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10 Questions with ... Mike Gamble
September 29, 2009
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1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
November 1973 ... weekends, Saturday 6a-10a on (Belk Broadcasting) WPDQ/Jacksonville. Many, many announcers influence me. Among them include Otis Gamble, Larry Jones, Ernie Singleton, Willie Martin and Marc Little. Top 40 influences: Jay Johnson, Rick Dees and the Greaseman.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
It was the fascination and excitement of the medium and its connection to the community. Watching "Little Daddy" John Hill on the air through the control room window. Watching the crowd at live remotes and community/civil rights events. And most of all, getting calls on the request line.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Absolutely. What a means of encouraging, informing and empowering people! It has been very personally fulfilling
4) Where do you see the industry and The Light five years from now?
Radio will always compete with other media and forms of entertainment and information. However, the personal connection will never be replaced. Thus, radio must remain true to its purpose or "calling," if you will, and that calling is to stay close and remain intimate and connected to its audience (listeners). The success of the music is just beginning. Gospel music will always serve as a song of inspiration, encouragement and truth to the spirit of mankind. The need for that is always increasing among those who are searching for inner fulfillment. As the church grows, so does this audience base.
With the embrace of secular FM stations (i.e., Urban and Urban AC formats) during their 6a-7pm rotations and isolated Sunday mornings and/or 4-6a Monday-Friday dayparts, the music will continue to experience escalated growth. However, Gospel radio is totally at the mercy of radio groups that recognize the exclusivity, strength and consistency of the format and the willingness to sell theses audiences to general-market advertisers through underperforming FM outlets.
5) What's your take on the artists you play currently? Are they as good as they were six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.
Gospel artists are better than before because of the competitive environment of the Ggospel music marketplace in retail and radio. Retailers have so much space for Gospel and radio can only rotate so many songs successfully. Therefore, record companies are signing only artists who are willing to put in the quality and work.
6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
What you sow, you'll reap. What goes around comes around
7) What was the transition you had to make in your new position?
Transforming my thinking of operating/programming a station to a local market to programming to a national market.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you 'd like to improve?
Internet use. Multi-tasking and delegating without sacrificing the final product.
9) How well do you think today's Urban broadcasters really understand Arbitron?
On a 10 scale, 7 out of 10. I learned and continue learning about Arbitron, recognizing it's only an indicator of audience growth and trending. It's important that we learn all it has to offer and understand its use toward maintaining and growing audiences and the sales of those audiences.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
I wish I had taken more job opportunities in major other markets (Cleveland, Dallas, Houston).
Bonus Questions
What's been your biggest disappointment in radio today?
Lack of public service and information to the community. Lack of personal contact.
How did you get your present job?
In the summer of 1998, I was referred by longtime colleague Vanessa Vaughn, affiliate relations for The Light, to Steve Brisker, then President of the Network. In January 2001, I was released from the network by the new President Ron Davenport, Jr. and rehired in September 2004 by its current President Susan Austin.
What is your biggest challenge working at this position?
Staying abreast of the affiliates and their respective markets. Keeping a broad, yet personal appeal to their (our) audiences.
What do you do with a song you don't like or you feel does not work for the network?
I have my A PD and MD listen. Knowing our core audiences (25-54 adults in general, 35-44 women in particular) and their music preferences is crucial. If it doesn't meet the criteria, I don't play it. My margins are very limited
What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?
Be straight and honest with people, whether good or bad. And do to others what you would like done to you ... good or bad. The worst? "Little things or issues don't matter." There is a sticker that says, "Don't sweat the small things." Good advice if you're prioritizing and know what the small things are. Jesus said, "It's the small foxes that destroy the vine."
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