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10 Questions with ... Mike Prendergast
July 26, 2021
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1. Please tell us about your career journey?
I actually went to Texas A&M to study meteorology. After a year at school I moved home to be closer to my girlfriend at the time (now my wife of 24 years) and received a degree in Broadcast Management. I got an intership with KLTY in 1996 in my last semester of college, then was hired in promotions once I graduated. I moved to AC KVIL in 1997 and worked in promotions, programming and production eventually reaching Assistant Program Director title. I also was Technical Director of the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network for 8 seasons. In 2005, I came back to KLTY as APD/MD and was named Program Director in March 2009.
2. Share the most challenging part of your career.
Many years ago I had the challenge of working for a very difficult supervisor. Learning to submit to authority even when you do not want to was a very difficult lesson to learn. But Jesus calls us to do just that. I suffered for many years under this authority but God grew me to understand his calling on my life like I hadn’t before. He has now blessed me with an amazing supervisor and an understanding on how to treat my employees that I oversee.
3. The best coaching advice you've ever received was…
Lead by example. You can’t expect your staff to do something you’re not willing to do. Go to battle for them and show them you’re not simply someone who can hire and fire them, but that you truly care about what they’re going through and that you want them to succeed.
4. How do you continue learning and growing?
I’m always seeking counsel of others. You can learn so much from the people around you, whether that’s others in the building, or fellow programmers across the country. Also, I never stop trying new things. You can’t hit home run without having many at bats and you’re going to strike out occasionally but you learn with every swing.
5. What’s one thing you wish you’d known about radio when you first started?
That the secular side or radio will chew you up and spit you out. I spent 8 ½ long years in secular radio that almost made me quit radio completely. I should have made the jump to CCM much sooner.
6. Tell us about someone in our industry who you really respect and why?
Scott Herrold at SOS Radio in Las Vegas. Scott has guided that station to historic ratings of late, a Christian station in Sin City mind you, and continues to evolve the format with great ideas, fresh music choices and strong leadership. He’ll be an industry leader in this format for decades to come.
7. What would surprise people most about you?
I’m a stutterer. I’ve been so since a kid and that fact that I work in radio is nothing short of a miracle from God. When I’m on air, I do not stutter. It’s amazing really, I need to just keep a microphone with me wherever I go in public. I’m sure that won’t look weird walking into Walmart…. Also, for the record, Jason Gray and I have a long standing joke that it takes us 5 minutes just to greet each other over the phone.
8. What’s on your nightstand?
An old alarm clock I never use, my charging iPhone and a book on being a Deacon that I’m reading for church.
9. What are you most excited about this year?
I love where the new music of late is trending. Really fresh music that sounds like it could be played on a secular Top40/CHR station. Evan Craft “Be Alright” and Nonah “Jump” are two recent examples.
10. What do you do for fun?
I enjoy storm chasing and photography on the side and will drive thousands of miles every spring chasing some amazing weather. I’ve chased as far as North Dakota and hope to make it as far as Canada in the next couple of years!
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