I am starting out this blog challenge by sharing the journey of my radio career and why I am switching to producing podcasts.

In the last post I mentioned the public access station, and that's where it all began. I got the whole inspiration to do this show based on 2 shows, True Story and the Shock Jock Hair Rock Show.

I listened to those shows and after hearing the spots saying that I could host my own show, I joined the organization and took the 6 week radio class and in June 2005 I started my first show. My spot was on Thursday's from 2-3 right before True Story.

I know I was pretty bad at first, but what made that time so special was the group over at Shaun Groves message boards on his old site. When Thursday's would come, I would go to the boards and there was a great community there with Nancy, (The Host of True Story), Cristy, Thomas, Kristen.

We would get together and chat about the shows, and also would support each other. One highlight of those days was the year we surprised Nancy on her birthday with flowers sent to her home. Another highlight was when I promoted a Shaun Groves concert at my church. Nancy was there as my helper and Thomas came all the way from Wisconsin. That was also the first time I met Brody Harper. It was on those message boards where I got my title as "Radioman!"

Tomorrow's post is all about the accomplishments.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Stepping Out And Moving On: Why I Got Into Radio

It started in 6th grade. We went on a field trip to the University Of Maryland and we toured the TV and radio stations on campus, and I actually got to do some hands on radio voice work and production, well, as much as a 6th grader can before the modern age of computers. I was so awe struck by the equipment that I knew that I wanted to be in Radio.

After missing out on my first chance to learn radio in the Navy after High School, it was in 2005 when I got my chance to make my radio dream a reality. The local public access station has a free form radio station, where pretty much every show is different. I am a long time fan of rock music, especially Christian rock. At the time the only way I could find my favorite music was through an online station, and I knew that I could program a show. I knew that I had a pretty good ear and could tell which songs could be hits.

The series will continue tomorrow with a post titled Birth Of The Radioman!

Image Courtesy of FLICKR

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

When I first started reading and getting into the blogging thing, Brad’s blog was among the first I started reading. His posts cover a wide variety of topics including the Church, Family, and Authenticity. Brad was recently on a Compassion Blogger’s trip to Kenya and he shared some amazing stories from his trip.

So could you do me a favor? Actually 2 favors. First, go HERE and listen to today’s podcast interview with Brad, and while you’re listening, go on over to Brad’s blog and you can see why I like his blog so much, you can even read the series of posts about the Kenya trip. While you’re there, leave him a comment saying you heard him on Cross Driven Radio and Compassion 365.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Playlist:

• Give It All To You – Yellow Cavalier
• Love On The Radio – Alabaster Box
• Not A Mistake – Cistern
• Pennyless – It Is Written
• Beautiful Way – All Star United ( Courtesy E1 Entertainment)
• Beaten Bones – Unknown Souldier
• Meet Him In The Air – Hyper Static Union

Theme music is Fakeout by Derek K. Miller

We welcome your feedback. You can contact us via email, toll free at 1-888-634-1147. If you get a chance, please give us a review on iTunes.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

So, starting today it is back to business as usual. The other website is going to redirect here, so if you were subscribed to charleyhays.com, welcome to Cross Driven Radio, the site that started it all.

I am still working on my second site, so you will see an announcement here NEXT Friday, for sure!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Since I have left, the station has installed a new console, a new phone system as well as new cd players. I am fairly confident that I can handle all of the new equipment as it shouldn’t be much different than the equipment I learned on. Its the no retakes part that is a little scary. In recording from the home studio, if I mumbled, or and, or uhh or umm I could edit them out, take 2…. take 3….

The show is going to be really cool because now I can do some stuff I couldn’t do at home, in studio visits, phone calls..

It should be fun. Check out the live page to interact with the other listeners, or even call in and goof on me…

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Cross Driven Radio Logo

By changing days and times the show will be more accessibile to more people and will also allow for more creativity and increased opportunities to interact with listeners through phone calls and twitter.

Stay tuned for at least 1 more announcement about Cross Driven Radio in the coming days..

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Come writers and critics Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who That it’s namin’.
For the loser now Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’.
Bob Dylan

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about change being on the horizon. That change is now starting to come clear. In the very near future, Cross Driven Radio will once again be broadcast live from the Fairfax studios of WEBR.

As many of you know, I have been producing the show from my home studio since 2006. Although I don’t have specific details yet, I can tell you that Cross Driven Radio will be heard on Friday nights. This is a great thing because I am planning on adding some things that I could never have done producing the show from my home studio.

Also on the change front, I am presently in design of the new Cross Driven Radio website. I have started to get really interested in doing web design and have already launched my first blog for a customer… exciting! Are there any changes going on in your life?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I have also had the opportunity to meet and interview several of the artists that I play on the show every week. Some of the highlights have been going to GMA Week for the first time, my first radio interview with Julian Drive, the 40 Day Fast series of interviews and promoting concerts with Shaun Groves, Wavorly, High Flight Society and more.

It has been quite a ride. Behind the scenes, I first took this time slot because it was available and I thought it would be good to have both Christian music shows back to back. Along the way that turned out to be a great blessing with the friendships I have made with Nancy, Thomas, Cristy, and others through that community.

I have been trying for the past 2 years to get a later time slot on the station, but to no avail. I feel the need to reach a bigger audience, but it is a very hard thing to do on Thursdays from 2-3. I know that most days with work schedules it is hard to tune in, somedays I can’t even tune in myself.

I have been seeing the podcast subscribers growing steadily with every episode with half of the promotion I do for the radio show. I have decided that I am going to renew for 1 more season in hopes that I can get a “prime time” slot. I hope to still be able to re run the current show during the regular time. (There are other shows on the station doing this) Honestly speaking, it can be mentally frustrating to put all of the prep and recording into the radio show and be the only listener.

I know that ultimately, I do this show for an audience of One, but yet it is also a blow to the ego to see all of the work go out and no one listen to it. I guess what it really boils down to is that I am wondering if the radio show continues to be a viable ministry as it is and continue to try for a prime time slot, or if I should pay more attention to the podcast since it is showing signs of rapid growth. One thing I do know is that one way or another, I will still be doing Cross Driven Radio, the question is radio, podcast, or both.

I would like to know what you the listener think of this post. Every comment will be entered into a drawing and I have some cool prizes to give away as well. So, radio, podcast, or both?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Playlist:

• Crack The Sky – The Eric Biggins Band
• Anchor – Avery Parkway
• The Rain – Down From Up
• Let It Out – Worth Dying For
• Shelter – Destination 7
• Here I Am – Mission 5:16
• So Far – Sum Of One

Theme music is Fakeout by Derek K. Miller

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This weeks playlist:

• Secret Weapon – MXPX
• Funhouse – Danny Gatton (Opening Theme Music)
• Thank God – After Edmund (Grammy Award Nominee)
• Things Left Unsaid (Acoustic) – Disciple (From the Unplugged Show, January 2008)
• Interview Segment – Bread Of Stone from GMA Music Week
• Letting Go – Bread Of Stone
• Interview Segment – The Sonflowerz from GMA Music Week
• Edge Of My Seat – The Sonflowerz
• Friend Like That – Hawk Nelson - Grammy Award Nominee
• Interview Segment – My Friend Amy - 40 Day Fast Series
• I Will Not Be Moved – Natalie Grant - 2008 Muiltiple Dove Award Winner
• Interview Segment – Brody Harper - 40 Day Fast Series
• Life Is Good – Stellar Kart
• Interview Segment – Secret Life Of Kat - 40 Day Fast Series
• I want To Know You More – Sonicflood

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This weeks playlist:

• In God We Trust -Stryper
• Funhouse – Danny Gatton (Opening Theme Music)
• Blue – Manic Drive featuring Kevin Max
• Grab The Truth – Mission 5:16
• Phil Joel Segment 1 – Topics include deliberate people and deliberate kids
• Changed – Phil Joel
• More Than Just Alive – House Of Thomas
• Love Addict – Family Force Five
• The New Normal – Phil Joel
• Phil Joel Segment 2 – topics include songwriting and the theme for the CD
• Call Unto Me – Phil Joel
• Shine Like The Stars – Stellar Kart
• Phil Joel Segment 3 – Topics include Industy, the election, and the CDR poll
• Rejoice – The Kris Lager Band (Closing Theme Music)

The podcast of the Phil Joel Interview will be available on Friday October 17 on the podcast page.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

It is official.  I have reached one of my biggest radio goals.  Let me recap for you my goals as they pertain to radio:

1. Bring Christian Rock to the Washington DC area. Tiny check with an asterisk since I am not on terrestrial radio here, yet.
2. Contribute to a radio charting list. CHECK! I report my playlist to 2 charts at CRW, the biggest Christian Radio Magazine.  It is awesome to be a part of helping new artists build their careers by playing their music and helping them get to number 1 on the charts.
3. Be  on an FM station. CHECK! I have worked behind the scenes at this station which was fun, but I have been on Renegade Radio for a couple of months and have absolutely loved it!
4.  Be on the air in prime time. CHECK! Starting this week, I will be on the air an hour earlier, starting at 5:00 Pacific time.  This is going to be awesome!  I get to speak to the weather profit about about the weekend weather.  I promise not to do the cheesy 5:00 whistle and play this song.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I just finished recording this weeks Cross Driven Radio show and I must say it was among the hardest shows I have done.  If you read my previous post from today, the Associate Pastor from my previous church, Rev. Karen Blomberg passed away yesterday.

It is weird how this is taking a while to sink in, and how my reactions are changing.  I’m sad that I lost a friend, I’m happy she is with the Lord, I feel sad for Westminster, I’m happy that while she was on a vision quest seeking the Lord, he used that opportunity to call her home.  To me, that is the ultimate. To intimately be searching for God and his direction for her life on a mountain, while fasting, and to see God and be called home.  I mean wow!  Its reminds me of Moses, but in the modern day.  Could she have seen a burning bush like Moses did?  Its one of those questions we will have to ask God one day.

Last year, after much thought and prayer, we finally decided to change our church home.  It was tough because that church was where we were married, our daughter was baptized there, and I could fill a post with all of the things we did at that church.  Most were good.  We ultimately felt called to leave because we were just not being fed spiritually.  It got to the point where some weeks we would go to worship at both churches.  Since we left, there have been people that we thought we were close with, but  we rarely hear from them now.  When you call, its just empty promises of “Lets get together soon”, but soon rarely, if ever comes.  That is where Karen was different.  She still called my wife every couple of months just to see how we were doing.  That speaks to her character as she was a very caring person.  I remember talking with her at length about discerning what I perceived to be God’s call on my life.  Part of that is this very radio show.

This weeks show starts with an opening dedication and a tribute set.  We also have interviews with Brody Harper and Amy as we continue our series of 40 Day Fast interviews.

Music on the show features Natalie Grant, Fee, Hawk Nelson, and a song from one of my favorites, Brooke Barrettsmith.  I can’t say it on the radio show, but I have a pre release of Brooke’s CD and it is truly outstanding!  From rockin songs like farewell and More Real to my new favorite Quiet My Heart, it is just stellar from beginning to end.

See you Thursday at 2:00 EST.  www.fcac.org/webr

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

For today’s Positive Post Tuesday, I want to tell you a little story about some good friends from Alberta, Canada and tell you about their festival.  For those of you that may read this and don’t know, I am an Engineer by day and have a radio show a podcast, and this blog called Cross Driven Radio.  I have a passion for anything music, specifically Christian music, and using that passion to serve God.  I started promoting concerts a couple of years back, and at the urging of Nancy Tyler, I started going to GMA 3 years ago.  

GMA is the annual convention so to speak of the Christian Music Industry, basically everyone that is anyone in the “CCM” industry converges upon Nashville in April.  Its inevitable that in  April you see alot of blog posts like this.  2 years ago I met some of the most wonderful people and we became instant friends.  They were telling me there vision for a festival that was 2 years in planning and last weekend was the first Believe Festival.  I was so bummed that I couldn’t be there, but yet I knew that God had something great in mind for these great people.

 So on this Positive Post Tuesday, I take off my Stetson to Gerald, Sandra, Kelly, Steven and all of the people who dedicated over 2 years to bring a one of a kind festival to a one of a kind venue.  I am already waiting for Believe Festival 2009.  I’m going to apply for my passport this week!  (Pictured Left to Right: Steven, Me, Gerald, Sandra)

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Those are great reasons for not wanting to be at work. I was so not in to being at work because I had 2 interviews with bloggers that are participating in the 40 Day Fast and I was so excited for these interviews. 1 was with Laura, whose blog I had not read before the fast, but now I am a big fan of. Her heart for the women of the Congo is very inspiring to me, and it shows in the interview.

The second interview was with Brody. Brody’s blog was among the first I had read and I have become hooked. I met Brody last year when I promoted a Shaun Groves concert at my church. That is also when I met Transition Pete. That was a great interview because he has a sincerity in his writing, and in talking with him that is just awesome. He really makes you feel at ease.

You will get to hear these interviews, along with P.D.Ross‘ interview over the next 2 weeks. Be sure to visit the blog on New Music Tuesday for a sneak preview podcast of exclusive audio that will only be heard on the podcast. I have 3 more interviews to record next week, so the coverage of the 40 Day Fast continues all the way to August 1st.

I just wanted to say Thank You to all of the people that have been following the coverage of the 40 Day Fast. It is always encouraging to hear people so passionate about the ministries and outreach organizations that they support that leaves me feeling like we are among a group of people that are being led by the spirit to do great things in the name of God. I am so blessed to be able to use my radio show and podcast to help you know a little more about these great people of God!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

1.  My Random Thoughts, Thomas talks about his faith and commentary on life.  His was among the first blogs I read.  Thomas is also a great supporter of my radio shows.  You should go and check him out!!

2.  P. D. Ross from his personal blog and Jesus Greater Than.  I met P.D. through the 40 Day Fast, and have an interview with him for next weeks show.  He is also the official sponsor of the podcast.

3. Inspired To Action is the website for the 40 day Fast, of which I am blogging on July 8.

4. Mercy Me was kind enough to make a S.L.O.B of me and add me to the slobroll.  Be sure to check out the cover tunes grab bag.  It is the most original and funny series of videos ever.  They raise the bar for awesomeness every time.

To the best of my knowledge, those are the only blogs linking to me at this time.  Maybe next time Brody does this I will have a better idea.  Have a great 4th of July!

~CIAO

Charley

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Music featured in this episode is:
Beautiful – re:zound
Unite – Worth Dying For
Spirit Of The Living God – Symphony In Red
Shelter – Destination 7

Links mentioned in this episode:
Secret Life Of Kat
Inspired To Action
Compassion International
World Vision

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tune in to www.fcac.org/webr at 2:00 Eastern to hear the show in its entirety. The full interview will be posted on the Cross Driven Radio website later that night. There are more interviews to come with bloggers participating in this years 40 Day fast including some that will be podcast exclusives.

On the theme of the 40 Day Fast, this show will be different than any that I have done before. Something is happening within me that I can’t quite put a finger on. I am feeling compelled to serve in ways that I had never dreamed of. One thing I do know is that I will share it here. As a new blogger, I know that I have very little traffic across the site now, but I pray that maybe it is here for 1 person to see and be inspired to do great things through what the spirit says through me whether it is on the radio or on this blog. Here is a story about what happened with a group who went to the Oglala reservation at Pine Ridge. Yes, that is where the battle of Wounded Knee took place.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf9L-iU-vig&feature=related]

~CIAO
Charley

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

In my life, it has always been amazing to me how much God will do with just a mustard seed of faith.  There have been numerous instances that I can point to where I have felt God leading me in a certain direction, and when I obeyed and followed that path it was amazing to me the blessings that came from it.

The one in particular for today’s post is about Radio.  I am a shy and somewhat introverted person, not the typical person you would expect to be a boss radio jock.  So much so, that when people hear me on the radio they can hardly believe that I am the same person.  The story of how I got into radio is on the ABOUT CDR page on the blog.

Since I started the show over 3 years ago, I have had several opportunities given to me that I never expected.  From getting music provided by record labels to going to GMA Week and talking about fishing with my friend Eric from Decemberadio, to riding an elevator with Rush of Fools and watching them laugh when I told them my worship leader couldn’t get UNDO out of his head.  Oh man, Keith is going to kill me if he ever sees this.  The point I’m trying to make is that a quiet, mild mannered cable guy could be doing these things is amazing to me.

Recently, I had been getting somewhat frustrated with radio because I have had a hard time building a larger audience and it just wasn’t happening.  I must say though that I do have some very loyal friends from the show like Cristy, Thomas, and of course Nancy.  But, in that frustration, I still had hope and a desire to serve the Lord through radio.  It was then that I was offered a spot voice tracking the Friday night show on Renegade Radio in Reno.  That filled me up and revived my passion for radio.

And then, last night I did an interview that took that passion to another level and opened another door.  You can look at my previous post to hear about meeting one of my blogging heroes and sources of inspiration.  I am 10 days away from my time to blog for the 40 Day Fast, and do I have a story to tell.  If you want to have your heart broken, and then filled up with hope and inspiration for what just 1 person can do to make a positive impact is someone life somewhere in the world, then I encourage you to follow the stories shared in the 40 Day Fast.

When we all put our mustard seeds together, the world will become a better place for our children to inherit. More importantly, that would mean that we will have turned our collective faith in God to bring HIM glory and that we as a generation are living for HIM.  I think Jared Anderson says it pretty well!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQAPMRpNoe8&feature=related]

~CIAO

Charley

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

~CIAO

Charley

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93Ehw8wUrGY]

P.S.  Its not Shaun, this time..

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

On Saturday, I spent all day at church.  I was working as hospitality coordinator for the God-Song 2008 Songwriters Conference.  I was responsible for organizing the food and snacks for the whole day.  For breakfast it was a standard continental breakfast, and for lunch it was everybody’s favorite, Chic Fil-A.  I had snacks out all day while the conference was going on.

It was at lunch that my wife Kathy and I experienced just how good God can be.  When we had first gotten married, we had become friends with a couple down the hall, Susanna and Michael, after a year or so, they had moved out of the building and we had lost contact.  It was at lunch on Saturday that we were reunited.  We got to see their kids, and they met my daughter for the first time.  Some would say its a small world, which compared to the kingdom of God it is, but He brought us to the same place for a reason, I’m sure of it.  On one of my breaks, I went and joined the family and friends for a celebration for 2 very special babies.  It was good to get to spend some time and get to know some of these families better.

Sunday was kind of a busy day.  We went to Worship at 10:00, did Sunday chores and went to a 79th Birthday party for a real good friend.  I also found out that I was selected to participate in the 40 Day Fast.  Being a new blogger, I am super excited to do this.  More on this later..

~CIAO 

Charley

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

If you follow me on facebook or twitter, you would know that I posted that I was working my final Red Cross Waterfront Festival this past weekend. The other multitude of experiences from the weekend will be the subject of a future blog post. Trust me, some really good stuff to talk about..

My job for the weekend was to be the runner. The runner’s job is to play chauffeur to all of the bands coming in, driving them around from the airport, to the hotel, to the venue, and back again. Being a part time concert promoter I know this is always one of the hardest volunteer positions to fill because you don’t want it to be the “super fan”, the Mr. or Mrs Talky Pants or the person who doesn’t know their way around town. So, I fit the bill pretty well for this weekend, but I digress.

It was on one of these runs that I felt I was doing the Work of God, but didn’t even realize it until a couple of days later. I was taking a member of one of the bands back to his hotel, and there was just the typical small talk about what I do for a living and what not and when I said I do 2 christian rock radio shows he was taken aback. He had never heard christian rock even though he had grown up a christian. He was telling me about how he had brittle bone disease as a kid and that his church was really supportive of him while he was growing up, and that he had gotten away from the church after many years. I told him that one of Sierra’s best friends has the same disease.

His voice had started to get somewhat softer and he was also telling me that he had recently started feeling drawn back to the church and a deeper relationship with God. I asked him if he remembered the story of the shepherd and the last sheep, and reminded him that as that shepherd rejoiced when the lost sheep was found, God will rejoice when he comes back to a relationship with Him. I didn’t say it before, but I was having a rough day, didn’t sleep for but 4 hours and when I was feeling weak and weary, I was doing the work of God and didn’t even know it. Experiences like this make me want to talk more…..

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.