10 Questions with ... Erin Branham

1. Could you walk us through your career path that ultimately brought you to your Baltimore gig at SHINE-FM?

Prior to working at SHINE-FM, I worked at my local, independent Christian bookstore chain. I devoured books and Christian music growing up, so it was heaven to work there and eventually take over the music purchasing. After about five years, I felt like I was supposed to be doing something else, but I had no idea what. I started praying seriously about what was next. One December day, Mike Alley (director of our live events division, 48Live Productions) popped in to the store. He shared the station was growing, it needed a promotions director, and he encouraged me to try out for the job. When he explained the role, it was exactly what I was praying for. It was the first time I remember truly being in awe of God and feeling seen by Him. January 2020 will mark 15 years with the station.

2. Had you ever considered radio as a viable career option before taking the job at SHINE-FM?

Nope! I mean, it looked cool, and I loved listening to my station growing up, but as a job for me? No. I thought you had to have special qualifications and be "somebody" to do that. Funny thing: When I was 16, I took a job placement test and my recommended jobs were acting, TV, radio, retail sales, or customer service. I immediately wrote off acting, TV, and radio because those were unattainable, in my estimation.

3. Was it music or the personalities that drew you into radio as a kid? Who are some names that you remember listening to most, growing up?

The radio was set to only 95.1 FM in my house, so I grew up listening to many of my current co-workers (shoutout to Steve Lawhon, Dave Paul, and Mike Alley). At the time, it was mostly a teaching station, so any music that was played was very little and it was mostly choral music, the Haven of Rest Quartet, and anything without drums. Slowly it progressed to Michael Card (one of my favorite voices!), Larnelle Harris, Sandi Patty, Steve Green, Twila Paris, etc. While I still love those artists, I craved something a little more "exciting" and stumbled on Z-Music Television (any remember that?) and discovered dcTalk, 4Him, Point of Grace, Out of Eden, Ian Eskelin, Rebecca St. James, Audio Adrenaline, Plumb, Jaci Velasquez, and Dakota Motor Company. I have a healthy respect and enjoyment for the matriarchs and patriarchs of CCM.

4. Who are the people you've learned from and leaned on the most throughout your radio career up to this point?

My GM, Steve Lawhon, and former PD, Dave Paul, gave me opportunity and have taught me in pretty much everything I know about radio. They continue to lead us well and create vision for us to follow, and I continue to lean on them. I've watched Mike Alley create an "as close as you can get to home" environment for our artists when they come to us on tour, and it's shown me how to super-serve people. Chuck Finney has been a fantastic coach and helped my partner Jack and me gel together as a team.

5. Now that you're wrapping up your on-air gig and transitioning to promotions full-time again, looking back, what can you say you've learned the most about yourself as a personality?

I've learned that I'm better part of a team, and my strength is responding. I love to pass the ball back and forth, and then pass it in for a dunk. My partner Jack is a fantastic conversation starter and he's fun to volley with. I've also learned that, while details make me happy, details don't always matter to the story and can get in the way of the story's heart. But if you need someone to deliver some details, I'm your girl - haha.

6. What will you miss the most about being on the air? Is there anything you won't miss about it?

Hands down, being Jack Larkin's partner. He's honestly one of the best-if not the best-air talent on CCM radio. I don't think I'm being too partial when I say that. He's just a total pro at choosing the right content that connects with our listeners. He makes it fun, and when something serious happens (as it often does in the Baltimore/DC market), he leads well. I'm a better air talent for working with Jack. We've been doing life with our listeners as a team for 10 years, and that's not easy to say goodbye to.

7. What stands out as some favorite/most memorable promotions you've been a part of from your first go-round?

I l-o-v-e-d a promotion we did at Christmas called "Joy To Baltimore." We partnered with the Maryland Chick-fil-As and invited our listeners to pick up and distribute 10,000 free Chick-fil-A meal cards throughout Baltimore. Our SHINE-FM community was so pumped that we enabled them to spread some Christmas joy. I also loved a summer promotion called the "Monday Sweet Treat Office Break." We made our listener the hero of the office when we showed up with a snowball truck and free snowballs for her and her co-workers. Nothing starts a Monday and a long work week off like a happy surprise!

8. Are there promotions teams at other stations that you watch for inspiration? Who are they?

Most of my work until recently has centered around marketing/branding/social, so how about a combo?

KSBJ: Jordan Smith wrapped a donut truck and had donut stops to celebrate their signal increase, plus she gave out branded superhero capes. I want to do both of those things, and I've told her so.

TheJOYFM: Their social and graphics team put together amazing content that looks so cohesive and sharp.

STAR 99.1: Their DJs create super-interactive live videos on Facebook.

SOS Radio: Scott and team do some seriously impactful promotions that are more than promotions.

There are so many more stations serving their communities in such personal, and creative ways. I'm looking forward to connecting with more!

9. In your opinion, what are five of the most important songs at Christian radio during your radio career?

• "I Can Only Imagine" MercyMe
• "Praise You In This Storm" Casting Crowns
• "Tell Your Heart To Beat Again" Phillips, Craig & Dean / Danny Gokey
• "Redeemed" Big Daddy Weave
• "Forgiveness" Matthew West

10. What gets you the most pumped up about your future at radio, particularly as it pertains to what SHINE-FM is doing?

I love that we get to be a light to a stressed out, hurting, chip-on-the-shoulder community. While the people in the Baltimore metro area may be tough, it's the tough people who need a lot of love and grace and need to know they don't have to be the ones to shoulder the burdens. I'm really excited at how our collective teams are all working together through our individual departments to create a unified message to encourage our listeners wherever they are and however they are choosing to interact with our station - online, social media, events, text, streaming, email, etc.