10 Questions with ... Dan Raymond

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

KNWS (2005-present), KFJB/KXIA (1997-2005), KNAB (1996-1997), KVSC (1993-1996)

1) What was your first job in the industry? Did you have any mentors early on?

My first radio "job" was in high school, volunteering at a free-form non-com college/community radio station, 50 miles from my home, in St. Cloud, MN (KVSC). There I learned radio basics, including a full and proper education in playing vinyl on air. They also had some early digital stuff, like Audisk. This was the station where I learned how NOT to record to DAT, ruining the only copy of a band's live in-studio performance (oops!). My first real radio mentor would be Dave St. John in my experience working here at KNWS.

2) What has been your favorite promotion at your station?

My current favorite is kind of a small thing really: Friend For Life that invites listeners to nominate a friend. We get to share that story on the air. The nominated friend gets $15 in a Panera gift card so our friends can go do lunch. Plus, if the nominated friend is a new listener to Life 101.9, they get a new listener "welcome" packet with a customized letter letting them know how they were nominated.

3) What does Christian radio need to do to break through to a mass audience on a more consistent basis?

I think we need to create, discover and develop ways to connect with "her," speaking to her in her language, affirming and serving her through promotions, marketing and on air, in what we know through research to be her highest values. So, connection with her in her world, serving her, to facilitate an invite to listen to an on-air product that draws her in, and ultimately draws her closer to Christ.

4) Who inspires you personally, professionally and/or spiritually?

Three guys within my organization: Dave St. John, Dick Whitworth and Reid Holsen. In my personal life, my good friend Mike Sullivan.

5) If you were just starting in radio today, and you knew what you know now, would you continue forward?

I lurk in some radio forums online and read a lot of negativity. It might be hard to not buy into all that. But I believe in what our radio ministry is about, and how God is using it and other Christian media to change lives. What we're doing is changing and will continue to change, and we have to ride it out, working hard to give our target what matters to her. If I believe I'm going to fail, I probably will. Were I still in secular commercial radio right now, I might be pretty depressed, caught in what must feel like a perpetual downward spiral. Conversely, and no matter where I am, I have to believe the tech and media options and increased choice are opportunities for our industry to expand and grow and do better. Or I have to go get another job.

6) What are the greatest challenges in your position/job?

I have a really great team, both in my station and in our corporate group, and awesome listeners who give sacrificially to keep us going. That said, my biggest challenges are, I think, my own inability (or hopefully, growing ability) to make contagious my enthusiasm and vision with others, and to help others catch that wave. That reflects more an area I need to develop in myself than a problem with those I work with. And, creativity with limited resources, using what we have to make the biggest impact.

7) And what are the greatest rewards in your position/job?

It's all about our listeners. To hear a story of how God brought Life 101.9 alongside in one of his projects to change someone's life eternally, to me there's no bigger privilege or reward than to see him at work.

8) Any favorite artist run-ins? Highlights from a promotion or interview?

Just had a phone call with Kai at INO. He was expressing his gratitude for my morning team's creativity in an interview with Phillips, Craig & Dean. They grabbed an otherwise blah moment in a phone call, found a different camera angle, and made something fun, a little more ear catching, than a typical artist interview.

9) If you could have any other job outside radio, what would it be?

I've always been the curious type. To be able to experience lots of interesting and different things. If I could be that guy on the show "The Pretender" or Mike from "Dirty Jobs," that would be so cool. Careers like space shuttle pilot, conservation officer and farm equipment mechanic all sound fun!

10) If I (for some crazy reason) wanted to vacation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, what would you recommend that I do while in town?

In eastern Iowa you could enjoy what we have in abundance (tranquil, peaceful nature) maybe by camping within earshot of the Cedar River at George Wyth State Park. Check out the variety of museums (featuring Grant Wood collections, the Matchstick Marvels Museum, the Czech museum when it hopefully re-opens, post-flood). There's also the very cool Galleria de Paco restaurant, where artist Paco Rosic has recreated the Sistine Chapel in spray paint (www.paco-rosic.com).

1) What music is in your CD player/on your iPod right now?

MuteMath, Thousand Foot Krutch and Needtobreathe. I keep finding Plumb's lullabies in my car CD player, thanks to my wife and kids! And I've been fighting temptation to download all those recent Beatles releases.

2) Describe your favorite meal:

Shredded beef chimi at Carlos O'Kelly's

3) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you and why?

iPod Touch with lots of tunes, games and Bible software, fishing rod, a big honkin' boat to go home when I get bored [smile]