we can grow and excel together. If we love and care for each other, so many other things will take care of themselves.

10. What's been one of the most interestingly eye-opening experiences during your time with The Journey?

MIke: I think one of the best things we've done so far is the manner in which we found our new morning co- host, Leigh Detzel. We conducted a 'send us a video and show us why you want to be on the radio' contest. That's how we found Leigh. She is one of the freshest, most gifted on air people I've ever had the joy of coaching. I don't know if we would have found Leigh if we had taken a more traditional approach to finding and hiring someone.

Barry: Watching some of the audition videos sent during our Morning Co-Host Open Auditions, I remember asking: "Is that what they think we do?"

1. Favorite Bible verse, life verse?

Mike: Proverbs 3:5,6. Bottom line, I think it's important to make plans in life. Life is a gift from God and we should take making plans seriously. BUT, God orders the steps of each of us. Though I have not always initially loved His 'script' for my life, it's always ended up being better than anything I would have written for myself.

Barry: Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

2. What are the most important things you focus on to attract new listeners?

Mike: Getting the music architecture right, developing and coaching great talent, and branding The Journey consistently and powerfully.

Barry: People (inside and outside of the station), product, promotion.

3. If you could change anything in our CCM/Music industry, what would it be?

Mike: I don't know that I would 'change' anything. I would just say to the record companies, please don't stop developing new and fresh talent and give them the freedom to be who God made them to be. And to radio, don't be afraid to take calculated, strategic 'risks' on those artists. In the digital music age, we need to try to be leaders, not followers

Barry: I can't come up with one thing, or even a list of things. I love everything about what we get to do. I love the results of what we get to do. What a privilege to serve in this "industry."