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10 Questions with ... Neal Hopson
July 13, 2020
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1. From what I understand, your journey into the radio world is a bit of an unconventional one. What all went down that led to your current gig at BOOST Radio?
Well to make a long story…not as long, I never imagined I'd be in radio. I always admired how radio and live DJs did what they did, but I kept doing my thing. I played tennis at a high level all of my life, and I thought that was the end-goal. But, of course, God had different plans.
After college tennis and a short stint in the Pro-Circuit world, I transitioned into working for Mercedes-Benz. I thought that'd be a good way to get enough resources to get back to tennis, but it ended up leading me into the Radio world. Years prior, I'd taught myself how to DJ on turntables and enjoyed spinning live.
One warm afternoon, on the way to my home away from home, Chipotle, my wife texted me that 99.1 JOYFM was starting a Christian Pop/Hip Hop Station called BOOST. I immediately stalked Sandi Brown (President) and Mike Couchman (PD) on Facebook and reached out. Now I knew I had no experience, but I've always dreamed of a station like this starting up and maybe I could be a part of it. Mike responded, and asked me to send in an air-check. I had no clue what that was, but I said something like "Sure, I'll send it right over.” Bruh. I went straight to YouTube to see what I'd gotten myself into, and then got to work.
I honestly just did what I heard all my life on the radio, added some “sauce,” and somehow, it worked. After a couple months of interviews and lots of prayer, I was hired at BOOST Radio. I sure am glad I didn't move to Chine a couple of months prior to that! And that, is what you call a tease…
2. What made you decide radio was the career path of choice? Had you considered any other career directions prior to getting hired at Boost?
I was already a Live DJ and Hip-Hop dance choreographer, so those were my side hustles that I enjoyed. One month before I heard about BOOST starting, I was supposed to move to China to dance on a six-month tour. I auditioned with a friend, and we both made it. I decided at the last minute that I wasn't going to go, but my friend went...and hated it. It had always felt a little sketch. After months of noodles, a crooked hairline, and being abandoned by his agent in Beijing, my friend said that I made the right choice to stay in the USA. ‘Ya don't say, huh?’ Just to think that I would've given up a lucrative job, moved my family across the world, and missed the BOOST opportunity if I had not listened to God. Whew.
3. What were you raised on? Was radio an important part of growing up?
I grew up in a Christian home, and we weren't allowed to listen to much secular radio. I knew CCM and Gospel music pretty well, Charity Church Mouse, TBN, and preaching tapes. Yes, tapes. I was always up-to-speed on the hot music that was out, thanks to BET, TRL, and sneaking to listen to the radio. N’SYNC and Backstreet Boys were very formative in my high school years. The only Christian station on the radio was on AM, and it was all Gospel. Listening through the poor signal was annoying, but we were thankful for something. I always hoped someone would start a station like BOOST, though.
4. When you go live, what are you hoping to give St. Louis radio listeners that your peers across the market aren’t? Have you had to work on developing that “voice” or has it come pretty naturally for you?
When I go live I want listeners' ears to perk up with anticipation, the atmosphere and energy to shift, and listeners to be filled with hope and encouragement. I want them to know that I see them as an individual (not an audience), that I relate to where they are in life, and most importantly that God loves them. There were some things that came “natural," but honestly, it was a culmination of serving at church, using "small" opportunities as a way to develop, and adopting a growth mindset. I'm always asking questions, reading, and watching videos to further develop. Now, I listen to the radio to hear the jocks, opposed to listening to the music.
5. Speaking of developing as a jock…Your top three worst on-air habits. What are (or were) they?
1. Having three names: Neal Hopson, DJ Alexander, Neallytime. So embarrassing. I was a rookie, and after a couple of weeks, Mike Couchman told me I needed to choose one name. They all had a good meaning behind them, but using all three on the air was way too confusing!
2. Talking over the outro of a song. I grew up listening to jocks do it, but I need to let the song ride out!
3. Pacing. Sometimes I rush and use ebonics at the same time. Sounds like I'm speaking in tongues!6. BOOST’s programming, playlist and imaging is very pretty unique—and even innovative--in the radio universe as a whole. Is it tough to see yourself— your onair brand, not to mention your personal interests—on the air at any other format?
Great question! I definitely could "do" radio on other formats, but I believe wholeheartedly in the mission and vision of BOOST. It's not so much the what (music), it's the why (purpose). My job is to be obedient to God, and use music to connect, unify, encourage, and share good news of Jesus with the world!
7. What’s been the biggest challenge in the day-to-day at BOOST? What is the biggest daily payoff?
Six years in, one of the biggest challenges is brand awareness. I'm sure every station would love a huge signal and millions of social media followers, but we have to be faithful and steward well what we have in this moment. Personally, I'm always challenged to stay ahead of the curve and strive to be a leader in the culture. The biggest daily payoff is being given the freedom and guidance to create, take risks, and make mistakes.
8. Who are the people speaking into you the most, both professionally and personally?
I try to keep an ear to the street and learn from a variety of different places related and unrelated to radio: Ryan Seacrest, Steve Harvey, Nick Cannon, Sway, The Breakfast Club, Hot97 (NYC), ESPN's First Take, David Blunt, Carl Lentz, Judah Smith, Micheal Todd, Comedians, Joe Rogan, Gary V, John Maxwell, etc.
A couple of people that speak into my life on a daily basis, in addition to my mentors and wife (lol), are two of the best in the game; Mike Couchman and Sandi Brown.
9. What are the five most important songs at Christian radio in the past five years?
This is by far the toughest question! I'll narrow it down to BOOST songs:
“Reckless Love” by Corey Asbury
“I'll Find You” by Lecrae and Tori Kelly
“Hills & Valleys” by Tauren Wells
“You Can't Stop Me” by Andy Mineo
“Feel It” by Toby Mac
Bonus: “Comin’ in Hot” Lecrae and Andy Mineo and “I'm Turnt” by Lecrae
Most influential people in the past five years:
Kanye West
NF
Lecrae, Lecrae, Andy Mineo
Twenty One Pilots
Hillsong (all of them!)10. So, clearly your dance resume is pretty impressive. Where did that gift come from and how do you use it these days, when you’re not at the studio or home being a husband/father?
Thank you. I love to dance and creative direct. I grew up watching Michael Jackson, M.C. Hammer, Usher, and N'SYNC. I continue to teach MasterClasses, develop artists, and provide opportunities for Dancers to get paid. There aren't as many in the Midwest as there are on the coasts.
I've been blessed to consistently provide paid opportunities for dancers to use their gift in arenas and stadiums in front of audiences of more than 25k people, and with the industry’s top artists. If I can get them in the presence of God and allow them to use their gift—and eventually introduce them to Jesus—then that's a win. One goal—for souls.
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