10 Questions with ... Al Skop

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Without a doubt, Al Skop has the most unusual gig in Christian radio. His workplace for the past 18 years, nestled in the heart of Manhattan, is the headquarters of nearly 200 satellite radio stations and its respective programmers, where he's programmed SiriusXM's only Contemporary Christian outlet, The Message since April 2007.

1. What has been your career path up to your present gig at SiriusXM?

I have always been involved in radio from the day after graduating high school. Having already been accepted to Siena College in Albany, NY, I reached out to their station, WVCR-FM asking if they needed any help. Little did I know, every college station needs a lot of extra help during the summer, so I was in! Later, jobs that actually paid money started across town in Albany, then Reading and Philadelphia, PA-back to Albany-then a few years outside of Washington, DC in Winchester, VA.

2. Do you recall a specific moment when you knew you were meant to be in radio?

The radio bug bit me early. My dad tells me that "radio" was the first word I asked him how to spell. A short time later, I was making "radio" in my bedroom into a flea-market tape recorder. It's pretty much the same today-except with satellites.

3. Conversely, did you endure a moment when you questioned if you were cut out for radio? What was that moment? How did you break through?

I can't say there was one moment, but I did know that the stereotypical nomadic life of a successful radio host wasn't for me. So I did start to wonder that if I didn't find something stable before a family came along I might have to transition into something else. Luckily, that's just about the time SiriusXM happened.

4. Were there on-air personalities who influenced your interest in radio growing up?

During my formative years in Albany, in the heyday of Top 40 radio, I was very grateful to WGFM morning show host, Lee Warner. He placated my weird desire to call the station every morning to do various bits and put me on the air. It was the summer of 1985, and if you listen to the airchecks I made of them, you can hear my voice fully change over the course of that 30-minute cassette.

5. How has your day-to-day SiriusXM work routine and environment most unique to previous radio jobs?

Being at a service that has almost 200 unique radio stations that work with each other rather than compete against each other. I love the fact that anyone can contribute ideas to any station. The collaborative environment here has always been quite inspiring.

6. What was the learning curve for you, going from programming terrestrial to satellite radio?

I'll always remember, after helping to build several radio stations before we had any subscribers, finally sitting down to do my first show. That's when it hit me that practically all the things that made up my show to that point wouldn't fly from this point forward. Time. Weather. Local happenings. I saw it as a (challenging) opportunity to find new ways to entertain listeners who were paying to listen to us. Same went for programming music, coaching the other hosts and imaging the stations. Once you take that leap, though, it's quite freeing.

7. How has satellite radio changed/evolved over your tenure at SiriusXM?

I started at Sirius before we even had any listeners, so things have obviously changed a lot. I love the fact that I started at a technology company and now work for an entertainment company. Sure, we still need the satellites in the sky, but it's nice not having them be the focus of the conversation anymore. I guess it's the same as the fact that nobody really talks about TV studios, cameras and transmission equipment.

8. What has been your radio-career highlight up to this point?

I'm grateful that it's hard to narrow that down to just one. Working on our Country music channels, I'd say every time I've gotten to interview or meet an "outsider" that crossed paths with the format has always been the most interesting, whether it's Kevin Costner, Steven Tyler, Don Henley, or even Rick Moranis (doesn't everyone remember his country album?!).

9. Can you pinpoint one radio-career moment that was most surreal to you?

Before we were fully staffed-up, many of us got to pinch-hit, interviewing people outside of our wheelhouse. For me, getting the chance to interview and produce a special for a new "Weird Al" Yankovic album was pretty surreal. The 13 year-old me that used to call into the Lee Warner show was elated!

10. Who are the Christian radio format's emerging acts that currently have your attention the most?

I am very excited to see Riley Clemmons live up to the potential I see in her in the coming years. I'll also be closely watching Cory Asbury's second single and beyond...you know, in a year or so, when "Reckless Love" comes down from the top of the charts!