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10 Questions with ... Stace Whitmire
April 21, 2008
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NAME:Stace WhitmireTITLE:Network Morning Co-Host/MDSTATION:WAY-FM/CHRSNMARKET:Nashville/SyndicatedCOMPANY:WAYFM Media Group/CHRSNBORN:Downey, CA on 12/15/68RAISED:So Cal & Washington State
Brief Career Synopsis:
Got my start at KPLU/Tacoma, WA. From there it was KFFM, KHHK and KXDD/Yakima, WA, then to Memphis, Portland, Maine, Tallahassee, Oshkosh, WI, and Wichita, KS, before coming to WAY-FM here in Nashville.
1) How did you get started in the business? Early mentors?
Radio was all I ever wanted to do! Early mentors? Jon Ballard, the late, great Bobby Simons (RIP) and all the great PDs who gave me a shot!
2) What attracted you to the Christian music business and radio? Why did you want to get involved?
WAY-FM just being so much like mainstream: great imaging, jocks that were real and the songs that spoke to my heart in a real way
3) What aspects of your job do you like the most?
Definitely being a very small part of a very big mission. Being able to be a part of something so much bigger than myself is a true gift, and I don't take that lightly.
4) And what do you find the most difficult?
Passing on a great song. I like to think that eventually we'll get to play them all. But there's only so many songs you can play in a day.
5) What does Christian radio need to do in order to break through to a mass audience on a more consistent basis?
Continue to be better. Challenge ourselves every day. Forget about what worked yesterday and think about what the possibilities are for now and tomorrow. We need to be innovators. Forget thinking outside the box, inside the box. Who needs a box at all? Let's make great radio and have fun while doing it!
6) What do you think is the most important topic facing the music business and radio right now?
People aren't buying CDs! In this iPod, cafeteria-style world we've gotten to the point where you can "value meal" your music! Soon no one will be able to record full-length CDs. I'm all for iTunes but if the artists can't make a living, the art will die. If the art dies, we do the mission a great disservice, and isn't that why we've signed on? Radio and records need to support the artists and support the mission as partners.
7) What's your current take on the music in general? Is it sounding better, worse or the same as one year ago?
The music is absolutely stellar. What's so incredible is that we have some of the most incredible artists who could easily be making serious bank in mainstream just by changing a few key words, yet they choose to stay true to their mission. That's so inspiring!
8) What is your most memorable on-air moment?
In Wichita, we got a call from the granddaughter of a Korean War vet who passed away just prior to 9/11. Because of security surrounding 9/11, his flag ceremony never happened. Dan Tooker, Colby Ericson and I arranged for McConnell AFB to have his widow presented with his flag and full honors on the air. It was one of the most humbling, rewarding and awe-inspiring moments, not just on the air but in my life. Also, any moment any St Jude's or CMN Miracle child has shared on the air with us. Pure courage. 'Nuff said.
9) Who has had the biggest impact on these facets of your life: Personal, Professional and Spiritual? Why?
My parents. Through the darkest of demons, my parents stayed together, loved us unconditionally, loved each other unconditionally and held it together.
10) If you could have any other job outside radio, what would it be and why?
I would love to work for St Jude's. I'm so passionate about their cause.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you read everything or nothing? Newspapers, magazines, books, etc.
Everything, absolutely
2) What music is in your stereo/on your iPod right now?
"The Very Best of Dire Straits" by Dire Straits; Steve Perry, "For the Love of Strange Medicine"; Little Texas, "Big Time"; Rushlow, "Rushlow"; Michael Johns, everything he's done on "American Idol" this season; Bruce Springsteen, "The River"; DecembeRadio, "Expanded Edition"; Eagles' "Greatest Hits"; Matthew West, "Something to Say"; Casting Crowns, "The Altar & The Door"; Skillet, "Comatose" on and on and on
3) Favorite place to visit/vacation:
Ocean Shores, WA
4) Favorite meal:
Stuffed bell peppers
5) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?
Survivorman, my cell phone and directions to where they're taping "Punk'd" because if anyone knows me, this would have to be some kind of reaaaalllly SICK JOKE. OUTSIDE BAD, INSIDE GOOD!
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