10 Questions with ... Brandi Lanai

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Just try to find someone who brings more light and life to both her radio audience and peers than Brandi Lanai. In her 15th year at radio, the kind-hearted and jovial morning show host and MD at KSGN/Riverside leads anything but a typical life, on or off-air, which makes for one fascinating life story. Here, she shares just the tip of her proverbial iceberg.

1. What is the career path that's taken you to your current gig at KSGN? Was it always part of the plan to program music at the station? How did you transition into that?

My path into radio was a bit unconventional. I was working as a customer service representative for a major utility company when my supervisor noticed a lot of the customers complimenting me on my voice. She said, "I think a new career is being born in you." So I decided to pair my journalism background with radio, and started doing news, traffic, and weather for some LA stations. KSGN/Riverside was one of those stations. I decided to volunteer as a street team member at KSGN when the PD (Scott Michaels) recognized my name as their traffic lady and offered me a shot at an in-house news gig. I sent him a demo, and he called me in for an interview. After being grilled by Scott and Art Garza, they offered me the spot. From there, I pursued openings as they became available within KSGN. I went from morning news to mid-days, to Music Director, and I'm currently half of the morning show while still wearing the MD hat.

2. Who and/or what most influenced you to pursue radio?

Honestly, when I found out that I could talk on the radio everyday and encourage people to take one step closer to Jesus I was ALL IN!

3. Can you think of a particular moment when you wondered if radio wasn't particularly for you? Conversely, what about your job has served as confirmation that you're doing what you're purposed to be doing-at least in this season?

Every time I have a coaching session with John Frost or Tommy Kramer, I wonder if I'm in over my head in this radio thing! But then I think about Giovanni, the 9 year-old boy who said he likes listening to me because I'm kind and I pray for people and my heart just melts and I think, "Okay, God, maybe you are using me-maybe I'm in the right place. Here I am, USE ME!"

4. As a female, you are a rare breed as a programmer in a prominently-male industry. As a black female programmer, you're an even rarer individual in a largely-white industry. What is that like? And has there been anything particularly interesting--or even difficult--navigating the industry from your situation?

Not going to lie, it can be frustrating. Being told by men all the time what women really want...but that's basically the world in and out of radio right? As far as being a black female programmer, I'd love to see more of a mix with urban Christian music. I hear other programmers talk about wanting it all time-and quite a few of them admit to leaning towards more urban music in their personal lives-but for some reason are afraid to play it on air. So, we settle for a "safer" watered down "urban" sound. But, the industry as a whole is amazing. The people I get to work with and call my peers are amazing. I just feel blessed and thankful God lets me do this.

5. Share about the on-air dynamic of KSGN's morning show. What about it works the best? What have been some of the biggest obstacles to overcome as a team?

The morning show is a blast because Bryan and I are actually friends off the air; so, we get each other. I think the genuine friendship comes through in what the listener hears. When we first started doing the show together, we didn't know each other's timing and speech patterns, so we would talk all over each other. Then we got "Frosted" during our consulting/aircheck sessions and we figured it out quick. Things have been pretty smooth since then.

6. How would you describe the process of a typical KSGN music meeting?

Nothing is typical when it comes to Bryan and me! But when it's time for a music meeting, we usually go into his office and throw down on some Rock'em Sock'em Robots. I almost always win, so we add the songs I like. Totally kidding. We consider a number of factors; but, at the end of the day, after looking at research, history, "her" patterns, it's a gut call. Sometimes we're off, but thankfully, more times than not, we're spot on.

7. You've surely had tons of great (or not-so-great) memories on-air. What are a couple that particularly stand out to you?

My worst on-air moment didn't happen at KSGN. I was still doing news, traffic, and weather for LA stations and I was filling in at one station. Their process for switching from 'live' to 'auto' was rather complicated and I had trouble with the transition. So, when it came time for me, all they got was dead air...for like two minutes. Yikes. But I didn't get fired! So, there's that.

8. What would you say are three of the most important Christian radio songs of the past five years?

Zach Williams' "Chain Breaker," Hillary Scott's "Thy Will," and Chris Tomlin's "At The Cross."

9. KSGN is close to Indio Valley, not far from Coachella, the popular music and culture festival. If you were in charge of your own live music event, which (living) acts would be no-brainers to perform?

Living?? Man, now that Prince is gone does music even matter anymore? JUST KIDDING. For me, it would be Drake, Maroon 5, Lauren Daigle, Jennifer Hudson, and Bruno Mars.

10. When it's not considering on-air content, making music decisions or tackling voice tracking, what thoughts are you most likely ruminating?

When I'm not thinking about all that, I'm usually wondering how I can squeeze in a nap. I need a nap. Two or three of them, please.