10 Questions with ... Kenny Fowler

1. You’ve been a staple at Power 88 for well over two decades now. Can you take us through the career path and that’s taken you through the ranks there?

Twenty-twenty is actually my 24th year here at Power 88. Back in college, I was a Communications major and had a love for radio, but I couldn’t stand our local Christian music station (Power 88). I remember having a discussion with a friend about how that station really annoyed me with a lot of what they did and then he revealed he had just started volunteering there. He told me that he thought it was better to try and help it from the inside than to throw rocks from the outside. It really convicted me and I started volunteering with whatever they would let me do. After about six months, I got a paid weekend shift and eventually mornings. I’m now full-time afternoons with a Music Director title.

2. Can you remember the moment when you knew that you were called into the Christian Radio world?

I’m not sure there was one particular moment, but a process of God preparing me from childhood to do this as a living. I remember writing and giving speeches in the 4th grade in oratorical contests against kids in middle school. Looking back now, I am able to see the path that God had me on to do this ministry.

3. Was radio an important part of your upbringing? What did you grow up listening to?

Music was a major part of my childhood. My father was a music minister and I constantly was surrounded by music. Radio wise as a kid I remember listening to WDJC and to the top 40 station in Birmingham and pretending to deejay between songs. A short-lived Christian music station popped up in Mobile and it was the first time I had ever heard all contemporary Christian songs on the radio.

4. Did you grow up on Christian music? Either way, what bands/artists would you say have made the biggest impact on your life thus far?

I did. I remember some of the artists that influenced me the most were dcTalk, Audio Adrenaline, Carman, Newsong, Newsboys, Steve Taylor, Mortal, Michael W. Smith and a ton of others.

5. What is the most misunderstood element of your day-to-day job?

Time management. There’s a perception that we only get to listen to songs all day.

6. Has there ever been a moment when you entirely geeked-out in front of an artist? What happened and who was it?

It was when I had just started getting to work on radio and I got to meet Steven Curtis Chapman. I remember he walked up to me and (with his hand outstretched) and said “Hi! I’m Steven Curtis Chapman.” The only words I returned with was “I know!” Totally forgetting my own name in the process.

7. Who are some of the stations you current pay attention to and what are they doing that carries some influence for you?

Boost 101, The Fish-Nashville, K-LOVE, WayFM, among others.

8. In your opinion, what are five of the most important singles to hit Christian Radio over the past few years?

Lauren Daigle’s “You Say,” Cory Asbury’s “Reckless Love,” for King & Country’s “God Only Knows,” We Are Messengers’ “Maybe It’s OK,” Needtobreathe & Lauren Daigle’s “Hard Love.”

9. Mobile is a unique market because it hosts one of the largest mainstream music festivals in the U.S. every summer, HangOut Fest. Has Power88 ever gotten involved with that festival? If you could choose to be involved with it in any way, what might that look like?

We really haven’t. From time to time, they may have one of our artists perform, but it’s overall not an event we really want to be associated with, locally.

10. What’s the stuff that matters to you most at this point in your life? What are you doing with your time outside of the station?

Along with radio, I’m also a minister at a unique local church (we’re located on the beach. The Gulf of Mexico is our baptistry). Beyond the radio and church, I’m just trying to navigate being a present father and husband for my family. I’m learning as I get older, how important those roles really are and I’m doing my best to not miss any moments together.