10 Questions with ... Jeremy Henry

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I've only worked one place, Lanser Broadcasting: WJQK (JQ99) and WPNW (1260 The Pledge) in Grand Rapids since April 2004

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

My first job in radio was running the board for live broadcasts and a little bit of production work. Oh, and taking readings for the AM station. As far as mentors, about the time I found one, he left. But I soon found a mentor in my co-worker Troy West.

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

Hmm, good question. Couple ideas come to mind. First, take chances. Do things that have never been done before. Why? It can be a time of new and exciting experiences for your audience, while helps you stick out from the competition. Don't operate under the mindset that, "This is the way it has always been." That's a really bad idea. Second, have fun. If you're having fun, chances are your audience is, or will, too. Third, it's okay to continue strengthening the relationships you have with your current audience. Don't "love and leave" to build a bigger audience; "love and take care" of the one(s) you have. Get to know them as intimately as you can and you'll be amazed at what they share with you to help improve your station.

3. What does JQ have coming up this summer?

Well, most immediate, JQ99 is the sponsor of the "Hello/Tonight" summer tour with Chris Tomlin and tobyMac for its Grand Rapids stop. We're pretty pumped about that. We also put on the 4th of July fireworks in Holland, so we're gearing up for that. However the biggest event is Unity on August 11-14. Unity is a 4-day festival full of food, fun, friends and plenty of your favorite artists. In attendance this year will be Fireflight, Thousand Foot Krutch, Matthew West, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, Casting Crowns, FM Static and MORE! We love that time of year.

4. Who is your favorite on-air personality not at your station?

Ha! That's an easy one: Mandy from the Air1 morning show. [Smile] I like Sean, too. I think they make a great morning show team and I miss seeing Mandy here at JQ99. If that's too close to a station connection, then I'm a HUGE fan of Wally from Total Axxess!

5. What is your favorite part of your job?

I'm really passionate about music. So being the MD is my favorite part. I like the science of building the sound of JQ and the art of crafting the deeper meaning our listeners can take away. Plus I like listening to all the new music that's out there!

6. And your least favorite part?

One of my least favorite parts is NOT having enough time to do all the things I want to do. I know, weird that I'd want to spend MORE time at work, but it's true! I like what I do!

7. If you could have any other job outside radio, what would it be?

Well, prior to getting married, I had a desire to move out to Silicon Valley to become a Video Game Tester. Post marriage, something music-related like working in a recording studio, as a promoter, etc.

8. Who inspires you personally, spiritually and/or professionally?

Personally, oddly enough, my daughter. She is only 20 months old but to see how she treats total strangers and people we encounter at the grocery store together constantly reminds me of how poor of a job I do that myself.

Spiritually, Wally from Total Axxess. Dude tells it like it is and lives his faith out on the radio, live, for everyone to witness. He's a total encouragement and I constantly make connections within the situations and examples he brings up. He's continuously inspiring me to live my faith the same way.

Professionally, co-workers and former co-workers like Troy West, Ceci Labarge, Mandy at Air1, Gary Thompson at SOS and Brian Nelson to name a few. They've all managed to inspire me in many different ways, to help me mold myself into the professional radio guy I feel called to be.

9. What music currently has your ear? Any new artists that you can't get enough of?

Oh man, this couldn't be a more difficult question for an MD to answer. Here are some of the songs that have grabbed my ears more recently (in no particular order): Dave Barnes' "God Gave Me You," Stellar Kart's "Something Holy" and Chris August's "Starry Night." I have listened through Dave's album and really enjoy "Little Lies." This is probably the song I've listened to over and over the most in recent memory, although I'm super pumped to hear more from Chris August!

10. Do you have any favorite summer Michigan outdoor activities?

My wife and I just purchased a house less than a mile away from Lake Michigan. Take a guess as to where we will be spending our time! However visiting the beach is more for my wife. I'd rather hit the golf course!

1. Do you read everything or nothing? Do you have any favorite magazines, books, or newspapers?

I don't really enjoy reading. I stop by blogs and websites, but only to look at the pictures. [Smile]

2. Cat or dog person?

Own a cat, but would prefer a dog.

3. Describe your favorite meal.

Mexican food of any kind. LOVE IT!

4. What is your favorite quote?

Not sure if I have it exact but "Always give people more than they expect to get." As far as whoever said it, I don't remember. I heard it in an air-staff meeting one time.

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

Err, another hard question. Umm. My family because being alone would drive me to Crazytown (kind of like Tom Hanks in "Castaway"), the means to cook food (i.e. fire, utensils, etc.) so we can actually eat) and kayaks for recreation.