10 Questions with ... Dave Burdue

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Fort Smith, AR

1. Could you please share your radio career journey from the start to present?

I began working part-time at KCCL AM 1460 in Paris Ark in 1974, and had some great experience using carts, reel-to-reels and vinyl (Country & Western 45s on two HUGE turntables.) Got a full-time job in November 1975 at KLCO-FM in Poteau, working midnight to 6, playing album cuts. In 1977, went to work at KISR (Kisser 93) in Fort Smith playing TOP 40. In September 1983, got a chance to program some Christian songs on KFSA AM-950 (just across the alley from KISR). In 1987, I went to work at a full-time Contemporary Christian station in Barling, AR called KPHN (95 Alive). The station was sold in 1990. I went back to KFSA and eventually was able to program Southern Gospel there. On February 1, 1993, I went to work at Spirit 106.3 (KZKZ) in Fort Smith and have been here since then.

2. At what point in your life did you know you were called into radio as a profession?

When I was about 10 years old.

3. Did you ever consider another going any other professional route?

I worked at Safeway in the 70s and considered staying there.

4. What'd you grow up listening to?

Has radio always been a part of your story, even before you made a career of it? (You can talk about stations and DJs you listened to, even formats and artists) I grew up listening to KEEL in Shreveport, began listening to WLS in 1969 (Chuck Buell, Chris Erik Stevens, Larry Lujack, John Landecker, Fred Winston). Then discovered AOR radio when KLAZ, Little rock, came on the air in 1972. I struggled to pull in the signal in Paris, using rabbit ears, TV antenna, and wire strewn from one part of the celing to another. During that time I also listened to KMOD, Tulsa and KKUL, Tulsa, both of which had AOR formats.

5. What caused your decision to transition from a mainstream radio to Christian?

I was delivered from drugs and alcohol the morning of March 13,1983 and immediately knew I had to change the direction I was headed.

6. When you're on-air, who is the person you imagine you are communicating to? How do you best connect with them?

I try to talk to one person. I appreciate the things Domino Rippy, Fred Baker, and Tommy Kramer have taught me. I try to talk about things our core listener is interested in. (Our target is a 37 year-old female.)

7. What are a few of your most memorable on-air moments at Spirit 106.3?

Phil Driscoll's live broadcast from Harvest Time Tabernacle where Phil was teaching the musicians how to prophesy using their instruments. Broadcasting Jerry Savelle, Charles Capps, and Kenneth Hagin live from revivals and campmeetings. Praying with Dr. Joseph Martin on the air when cancer disappeared from a listener, and another listener was healed from effects of a stroke. Terry Clark from Promise Keepers came in and played live worship from the production room. All the artists we've been able to put on the air with the help of the record companies. All those live segments from Chick Fil-A.

8. What's the biggest challenge you face when choosing the right songs for Spirit in a given week?

Lyrical content. I always look at the lyrics to see if they line up with God's Word. I believe that's of utmost importance.

9. What would you say are five of the most important songs to hit Christian radio listeners over the past decade?

Matthew West's "Forgiveness," Big Daddy Weave's "Redeemed," Chris Tomlin's "Resurrection Power," Dara Maclean's "Wanted," and Josh Baldwin's "Stand In Your Love."

10. Is there anything in particular that you look forward to outside of radio in 2020?

I'm looking forward to more ministry opportunities. And this may sound strange, but my pastor is teaching me how to trade commodities. It'll be a way to supplement my income and I'll have more seed to sow.