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Radio One Praise Stations Announce JERRY SMITH As New Content Director

Radio One Praise Stations Announce JERRY SMITH As New Content DirectorEver wondered who decides which artists gets played on the radio? Getting radio airplay in large markets and on Gospel only ‘Praise’ stations is much harder than you think. Even popular artists can wait six months are longer to get their single picked up. Leading the majority of the market share in 24 hour terrestrial Gospel radio is Radio One, and behind the scenes the entertainment giant has been shuffling the deck at the top.

Jerry Smith will now hold the position of Inspirational Content Director, and becomes one of the go to execs managing format and programming decisions nationally. Smith was previously the program director for local Praise station The Light 103.9 in North Carolina.

Smith had this to say about his promotion:

“I am so humbled and thank our Sr. V.P. of Programming Jay Stevens for this opportunity and Jay putting his trust in me to manage these precious radio stations.”

“I have had so many people in my career that have sowed into me and my professional growth. They saw something special me many years ago and I am happy for them to see the harvest for the seeds they sowed. I give GOD the Glory Honor and the Praise because it is from God where all blessings flow.”

In January, Radio One (affiliated with TV One) announced that they were parting ways with former Operations Manager Elroy Smith. Now Jerry Smith will take over the helm, and he has his work cut out for him.

Radio One Praise Stations Announce JERRY SMITH As New Content DirectorWhen Radio One announced 24 hour Gospel Praise stations nearly a decade ago, the Gospel fans responded with increased yearly ratings for the network. Now it’s being reported that ratings have slipped in recent years, which directly affects advertising profit.

One of Smith’s tasks will be to decide what to do with traditional Gospel music and quartet. Legendary artists release singles and complain frequently to anyone that will hear them that they can’t get airtime. Airtime can significantly affect the success of an album. In recent years Radio One has moved away from traditional and he’l need to decide if the audience is there to keep Gospel’s founding genre in heavy rotation.

A similar chore will await the 28 year radio veteran when he takes a fresh look at Gospel rap/hip hop. The genre has grown to have several artists frequently stay in the top 10 of the Billboard charts, largely without Praise station help. It will be interesting to hear Smith’s comments here on getting the genre spins.

Smith will undoubtedly give the new promotion his all, and optimism for change now ripples through the Gospel community.

PATH Publisher Kris Patrick adds “I’ve known Jerry for many years now, and I think he’l do a magnificent job. Congratulations Jerry!”

ABOUT JERRY SMITH:

Radio One Praise Stations Announce JERRY SMITH As New Content DirectorJerry Smith is a 28 year radio veteran who has also worked in television and radio. Through out his radio career Jerry has worked in numerous music formats such as Classic Rock, Top 40, AC, Gospel, Urban Contemporary, Hip Hop, Urban AC and Oldies. In 2001 Jerry was awarded The Drummer Award for Program Director of the Year by BRE Magazine. He was the first Gospel Program Director to ever win the award in the awards 25-year history. Jerry also is the operations manager of the Radio One Inspirational format properties throughout the country. In 2002 Jerry was awarded the Gospel Truth Magazine National Gospel Program Director of the year. In 2003 WNNL, The Light 103.9 programmed by Jerry was a finalist for the NAB Marconi Award for Religious station of the year. In 2004 WNNL under Jerry’s leadership WNNL was the winner of the 2004 NAB Marconi Award for Religious station of the year. In 2005 Jerry was named as co-winner of the first ever Radio and Records Gospel Program Director of the Year Award. Jerry was a finalist for Radio and Records Gospel Program Director of the Year for 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2010 Jerry was nominated for a Stellar Award for radio Personality of The Year. Jerry is on the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Radio Cares Advisory Counsel and is a member of Toastmasters International. Jerry was born in Danbury, Connecticut. He is happily married with two daughters and a grand daughter. His hobbies are basketball, reading, landscape design and he loves to listen to music. The person he admires most is his mother Rev. Margie L. Smith. It is through her prayers and guidance that he is the person he is today.


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