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10 Questions with ... Scott Smith
December 2, 2019
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1. How do you break down your career journey that's brought you to your current gig at K-LOVE?
I was blessed to start working in radio at 15, after growing up listening to radio and pretending to be Casey Kasem, working radio was a dream come true. Outside of a brief season working in sales, consulting and starting a corporation; I have worked in radio. Over 30 years now, that's hard to believe. I have long stints of my career in Orlando, doing morning there for 12 years before moving to K-LOVE, where I have just put in 12 years.
2. Are there ever days you think about doing something else, vocationally?
Not really, I love radio, and can't imagine doing anything outside of radio. I could see working in programming, consulting or coaching perhaps, but I love going in and doing a show everyday. I love connecting with people; making them laugh, think and offering some encouragement.
3. What are some specific examples of why you choose to stay in Christian Radio year in and out?
I love working in Christian radio, it's the perfect marriage of my love for radio and my faith. If people have not listened to Christian radio in a long time or ever, for that matter, I think they will be surprised by the level of talent and professionalism in both the music and the broadcasting.
4. Throughout the course of your career, what would you say was the "golden age" of Christian Radio? Or are we in it now?
I am not sure you could pin down a 'golden era' of Christian radio, I think that Christian radio is better across the board then it has ever been. In era's gone by, you had some great individual stations, now there are several in cities across the country that are doing really good radio. Thanks to many of us who cut our teeth in mainstream radio, and applied those talents to the format; Christian radio is the best it has ever been.
5. When you're not listening to Christian Radio, what have you been listening to most?
I listen to a lot of sports radio, I am a sports junkie. I also like podcasts and as a music lover, I find myself open up Spotify or throwing a record on.
6. You and Kelli Caldwell have been a co-host duo for nearly a decade now, right? How would you describe the evolution of your relational dynamic-both on-air and off-over the course of your tenure together?
Kelli and I have been doing the show for over a decade; and love doing the show together, we're a really great team. I have had the privilege of working with some great co-hosts over the years, but Kelli is the best. We have always worked well together, but we are better now than we have ever been. From the very beginning, we have had great chemistry and we're both been prep hounds and bring tons of material in the studio each day. Since we have worked together so long, we know how to make each other shine, and how to make the listeners shine. We have also worked really hard to listen to one another, that is one of the most important bits of advise for anyone working in radio, not just on a team show. It makes you better!
7. Who else are you watching and listening to out there in the Christian Radio world? Any rising talent that you'd like to point out?
I don't spend a lot of time listening to other Christian radio, but there are some very talented people working in our industry right now. I work with some incredible people that are new to the format, guys like Jeff Detrow and Skip Mahaffey certainly aren't new to radio, but new to the format and doing a great job. My co-worker at Air1, Mandy Young, is one of the best, I am a fan. I also think Sarah Taylor at KCMS, Joy Summers at WayFM, K-LOVE's Kelli Caldwell, Randy Tyler, Alex Taylor and Amy Bauman and Lil' Ang at NGEN Radio are all women doing an incredible job of connecting with our core listening audience.
8. Based on listener feedback, what have been some of the most important songs to Christian Radio over the past few years?
One that continues to impact people over the years is "I Can Only Imagine," which saw a big resurgence with the movie release. Others that have had big impact of late, include Tauren Wells' "God's Not Done With You," for King & Country's "God Only Knows," Cory Asbury's "Reckless Love," and Lauren Daigle's "You Say."
9. Outside of work life, what's on your mind the most these days?
I think there is lot on everyone's minds these days with all the stuff that is floating around out there. I think that it is important to stay on top of what's going on in the world, especially in our job. What's more important, however, is having a place to go to check out for a bit. For me, I find that spending time reading books, getting to church and the gym, spending time outside (hiking, hunting and fishing) and the occasional video game or Netflix binge are good escapes from all the craziness.
10. What do you and your wife Missy look forward to most going into 2020?
My wife and I are empty-nesting now, so there are things that we are doing that we haven't done in a long time, maybe ever. We are also excited that our son, Austin, is getting married to a great girl in September!
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