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10 Questions with ... Mike Schlote
September 19, 2006
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NAME:Mike SchloteTITLE:PD/MD/Host of 'Mike at the Mic in the Morning'STATION:KZZQMARKET:Des MoinesCOMPANY:Positive Impact Media, Inc.BORN:Yes, 1969RAISED:Beloit, Wisconsin
1) What was your first job in radio? Who were your early influences?
I worked Saturday overnights at KCCK "Your Jazz Connection" in Cedar Rapids, IA. Listening to WQFL in Rockford, IL, as a child had a huge influence on me. From thinking that the bands are in the studio singing all the songs that I was listening to, to counting on the station to be there as a friend when family life was dissolving. Christian radio had a very direct and positive influence on how God developed me as a person and how I developed as a personality on the air.
2) What do you think is the most important topic facing the music business and radio right now? Why?
My answer is directed specifically toward Christian stations. I think the thing that stations SHOULD have as the most important topic or issue is purpose. I think a lot of stations are not clearly defined as to why they even exist. No station can be strong without a clear definition of why God entrusted them with a radio station. Specifically, what vision has God given your station to achieve? What group of people has God given you a passion to reach through radio? I think several of us need to step back and make sure that we understand God's unique purpose for our station in the market. If there are multiple stations with a Christian message in the same market, that vision needs to be even more clearly defined. A station that's given a passion for encouraging Christians most likely is not given the same vision/passion for reaching out to non-Christians. Two different purposes. Two different techniques. Neither one is greater than the other, but both need perfect clarity on why they exist.
3) What does Christian radio need to do in order to break through to a mass audience on a more consistent basis?
I might be playing with semantics here, but I believe a Christian station should only target the "masses" IF that is its mission and purpose. I know that sounds funny to say considering the common thought is "of course we want everybody to listen to our station." Here's what I mean. Radio stations that are specifically targeting the existing body of Christ are not likely to reach the "masses" simply by design and definition. Their specific mission is to be an alternative for the Christian. The "masses" have already been filtered down to the few. (I know God can and does use church-targeted radio to reach non-Christians. I'm simply discussing formatics and purpose). Christian radio stations whose mission/purpose is to reach "masses" of everyday people in a certain demographic, whether Christian or not, need to execute their on-air delivery with a quality that is equal to or a cut above their secular counterparts. Masses are not often reached by sounding like the "corporate church of the air." Masses are reached by sounding like a neighbor whose living life on the same spinning blue ball as the rest of us.
It's not always the numbers of listeners that defines the success of a Christian radio station. It's the effectiveness in reaching the people God called you to reach that defines success. So, the mission/purpose must be clearly defined and the execution of that mission must reflect the target of that mission with excellence.
4) What do you like best about your job? Least?
Hosting "Mike at the Mic in the Morning." I'm not necessarily a fan of watching people shut their lights off to go to bed at the same time as I turn mine on to get up, but there is nothing better than knowing that you have a part in making someone's day a little better in the morning. Helping people smile and focus on what is good in the world is priceless.
I suppose the thing I like the least about my job is not having enough time to effectively accomplish all the tasks at hand. Having a small staff sure can dilute some of the focus and time spent on each area of the station.
5) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as say, six months ago? Better than it was? The same?
If we are talking only about music delivered to Christian stations, I think it is VERY good. In fact, I have always thought it was good. I think a lot of people feel that it can't be as good because it's "Christian" and, therefore, it must be sub-par. That's the spirit! It must be fun going to work everyday thinking your product stinks. There is such a huge variety of quality music to fill the music libraries of most every format of Christian radio.
I don't think music quality has improved in the last six months. (I am assuming "quality" means better production, performers, etc.) I think there are some musicians and producers who are and always have been outstanding. I know I am taking this a bit seriously, but after having been in this industry since 1993, I have some pretty clear thoughts on this. There seems to be an underlying assumption that we are always trying to catch up (with talent, style, quality, etc.). I guess I am just not allowing that to be my approach to the format I'm in. If music is that bad, I don't add it! Many people say, "Yeah, but did you hear the music in the 80s or 90s?" Um, yep. Yep, I did. Music in every format of radio sounded different then. Not necessarily worse, just different. Styles change. Decades or genres of music can't be written off as poor simply because it is a style you don't care for or didn't grow up with. Music with a Christian message is very, very good right now...whatever the format.
6) If you were just starting out in radio today, but you knew what you know now, would you continue forward?
Oh yeah. Assuming that I would grow as much in those following 13 years, I'd be twice as smart today about radio. Can you imagine my "10 Questions With..." then!? There is certainly an innocent excitement at the beginning of ones career, but I have found that maturity comes in knowing that as you grow, you know less than you thought you did at the beginning of your career. Beware of young programmers who know everything.
7) If you could have any job outside the music business, what would it be?
I would love to work in the field of aviation. I've been a plane freak ever since I was a child. In fact, the first dream that I can remember is Winnie the Pooh and me flying in a helicopter.
8) Any funny/favorite artist run-ins?
I was broadcasting in Nashville during GMA once and a particular female singer was in my studio for an interview. She looked up and saw another female singer looking inside to see what was going on. My guest artist introduced me to this other artist by saying, "This girl can sing her butt off," which is something that I had always told my guest. A bit later we (my guest and I) were waiting for an elevator in the lobby. The doors opened and there was barely enough room for anybody, but we thought we'd try to make it work. Fortunately, this artist was already my friend, and I leaned over to her and said, "If you'd start singing, your butt would fall of and we'd fit just fine." Then we got on the elevator. She was laughing so hard she was crying, yet the rest of the elevator was silent. It was a moment I will cherish forever.
9) What is your favorite passage of Scripture?
Genesis 8:1, "But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded." Not your typical "favorite" verse, I know, but this verse reminded me during a pretty intense walk of faith that God had not forgotten about me or my family once we took that step into the unknown. God does not forget the faithful and obedient. I love that verse.
10) What is the most precious memory of your life so far?
Marrying my wife Karen and the birth of our three daughters and our son. My best memories start when I get home.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
I love 80's pop/rock and rock: Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, Toto, Chicago, Boston, Heart, Styx, Night Ranger, Loverboy, Eagles, etc. Stacked vocals, baby! I also love Doo-Wop. Did I mention southern gospel yet? Alright fine, I just love music with talent! I appreciate what I don't have!
2 ) Any hobbies or extra curricular activities?
Remote controlled helicopters are a blast once you learn not to crash. My son Mitchell and I love flying ours. I am also a huge fan of No. 17 Matt Kenseth and NASCAR. We were raised just 40 minutes from each other (referring to Kenseth, not Mitchell).
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