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10 Questions with ... Chris Lemke
August 23, 2005
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NAME:Chris LemkePOSITION:General Manager/Program DirectorSTATION:WCSG-FMMARKET:Grand Rapids/KalamazooCOMPANY:Cornerstone UniversityBORN:April 5, 196?RAISED:By wolves? Contrary to popular belief, no. Grew up in Muir, MI. That's just seven miles east of Ionia, which is 30 miles east of Grand Rapids.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Except for 8 weeks at WYGR-AM1530, it's been solely at WCSG since 1981, when I started as a part-time student worker. I've held almost every job a person can have here. Since 1987 thru last year I also worked with Right to Life Of Michigan on a freelance basis, producing their weekly five-minute radio program for broadcast around the state. I started what's now known as the GoodRadio.net forum back in 1996, and I've done some consulting work with other stations.
1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I'd always been fascinated with radio. Loved to listen to it, play deejay, hang around the jocks when they'd come to town to do a dance or wedding reception. My interest was piqued even more when I visited a country station while a freshman in high school. The engineer had to run an errand with my step-dad, so he showed me how to run the board (playing spots during a late night Tiger ballgame) and he let me at it for the 30-45 minutes they were out. I was truly smitten and never looked back.
2. What do you think is the most important topic facing the Music Business and Radio right now? Why?
I'm thinking the biggest issue right now facing us is how we stay relevant and respected in the mind of the consumer. Just because we have listeners doesn't mean we have either relevance or respect. We tend to adulterate ourselves with the quest for bigger and better, prostituting ourselves by capitalizing on a person's perception and pursuit of unattainable (or unsustainable) idealism instead of fostering a more holistic life that's lived well in present reality.
3. What does Christian Radio need to do in order to break through to a mass audience on a more consistent basis?
I think it goes back to what I just mentioned - relevance and respect. In my opinion, it seems we all know we're less than perfect, yet we also seem to be ashamed - or less than up front about presenting the absolutely perfect standard of living - Jesus Christ. In my opinion, we tend to patronize our troubles and turn Jesus into nothing more than a therapist or lawyer for our grief or defense. Once rescued, well, then we won't need him as much.
I also tend to think we as Christians may have forgotten what we were like as truly desperate people and that, if we were to see the real need, we'd cut through a lot of the peripherals and get to the heart of the matter. In essence, it's about living a simpler, more focused life. We all want it, but we tend to run from it at every opportunity for fear of missing the next greatest challenge. To me, is there any greater challenge than that of pursuing a focused life on the simplicity of Christ's message?
4. Can you be a boss and also a friend to your employees?
I think it's very difficult, but possible. It takes an incredible amount of patience and grace on both sides of the desk. I wrestle long and hard with some of the decisions that must be made. I've been down the path - even personified what it means to accomplish the mission at any expense, even the expense of a friendship. It isn't pretty. We've all been told how at the end of life most people wish they had more time for developing relationships - usually with family, but often times with friends. In the past two years, I've taken that retrospective look early and have committed to develop those enduring relationships that can withstand differences (and possible separation) regarding the advancement of the station's mission.
5. Who has had the biggest impact on these facets of your life: Personal, Professional and Spiritual? Why?
The strongest personal impact probably comes from two people: my dad, and my wife. My dad is a workaholic, as I am, but dad did instill from the get-go the whole concept of service. You do what you do the best you can do it for someone in need or for someone who otherwise couldn't do what you can. As for my wife - words fall far short of describing the incredibly positive impact she's had on my life. I am who I am and have done what's been done largely because of God's grace bringing us together and keeping us together over the past 20+ years.
Professionally speaking, there are way too many people to thank. I can look at each person on my team, and with each person with whom I see/speak on a regular basis and say, "By God's grace, you are actively involved in my life. Here's an example of how God used you to help make me more like Him. Thank you." I would, however, be remiss to not mention my boss and my dear friend, Lee Geysbeek. Through his trust and example, he has modeled Christ.
As far as a spiritual mentor, again, there are a lot of people, but three in particular that come to mind. I am indebted to Greg & Deb Schwab, my youth leaders who always believed in me and modeled Christ the Liberator - free from legalism and a license to live abundantly. Dr. Dan Stevens, now passed on, for his incredible teaching and example, daring me to ask the hard questions, daring me to trust when answers aren't readily found, and daring me to live in context of the bigger picture of life's ultimate mandate - to love my Savior. Lastly, Dr/Pastor John Frye for his many years of instruction and guidance, for challenging me to live boldly and take those risks that one can only take when Christ is truly leading the way.
6. Who is your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
Without a doubt, my favorite is Paul Harvey. The epitome of trust and the cornerstone of prep, condense and deliver. The one person I've never met but would love to do so before he hangs up the microphone.
7. What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
I have to say I have a lot of respect for my friends at KSBJ-FM in Houston, WMHK in Columbia, South Carolina and their sister station WCRM-FM in Charlotte, North Carolina, and most recently WPOZ-FM and their stations in Orlando/Central Florida. Tight programming and an incredible heart for the community and world at large.
8. If you could add any one full-time position to your budget, with no questions asked, what would it be?
I know it sounds absurd, and I'll probably get called in to see the boss on this one, but you asked. I'd probably hire a bartender for the staff. Sometimes, you just have to talk, or just be heard, or just think out loud without worrying about what someone else thinks. Hiring a bartender would certainly provide that outlet, and may help keep the peace around here.
9. What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of the Christian format's growth and changes?
This is going to sound so cliché', but it's true: my Bible, and friends, and life itself. I say this not as an excuse to write-off research or shun any conference or trade publication; I've benefited from these resources and I've certainly contributed my share to all the noise and paper, but at this point in my life, I've come to the conclusion that the greatest tool I can use is the combination of these three and God working thru them. I guess I say it this way because, if you strip away everything from radio - the music, the spots, the jingles, the contests - what's left? In my opinion, if radio is to flourish again, it's not because of a particular format or clock design, it's because the person behind the mic is truly communicating Relevantly, Interactively, Personally, and Locally. I suppose you'd call it, the "ripple effect." The best tools to accomplish that, in my opinion, is God speaking thru His Word and the love of His life.
10. What is your favorite passage of Scripture?
Exodus 33:14-17 - Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
Bonus Questions
Do you read everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What is your favorite reading material?
I read a lot of Dr Seuss and Sandra Boyton (I still have pre-schoolers). I do read the local paper, and, because I love to cook, I'll certainly read through Taste Of Home.
What's in your CD player right now?
Andrew Peterson's new single, "The Far Country." It's either that or the new Casting Crowns album, "LifeSong."
Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
Classic rock. Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion," Styx's "Renegade" or "Come Sail Away," Boston's "Long Time," Kansas's "Carry On My Wayward Son," yeah, I'll stop dead in my tracks for any one of those. Throw in some Bob Seger, Steve Miller Band, Foreigner, REO... Brings back fond memories of my trip to L.A. in April of '04. B93 the Arrow had 'em all playin' back to back.
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