This will be the last blog to be posted on this site. Many of you have been my friend due to being a listener on various radio stations I've been on over the years. That would also mean many of you know me as "PK". I want to thank you again for all you support and loyal listening! As the past couple of blogs have explained, I have made the decision to walk away from the whole "PK" shtick.
It's time for me to be me. Who's that? Not too sure yet. I know my name is Matt! I'm a father. I'm a Christian. I guess what I mean is it's different to actually focus on my life without worrying about what others might think! I was such a Stupid Boy in the past. For years I've always considered what effect any decision I made in my personal life would have on my career as "PK". That no longer is an issue!
I now worry about Matt. I worry about my son. I worry about being a true and loyal friend to those who God has brought into my life! So that's the reason I decided to create a new MySpace site. This site will display more of Matt. Who ever that is I mean! So if you are interested in joining me on this journey, feel free to add me as a friend. You are all invited to be apart of Matt's new MySpace Family!
You'll find my new site as my number one friend on my top friend list on this site or just go straight to it from here! www.myspace.com/mattbaldridge God Bless all of you and I hope to hear from you soon.
How's everyone? I hope doing well. I find my heart very heavy this morning so I figured it was time for another blog! Seriously, I already was suffering from a heavy burden this morning. I signed into MySpace, read all the messages I had waiting for me and emotions have overwhelmed me. Let's address some of the most commonly asked questions first and then I'll address my fathers day weekend!
How Are You And Leslie?
Some of you have seen on her site that she's "in a relationship" and assume that her and I are back together. I've even got happy messages from people thinking my prayers were answered and she's given me a second chance! As much as I'd like that to be case, it is not. She is actually dating someone else! I'm sure you can imagine that this has made things even harder on me but I'd rather not share any other feelings concerning this right now.
Have You Found Another Job?
Yes! Well, sort of. I am currently working full-time for After Hours Productions, a company that I've actually worked for part-time over the past few years. The position was "created" for me, so I'm not too sure if it's going to be for good. It's more of a trial run to see if it's right for me and the company!
Do You Miss Radio Yet?
No, I don't. Not even a bit! I'm actually having trouble forgiving myself for the wasted time I spent in radio instead of on my relationship with God, Leslie and Family. What I miss is the peace and happiness that I gave radio up for. At the moment I feel like I've lost EVERYTHING! In previous blogs I've mentioned how Leslie pointed out my weaknesses in areas where "PK" was getting in the way of who God really wanted me to be.
One of those areas was that I needed to spend more time with family and friends plus worship! Well here I am with plenty of time on my hands and yet I arrive each evening to an empty house. I miss having the opportunity to come home and fix dinner together with her. I miss having someone to share my life with. I can't believe that I chose my career over those special moments and now it appears it's "too little too late"!
Have You Thought About Being A Youth Pastor?
Wow. Many of you have asked this question. I have thought about this a lot actually and here's some food for thought... after reading my blogs, would you trust me to lead your son or daughter?!? Leslie scolded me for not being a good father and she had a right to! So I doubt I could lead a bunch of teens. I'm too weak to be a leader. I'm not strong enough in my own faith to then turn around and ask someone to do the same!
I also do not have the education that is required of a position like that. Many of you assume I went to college and I have a degree in something! Nope, I'm a high school graduate and that's about it. I'm lucky to even have my high school diploma! So, thanks for the suggestion, but at this moment in time I don't believe God has that in store for me.
Let me add one thing though. Recently I had dreamed that Leslie and I would become Children Pastors someday! We both love church and children. That thought was exciting to me. As you know, those dreams have taken a stormy path. But for what it's worth, I could see me working in some sort of ministry in God's time. My prayer is that when I do, I have a strong woman of faith to share that with!
How Can I Find Your New MySpace Page?
It's not quite ready yet. I'm actually VERY excited about it though. It's going to be a very well rounded site to introduce MATT! I've got tons of never before released pictures and more. I'll post a blog soon with a link once it's online!
Are You Still Waiting For Leslie?
Again, I'd rather not share any other feelings concerning this right now but I've already had some of you try to play match maker so I wanted to address this question. YES! The commitments I made during my relationship were not only to Leslie but also to myself and God. Some of you think it's a waste of time. I'd rather give you an example of why I feel I should stay true to my heart...
Many times I've heard of people giving their lives to Jesus. The first few weeks afterward they are on fire for Christ and things are great! But then there's that first test. You know, something bad happens. Many at that point run back to their old ways and never return back to God! You have to ask the question at this point... did they actually give their life to Jesus?
Now compare that to my heart for Leslie. Did I really give my heart to Leslie? I made some life long commitments to her. Ones that I do not regret! It was easy to keep these promises when I had her waiting for me at the end of each day. But I feel my hearts being tested to see how real it is. Does my heart long to still keep these commitments during the bad times too?
The past month I've made some major life changing decisions and as much as I wanted Leslie to walk beside me during this time, it's just been me and God and I'm ok with that! But I still cry out to God each night to deliver me from this pain and loneliness. That He either takes away my heart for her or that He would grant me just one more chance to love her the way He intended me to love her from the beginning. With that kind of burning desire still in my heart, you can imagine that I'm not really looking to be set up with anyone else. I'm only looking for friends who want to know Matt!
Fathers Day Weekend...
As you can tell, It has been a very troubling time for me lately. Fathers Day couldn't have came at a worse time I suppose! First of all, if you didn't know, my own father passed away three years ago. So he was heavy on my mind! I tend to fall apart if I think about him for very long at all. I miss him, but in way's most of you wouldn't understand. If you've ever been around me when he's crossed my mind, chances are you've seen the emotion that overwhelms me.
As my son slept in the car yesterday I had one of those moments when I thought of my dad and no one was there to share it with me! I longed to be held and told everything was alright. I guess that's not what God wanted though. It seems as if He only wants me to cry out to Him! That is fine but I feel things are one way right now. I share with Him my heart and soul but then as I sit and listen it seems kind of quiet. I pray for peace and I'm still waiting!
Another reason Fathers Day was hard on me is my very own son, Christian. As I spent the day with him I worried about the day that will come when he will ask me "what was wrong with mommy"? She and I are divorced and I'm sure this will be something that has to be addressed with him someday!
It's very weird for me to be sharing such a day with him but not his mom. What was wrong with mom? Someday I'm going to have to explain that it wasn't mom... it was DAD! God, I've never lived with more regret than I have in the past few days. Don't you ever wish that whole "sea of forgetfulness" or whatever it is worked for us here on earth to?!?
Finally, I have to confess, it killed me to be in worship and notice the girl whom I wish to be the father of her future family sitting far away from me! Someday I long to be a father again. Never have I had such a desire to be the provider and head of household for another as I have for Leslie. So many of my friends wish this pain would go away so I could be fun to hang around again but I can't help it! As I said earlier, I cry out to God to deliver me from this pain or to give me a second chance and all I've heard so far is... _________________?!?
Believe it or not, I'm going to end this blog on a happy note! I will continue to praise Him through this storm. I know there are brighter days ahead! I place my faith in the things unseen. God has brought many friends into my life that has put up with me and prays for me. To all of you who have shared my burden the past month even when it got annoying, THANK YOU!!!
Have a great week,
Matt
P.S. If you haven't yet, check out the pics I posted of Christian and I on Father's Day!
Currently
listening
:
Still Rainin'
By
Jonny Lang
Release date: 29 September, 1998
It is with deep sorrow that I inform you the following! I turned in my resignation to Z 92.5 yesterday. After much prayer (seriously yelling out to God at times) I have come to the conclusion that I no longer can perform in the career field of broadcasting! I leave Z 92.5 on great terms (the best I have ever left a station) and I wish them the best of luck as they continue on towards being #1 in South Georgia.
I desired to be on the radio ever since I was a little boy. At home, during troubled times when I was a kid, I would find an escape from the pain by listening to different DJ's on air! I was kind of a weird kid you could say. Most people turn the radio dial when they hear a DJ or a commercial. Not me! I loved hearing the creativeness and humor of the local DJ's. It brought me joy and I knew someday that I would be a DJ too!
So I guess you could say God rewarded me my hearts desire to be in broadcasting. In 1998, after many part-time and internship type of work over my high school years, I landed my first "gig" at a local Christian station! The rest is history. Never did I think a day would come where my heart was actually not in radio. Unfortunately, that day has come!
To be in the career field of radio, you must have strong character. If not, the enemy can use this career field to break you down. As a radio personality, it's easy to get a big head. Ego, Pride, Jealousy, and even Lying can become MAJOR issues if you can't handle it correctly. I know many DJ's who are able to do their on air shift and then go back home to their wives, family and so on. Not me!
When Hook FM signed off in October of last year, I found myself out of a job for what became the longest period of time during my broadcasting career. During that time, I had the opportunity to date a young lady by the name of Leslie! She ended up winning my heart. Not the big headed PK heart... MY HEART! Never had I felt a love as the love her and I shared. She cared for me! She cared for my son! She made me feel like somebody without having to be PK. I finally found true love and it was not in my career that I found that peace, it was with her!
As many of you know by my previous blog called "Confessions", I lost Leslie a little over three weeks ago. As I explained in that blog, things got out of hand and it can all be traced back to one thing! Our problems got worse in a hurry when I was hired at Z 92.5. I'm not blaming her for me leaving this career. NO, this is not a desperate move to win her back. I am just putting my words into action. I told her that I would walk away from it all, not only for her, but also for my son and myself! Sure, I cry out to God every night to bring Leslie back into my arms. I'm keeping faith that someday that will come to pass. But either way, radio was killing me!
It's kind of like a gun. A gun in the right person's hand can be a great tool. A tool to defend yourself and your family with at night. A tool to go hunt with. That kind of good stuff! A gun in the wrong person's hand can be a tool used for harm. A tool used to murder. So you see, it's not the gun but the PERSON that matters.
I think the career of radio is an awesome opportunity when you have the self-control to not make it "your god". I didn't have that self-control! I always seem to put radio ahead of everything in my life. Even when my heart didn't mean to! The enemy has used radio to rob me of my blessing time after time after time. I always overlooked it by saying to myself, "I'm just using my God given talent"! No, I'm not. It was not God's will for me to become who I became as PK. I totally did a 180 on Leslie just as I have SO MANY others in my past. It's time for that to stop!
I want to be Matt. I want to be the father my son deserves. I want to be able to pay my bills each month and work just enough to accomplish that! I want out of the spotlight. I want out of the pressure to be someone other than me. I want to worship more, play more and enjoy life, as God would like us to do! I'm scared because I don't know where to go from here, but God asks us to walk by FAITH and not by SIGHT. Like that old hymn sang in church... "Where ever He leads, I'll go!"
I live in the Tifton area so if you know of any job openings that you feel I might be a good fit for, please leave me a comment and I'll get back with you! I will be putting a new MySpace site together over the next few days and when it's finished I'll post a new blog about it. If you desire to keep up with MATT than you'll be welcome to add me as a friend and all that kind of stuff!
I will miss radio. I thank you all for allowing me into your workplace, your cars and your homes or where ever you listened! I pray that you'll understand that I finally found true love and when you find that kind of love, it motivates you to love yourself as well. I'm not PK. I'm Matt, a child of God who needs a lot of help!
I promise this blog will not become a "book" like the last one! I just wanted to write a quick note to catch you up on my life. It seems many of you have formed an opinion (whether good or bad) about me after reading my last blog. Some have taken the time to help encourage and pray while others have used it as an opportunity to continue to tear me down and gossip. I'm ok with both! After all, at least you cared enough to read the blog and I made you think about life for a moment.
I've decided to take a break and refocus on some things. No, I'm still VERY dedicated to the commitments I made to the one I love whom I spoke about in my last blog! I'm so overwhelmed with life that I can't seem to do anything for very long without breaking down and losing it. For those of you in the Z 92.5 listening area, be sure to tune in for Peter McLaine as he takes my place for a little while in the afternoons. Also, be listening for more information about Rick and Bubba's visit to Tifton coming soon!
I leave you with four of my favorite videos. I've found myself watching these videos OFTEN as a way for me to focus on God and lift my spirit plus remain faithful to promises I made to myself and the one I love. I hope they bless you as much as it blesses me! Please keep in touch. I'll be checking my MySpace as often as I can!
What an exhausting two weeks it has been. It all began when my son got Leslie sick! You see, on the weekends that my son get's to spend with me, Leslie often has been the primary care giver due to my hectic schedule as a Moblie DJ. Due to this, she caught a virus that Christian apparently had!
So as day's past, I caught the virus from Leslie and my body didn't handle it too well. It finally took Leslie taking me to the hospital before we were able to turn my health around and get me better! As I was rebounding, I got a call from my son's mother informing me that Christian was admitted into the hospital for that same virus!
As I sit here today, I'm glad to report that all three of us are in better health and I thank God for that! I also sit here today to state that although the above mentioned is the reason for my absence at work and the reason why I've been off the air, I have a greater burden that is weighing on my heart as I type this! One that I feel will not let me go until I confess to everyone that I can what's on my mind.
You know, when you put yourself in the spotlight as I do so often, people watch your every move. Especially when you confess Christ as your savior and go by the name "PK The Preachers Kid"! You are held to a higher standard. I am seen as a leader. Parents expect me to set a good example! Well I'm here to tell you that I've failed all of the above.
I am not as strong of a Christian as I act like. I am not a saint as I appear to be at times. I have many dark secrets that I struggle with. I have a past that I do not talk about to many people. I have pain that I suppress deep down and avoid. I have lied at times to people that I care about the most. I have failed Christ and I feel that I've hit rock bottom!
If I was as strong of a Christian as my dad was, I would have not turned to alcohol last Thursday night as I did. If I was as strong of a Christian as I know I could be, I would not have a temper problem as I do. If I was as strong of a Christian as God has called me to be, I would have the love of my life still in my arms today!
For those of you who may not know, I am a single father, a divorced single father. A divorced single father who is trying to make the right decisions for his son's future! I also am still struggling with the loss of my father. Being a father now, along with all the questions and problems that come with being one, it makes me long for my fathers advice. Unfortunately he passed away two years ago! I long for him to be here today.
I also am a man in love. If only I knew how to display that love! I found the most beautiful soul in a girl named Leslie. She was everything I dreamed of in a girl and more! She didn't view my son as baggage. She treated him as a blessing! She pushed me to be a better person. She brought joy to my life. She brought feelings to my heart that I thought I could never feel toward another!
Unfortunately, at times, I did not express those feelings in my actions. I have a terrible temper. When I feel pain in my heart, I suppress that pain and allow anger to cover it up. There have been times that Leslie has hurt me and instead of being open and honest about that pain, I have yelled at her and treated her in a way that no lady deserves to be treated.
To complicate matters, I am a workaholic. I love my job. Radio is my passion. I feel that it's the talent God gave me. But I realize that even though it's my talent, it can become my "god" if I don't put it in the right place in my life. I let my career consume me at times. I feel like I'm someone when I'm on air. I feel like I'm making a difference when I am at work. I really need to know when to say to myself, "Alright, you've put in a good day's work, now time to be a father, time to spend some time in worship, time to spend time with the ones you love"!
I know right from wrong. I just find myself always coming up short. Leslie and I have been apart now for over a week! I can't seem to get her to listen to my heart face to face, so I figured that maybe going world wide with it would be another way to reach her. Actually, this is much bigger than just Leslie. There are many of you who over the years I have failed also!
I have not been the best friend I could be. I have said I would pray for you and then forgot to do so. I have preached one message and lived another. The list goes on and on. I ask you to forgive me. I ask you to give me another chance. Please don't put me on this high pedestal. Please don't look at me for direction. Look at Him... Christ... the One who died for you. It's His grace that set's us all free. It's His blood who covers us when we fail!
To Leslie, I feel God brought us together for a special purpose. I feel that you are a gift from Him! I know that I have failed you in many way's, but death has not taken us away from each other. Today is a new day! God is bigger than all of our problems and I am not too prideful to not admit that I am weak in certain areas of my life.
I do love radio. I do love entertainment. I feel many of my MySpace friends would agree that I'm good at it. But my career does not come before you Leslie. It does not come before my son. I may have let it at times but I promise you that I'm willing to put my priorities in the right order.
I want to worship with you more. I want to spend more quality time with you. I want to be a better man for you and Christian and the rest of my friends and family! I want you to be the mother of my unborn children. Christian needs a brother or sister! :) I have never been more willing to share with the world my feelings about another.
I know you have heard about me being a player in the past. In my career field, it's very tempting to flirt when you get the attention that I do. But this is different. This is real. I've never been more open about a relationship as I have ours and it's because in my heart, you are the one! I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to supply your needs, stand beside you through the ups and downs!
Please don't let my weaknesses overshadow our love. God has done some amazing things in our relationship. We have shared memories that will last us a lifetime. Please don't walk away from that. Give me a second chance. I will do better. Not just because I'm torn apart without you, but because God hears my cries and knows my heart and will be my strength to become a better man!
For the rest of my MySpace family. I love you all. If you've taken the time to be a friend, you probably know "PK" somehow. I'm just here to confess that there's a lot that goes on "off the mic" than you hear "on the mic". Pray for the "whole" PK. Over time I hope that more of the "off the mic PK" comes across the "on the mic PK". I'm tired of secrets! I'm tired of being two people. I want to be a better follower of Christ, a better father, a better entertainer, a better friend, and Leslie if you will allow it, your future husband!
Feel free to comment among yourselves about this. In no way am I looking for pity or attention. I just wanted to pour my heart out and ask for you all to help in any way you can!
As always, thanks for visiting my MySpace page. Please spread the word so our MySpace family will continue to grow! Many of you have messaged me asking for an update on how life is going and although I wish I could respond in a more personal "one on one" message, time has not allowed it. So please except my apology as I attempt to use this blog as a "mass" update and I look forward to more personal contact in the near future! Please don't be a hater when you see me rollin'...
Most of you know by now that I've taken the Program Director position at WKZZ "Z 92.5" in South Georgia. If you live in South Georgia and are within the reach of my new station, then I encourage you to check out my new show each weekday afternoon from 2p - 7p. For those of you outside the listening area, I have exciting news! Coming soon will be the ALL NEW Z 92.5 WEBSITE: www.z925online.com. You will be able to listen online and more!
One of the many tasks that come with my new position is to get the word out about the new station. One of the best ways to do so is to get a new station vehicle! Thanks to partners such as Jessie's Paint and Body and LB's Audio of Tifton, a new station vehicle is becoming a reality. Coming soon will be the all new "yet to be named" Z 92.5 vehicle! It will NOT look like this...
In other news, I have relocated "sorta" back to Tifton. I say "sorta" because a lot of my stuff is still in Warner Robins! I've been too busy to move. UGH! Speaking of Warner Robins, I miss ALL OF YOU in the Middle Georgia area. I have not forgot you! I'm currently looking for a station to work for up there too. Stay tuned. Oh, one more thing. I am happily in love! Her name is Leslie and she has brought so much joy to my life. Don't you worry, I'm still the sexiest dj on the radio...
I guess that's it for now folks! Please leave comments and all that other good MySpace stuff letting me know you stopped by. I do my best to update this site daily so check back often and spread the word about The All New Z 92.5!!!
Peace.
PK
Currently
listening
:
Portable Sounds
By
Tobymac
Release date: 20 February, 2007
Can you believe the last time I blogged was on November 24th of LAST YEAR. Oh my, I am so sorry! Seriously, I will do better now. Things have just been so BUSY since then. Let me catch you up! Back in October, after four years of working with Three Trees Communications, (Hook FM's Parent Company) I found myself looking for my next "radio home". I was the General Manager of Three Trees Communications, which operated five radio stations in the Middle Georgia and South Georgia area. The decision was made to downsize and the "Hook FM" stations were sold to K-Love.
As you can imagine, it has been very tough for me the past few months. I enjoyed playing "Positive Hit Music" the past four years but the opportunity to be employed by a radio station that had the same goals and sound as "Hook FM" was not an option. As many of you have learned, K-Love is a satellite delivered station that has no local presence in the area. They don't know Middle or South Georgia, nor do they care too, yet they ask you to support them with your money... HA!
Sorry, I'm getting off track. After much thought and prayer, I've made the decision to call South Georgia home again! This brings me closer to my son, Christian, and it marks my return to the air in an area that I've grown to love so much. You can now find me on Z 92.5!
No, Z 92.5 is not a Christian formatted station, but it is safe for you to enjoy in your car with the family! We play "The Best of the 80's, 90's and Now" plus we are home to Rick and Bubba in the Morning. Those guys are devout Christians and I'm excited to join the on air line up too! So if you are in the Albany, Tifton, or Valdosta area, be sure to check me out weekday afternoons from 2p - 7p on Z 92.5!
God Bless,
PK
Currently
listening
:
White and Nerdy
By
Weird Al Yankovic
Release date: 01 February, 2007
If you've read my past few blogs, you know that they were written with painful emotion during not so great times in my life. You'll be glad to know that this blog is actually going to be quite different! Not because everything has turned for the better and everything is great. It's because of a whole different attitude I'm taking based on this scripture my dad often quoted:
Luke 9:10 (NKJV) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."
The general idea here is simple. Be thankful in the little and God will add unto it. Why? Because you have proven to be content with what God has given you so He knows you can handle even greater things! If you are not thankful for what you currently have then how can He trust that you will be better with more?
The bible is filled with scipture encoraging us to be content with what we currently have:
Heb 13:5 (RSV) "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have."
Ps 37:7,16 (NAS) "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way... Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked."
Prov 23:4-5 (NIV) "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."
Ok, so I know what you're thinking. Why is PK going off and preaching? Trust me, I'm not one who should be preaching at anyone. I guess I just wanted to encourage you to find freedom as I have this Thanksgiving Season in taking a different look at life. Instead of focusing on what I DON'T HAVE... I'm choosing to be thankful of what I DO HAVE!
The following is just a small and incomplete list of things I'm thankful for:
*** I'm thankful for my name is written in the Lambs Book Of Life! I know that whenever my life comes to an end here on earth I'm going to be getting my praise on in Heaven!
*** I'm thankful for having a beautiful and healthy son named Christian! What a joy he brings to my life everytime I get to see him. My prayer is that although I don't get to be in his life much, I still will be a great influence as a Godly man in his life!
*** I'm thankful for my mom, sister and the newest family member (my sisters husband) Nick! Although I didn't get to see you this Thanksgiving, I still love you all. Dad, I miss you and think of you often. I know I've done some things since you passed away that would have dissappointed you. Please know I'm doing everything I can to live my life as the man you raised me to be!
*** I'm thankful for my "adopted family", the Spires family. Jerry, Audrey, Cassondra, Brittany, Josh and Triston. Spending Thanksgiving with your family was... um... unique! Ha ha ha. Seriously, words can't express my gratitude for your hospitality. I love you too!
*** I'm thankful for my church home, Cross Point. I have met some great people and developed some great friendships the past few months. You all have become my strength in time of need. My prayer is that as I continue to rebuild my life, I will be able to stand beside you all and help in anyway I can the same way you have for me!
*** I'm thankful for Crystal. Wow, what a forgiving heart God must have given you. As many UPs and DOWNs that we have already faced, I'm so happy that you have not given up on me. It's great to be able to hear you laugh or share your tears and just to have you a phone call away brings me great peace. I hope you know that I'm here for you as well. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for being such a blessing.
*** I'm thankful for all my MySpace friends and family. The comments and messages of encouragement have been a HUGE help the past few months. I always look forward to signing on to MySpace and networking with you all!
Again, as easy as it is for us to look around and see what we don't have, I encourage you to take a moment to look around and see what we do have. You might realize you have a lot more than you think, just as I did this Thanksgiving Season!
95.3 / 102.1 Update And More
Current mood: worried
Whew!
Please except my apology for not posting a blog lately. It has been a long and crazy two weeks! I want to thank all of you who have left messages, comments or prayed for me since my last day on air. I know that I would not be as strong as I have been nor feel as peaceful in my spirit without your support! I wish I had the time to respond to each of you in person but I have been so busy. Trust me, I have read each and every message and comment that has been sent. Once things settle down and I discover what God has in store for me next, I will be sure to "catch up" with all of you in a more personal way. (You too Wendy!!!)
I have an update concerning the future of 95.3 and 102.1 Hook FM. It has been confirmed that as of November 1st, Three Trees Communications will be turning over the operations of Hook FM to EMF (the parent company of K-Love and Air-1). Now don't get me wrong. I happen to know that the common thought among the "powers that be" at Three Trees Communications is that this is good news that 95.3 and 102.1 will stay in the hands of Christian broadcasters. If you are not familiar with EMF's K-Love and Air-1 programming, they are Christian formats and you can learn more about them at www.klove.com and www.air1.com.
My problem is that neither K-love or Air-1 are local formats. There is no local DJ's... no local information... no fun... it's what I call "stale radio". One thing I strived to accomplish with Hook FM is to break the regular "Christian radio" mold and prove that Christianity is not boring... it's a blessing! This is why The Off The Hook Morning Show with JJ, Rachel and myself along with The Afternoon Hook Up with Nugget was so listener interactive. We wanted to include our listening audience and entertain you day in and day out with local news, weather, events and games! All of this is what I feel Middle and South Georgia were hungry for.
Why local advertisers did not back Hook FM is still a puzzle to me! We had the listeners. We had the right product on air. Yet businesses invested thousands of dollars into other stations that did not have near the local presence or number of listeners that Hook FM had. Again, I don't blame Three Trees Communications as much as I blame the local advertisers!!! Where were they? I have SO MANY people asking my why I can't just start another Hook FM on another station. The reason why is the other radio station owners in town will not take the chance and flip their format to Hook FM because they see how poorly it was supported by advertisers. Radio is a business and it takes money!
So what does this all mean? Not only is The Off The Hook Morning Show off the air, but as of November 1st, HOOK FM is off the air too! What a shame. Back to "boring and dry" Christian radio choices. No local presence. No way for local ministries to spread the word about their events. No fun and uplifting entertainment. No local employment for MANY who poured their lives into the business and ministry of Hook FM. Please add these staff members to your prayer list. Watching the people who I hired, trained, and developed close friendships with lose their jobs has brought much pain to my life. I wish I had a way to help them but I can barely help myself right now.
JJ, Rachel, Seth and JJ, Nugget, C-Dub, Cortni, Cazper, Kurt, Rick, Michel, Omar, Retro, Dot Net, Russell G., Beanie Man, Robin, Kelly, Natalie, Daphne and to anyone else who invested their time and effort for Hook FM, I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your good deeds. I pray that God blesses all of you as we continue our seperate ways. I hope that no matter what station I end up at next, I have the privilage to once again work with all of you in one way or another! Please stay in touch and forgive me for where I failed you as a General Manager. I gave my all.
To all of you who listened to Hook FM, THANK YOU!!! I have produced and posted two pieces of audio onto my MySpace page that I hope you will take time to listen to and enjoy. The first track is titled "PK Bad Day Remix". This is a remix I did of Daniel Powters hit song Bad Day. It features amazing sound clips from the last Off The Hook Morning Show. The second track is titled "A Look Back". This is a mix of some of the best of The Off The Hook Morning Show! I hope both tracks blesses you as much as it did me as I produced them.
I still have no "hot leads" as to where I'll end up next in this crazy career of radio. I welcome any leads and/or references! I've considered hanging it up and doing something else. I'm some what limited to where I can go due to my desire to stay near my son, Christian! I don't know what else I'd be good at though. Feel free to share any ideas you might have! Ha ha ha. On second thought, I might be scared to hear what you all might think I would be good at!
Either way, your comments and messages are always welcome! I hope to hear from you all soon. I'll keep my blog updated with the latest as new info becomes available. Thank you for your time and God bless!
Peace.
PK
Currently
listening
:
Bad Day
By
Daniel Powter
Release date: 11 July, 2006
The Off The Hook Morning Show
Current mood: frustrated
Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness that I announce my resignation from Three Trees Communications (102.1 Hook FM's parent company).Late Thursday night (09/28) I learned of some staff cuts that were about to be made Friday morning (09/29).I became deeply upset as I strongly disagreed with these cuts.Two of the staff cuts were members of my morning show.
It was asked of me to air "The Off The Hook Morning Show" on Friday with J.J. and Rachel and then Monday return to the air solo.With my heart heavy burdened, I shared the news to J.J. and Rachel right before we went on air Friday morning and then told them of my decision to also leave the company.The show that followed was one of the most powerful and emotional shows I've ever hosted.I want to thank EVERYONE who called in with their testimonies, well wishes, and prayers!
It's important to note that I do not harbor any ill feelings toward the owners of Three Trees Communications.Although I feel there were other options that could have been explored, I understand that it was a business decision and not a personal one.If anything, I place blame on business owners (both Christian and Non) who did not support 102.1 Hook FM.The station had a very loyal following and it's too bad that our advertising dollars coming in did not match the value of our stations format and programming.
So I guess the question now is:Where do I go from here?After four years with Three Trees Communications, I find myself "walking by faith" and "not by sight"!Due to my local family of friends and church home, I hope to find another radio (or TV) gig here in the Middle Georgia area.I am also entertaining the thought of moving but this would separate me even further from my son.That is another situation of it's own that I'm not ready to address.
In conclusion, I pray that someone steps up and saves 102.1 Hook FM.Even minus our morning show, it is a blessing and serves a need to the Middle Georgia area.Without advertiser support, the day will come soon that Hook FM will be no more.Please keep myself along with J.J. and Rachel in your prayers.I welcome any job leads too!
crushed
numb
hopeful
restless
nervous
busy
thankful
worried
frustrated
