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10 Questions with ... Keith Stevens
October 21, 2019
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1. You've had quite the radio career trajectory. Would you mind taking your readers on a tour of it from start to present?
I started broadcasting literally from my basement in the Seventies with a wireless microphone that transmitted on the radio that my parents bought me from Radio Shack. I would broadcast to the entire neighborhood on 88 FM. So, I named my station WKMS (which stood for "Keith Morgan Stevens")! I set up turntables, played records, took phone call requests, and made tapes for family, friends and neighbors.
After graduating high school, I attended Westminster College and did shifts on the college station, WWNW. Dr. David L Barner was my instructor and mentor. I did a CCM show there called "Covenant." Dr. Barner still teaches radio at Westminster today, and is a friend and leader.
I interned at Z100 New York, and then get hired to work promotions at Z100 during their Heyday of the 80s on the Z-Morning Z00 as Keith Stevens aka "Bubba" calling in on super sticker patrol for Scott Shannon, and hosting weekend air shifts. I was living the dream! My prayers were answered to work at America's #1 radio station, in my own backyard, with the radio leaders of our generation. I thought, "If God could open up that door for me, then anything is possible!"
In the early 90s I felt led to go back to CCM radio job and was fortunate enough to work afternoons on WWDJ, New York and later became Program Director and mornings. They took a chance on a mainstream guy coming to CCM radio. I was so "green" and new and had so much to learn. I had a long, long, long way to go...and still do in many ways. So, I am grateful that I was welcomed into that special radio family, some of my best friends still today, and I love them, and the beautiful New York and NJ audience. I'll never forget my first full-time CCM job. Those were precious times.
I spent 1996-2000 at Lucent Technologies managing a new thing called "streaming media," and programmed intranet broadcasting. During those years, I worked weekends and part-time at Q104.3 New York, Classic Rock Y100 in New Rock, and ALICE 104.5 in Philly. Then, CCM radio came back around and I was hired in 2002 at STAR 99.1 in New Jersey, becoming APD/MD and holding down afternoons for eight years. In 2010, I began hosting Keep the Faith-America's national CCM radio show. Later that year, I accepted the opportunity of a lifetime to become PD at KTIS/Minneapolis. The past nine years have been the most amazing ride of my radio career. After eight years in afternoons, I recently switched to morning drive and remain and continue as Program Director at KTIS.
2. When did it become obvious that you were made to do radio? Can you think of a specific moment (or moments) that led you to that resolve?
I knew right away. It was instant. As a young kid in the suburbs of Cleveland, I knew I wanted to be on the radio since the minute I heard Top 40 radio and the wide variety of music. I admired the energy and enthusiasm of great top 40 jocks and the music coming through that AM radio speaker. It was amazing. When I moved to Jersey in 1974, I heard WABC for the first time. I often imitated Ron Lundy on WABC New York. He was electric. His voice made listeners smile. I felt a connection and thought, I want to do that! There's something unifying about knowing that we were all listening to the same thing at the same time. That's what radio is all about. One-to-one communication. I soaked it up.
3. Did you grow up listening to radio? Who and what did you listen to?
As a boy in Ohio, I remember listening to Cleveland radio in the late Sixties and early Seventies. Stations like 1220 WGAR, 1420 WHK, and the amazing CKLW out of Windsor, Ontario. I used to sneak my radio under my pillow at night in my bedroom and listen to CKLW that would come in at night, while my parents thought I was in bed asleep. But I was listening to the magic of radio.
We moved to northern Jersey in 1974, and I got to grow up with the heyday of WABC/New York. All the great air talent! Harry Harrison, Ron Lundy, Dan Ingram, etc. Wow. My Mom would take me to the record store all the time, and Korvettes would let us "test out" the 45s before we'd buy them to make sure they didn't skip.
I really do feel unbelievably blessed to have grown up in that era. Summers were the best, listening to radio. My most memorable season for music were the summer of 1973 and the summer of 1978 - with the release of so many classic albums and movies. I always remember where I was when I first heard Meatloaf, songs from Grease, and the AJA album for the first time. Wow!
I listened to 1050 WHN Country out of New York on AM radio in 1981, and that gave me an appreciation for Emmylou Harris, Don Williams, Willie Nelson, and some new band called Alabama. (That was the only station that came in on my '71 VW Beetle). I also listened to Frank Reed on WNBC/New York who I would later go on to work for-my first CCM Radio job.
Someone introduced me to Christian music in the 1980's and that changed everything. I loved the message and hope that was presented. It was a game changer. I attended many Christian music concerts, including a young Amy Grant at an auditorium in NJ with a new guy named Michael W. Smith opening for her. That was 1982. The Age to Age tour. Wow.
Then, in 1983, as a senior in high school, Z100 signed on the air, and the rest is history. It was the place to be; the Mount Everest of radio, and a place I knew I wanted to work one day. I listened each morning to Scott Shannon on the way to High School and stayed glued to the radio and admired the rest of the Z100 DJs.
4. Has your on-air personality always correlated with who you are in real life? What era of your career would you say was the most adventurous when it came to your on-air persona?
I think my on-air personality has always correlated with who I am. I often think, though, that the era of my career that truly reflects "Keith Stevens" is the one that I am in currently. Contemporary Christian is who I really am. Where I can really be myself on the air and share my life. This is it. As often as we think we could try or do different formats, this is the one format where I am totally true to myself and the listeners. So, I think I'm the most adventurous now. And that's why I think it's been so successful.
5. You're obviously excellent at both, but what is your strongest suit: the on-air or programming element?
Wow. So hard to answer because they go hand-in-hand. Since I am totally a music guy, programming plays a critical part in my show. It really has to come naturally. For me, I'm taking people on a journey each day on the air, and to give them the full experience, just like Scott would do at Z100, I've got to have the freedom to program for the audience to give them the full experience. I punctuate with music, and it's far more natural to do that as PD.
The imaging, promotions, and music all weave together with the personality. If you are programming, and on-air, then you can steer the ship, and marry it to the sound of the station and your breaks. Kind of like marrying a song with the right artist. Same is true with radio PDs.
When Programming the station, I already know how I want it to sound. I don't go into it blindly. I can't if I'm going to achieve true success. I must have a vision. Since I've been programming and on air for the past nine years, I cannot imagine doing just one or the other. They just go hand-in-hand.
6. When you look back on your career, what are three of the most notable highlights in radio that come to mind?
KTIS/Minneapolis-St Paul: Living the dream. Programming and hosting mornings on a live and local 100,000-watt station in a major market has been exhilarating, energizing, and exciting each and everyday. I used to sit at the board on Z100 and say to myself, "I want to do this someday in CCM." I am living the dream. We're packing out arenas, the Mall of America, and large, outdoor venues with Christian concerts like never before. We've hit number two again- this time, in the Summer PPMs in Minneapolis, and more people than ever are hearing the Gospel message of hope across the upper midwest. What a privilege to be a small part of this station that is shining the light of Christ for the Twin Cities: KTIS. I am so glad. What a thrill to be here. What a team.
Keep the Faith: America's most listened-to syndicated CCM radio show. It was the fulfillment of another dream come true. I am so happy to be a part of the team and to get to host with Donna Cruz each week for almost a decade now. I have loved every minute of it. To reach the world and major markets across America is humbling, to say the least. I've learned so much from working with this team and hearing from listeners.
Z100 New York in the late 80s: Like jet fuel in a radio guy's tanks. "Flying the plane." I was told it would never ever happen-that I was "too young." Even when I was there as a promotions intern. And yet, I kept praying and believing and it did happen. I'm glad to have had the experience in the 80s. I got to work and learn from the best of the best in radio and "fly the plane" on weekend airshifts. If you ever pick up the best of the Z Morning Zoo tapes, listen for "Bubba" AKA Keith Stevens. From appearances to Sticker Patrol on the Z-Morning Zoo, to being on-air during the weekends. It was all a huge honor. Don't believe anyone who says you can't do something or you're too young. Pray and believe otherwise, and God will bless you.
7. Conversely, what would you describe as the most challenging season in radio?
Clearly, being out of radio for some time in the mid 90s. I felt upset and after working so hard, everything seemed to have been taken away. You really need a mentor in this business and, despite working at some of the best stations, I still felt alone. I had no local mentor. I remember being so upset and discouraged and not able to figure out my life. Coincidently, I could have purchased my domain name early on. I looked it up on GoDaddy for several years; clicked on it to purchase, and thought, "Why bother? I'll never be back in radio again." I should have bought it! Today, "Keith Stevens dot com" is a square dance caller in Florida! Ugh. I should have at least held the domain but I was so incredibly discouraged. I've now had to settle for KeithStevens dot ORG!
I also remember being in-between jobs in the early 2000's. That was a tough time too. I wondered where God was, and then I heard Ginny Owens coming through the radio singing "The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear, and I don't know the reasons you brought me here. But just because you love me the way that you do, I'm going to walk through the valley if you want me to." It's such an introspective song. So raw and real. It was me all the way. Thank you, Ginny. You're the best. You inspired me to really seek God. He got me through. He'll do the same for you, too.
8. If you're putting together a three-day music festival called, let's say, StevensFest-all of your favorite artists-who are the co-headliners each night?
In my world of Christian Music:
- Crowder during his Run Devil Run Tour
- Chris Tomlin performing "Is He Worthy" (the Mount Everest of Worship)
- Casting Crowns' 20th anniversary tour of their first album, playing each song. See ya in 2022! Now there's a great idea!
In my world of mainstream favorites:
- John Mellencamp's Lonesome Jubilee 30th Anniversary Tour, performing a set-list of full LP and concert from 1988. My wife Sue and I were there!
- Emmylou Harris's Luxury Liner full album tour. The most-angelic voice in Country music.
- Eagles with all members, including a return visit from Don Felder, Randy Meisner and Glen Frey (rest in peace)
9. What are five of the most important songs of your lifetime?
In my CCM world:
- Mylon and Broken Heart "I Will Rejoice"
- Keith Green "Grace By Which I Stand"
- Russ Taff "Breathe Life Into Me"
- Ginny Owens "If You Want Me To"
- Casting Crowns "Here I Go Again"
In my mainstream world:
- "Funeral For a Friend"/"Love Lies Bleeding" - both worth waiting for at every Elton John concert
- "Running Like the Wind" by the Marshall Tucker Band - best MTB song of all time. Turn it up and hit the highway.
- "Close to You" by The Carpenters - in the summer of 1970 when I was four, my mom would sweetly sing to me, "In your eyes of blue..."
- "Minutes to Memories" by John Mellencamp - sums it all up.
- "Sixty Years On" by Elton John - hauntingly true, and try the eight-minute live version. It rocks.
10. When you actually get free time outside of the station, how are you at least trying to spend it?
Being with Sue, going on summer vacation with our sons to Canada and fishing in the canoe in the sun. It's the closest thing to heaven there is. Driving my old '79 VW convertible Beetle and eating outside at our favorite restaurant & café, listening to music and making memories in the sun on UDXL11 Chrome Cassettes in the convertible through the EQ and Harmon Kardon speakers. Game night with Sue by the fire, skiing in the winter, and listening to 45s on the jukebox!
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