By Scott Coner
Nashville Recording Artist, Songwriter, Performer, and Author
About thirty years ago,
my life was on a very different path than it is now. I was living in downtown
Minneapolis going to a Christian college. I had been considering becoming a
full-time pastor, but my road changed itself right in the middle of my journey.
At the time, I was married to someone different. I was working through all
types of issues. And to say that I could have been doing things better would
have been an understatement. While living in the middle of a world I didn’t fit
in; I had been writing and recording in a studio downtown on Hennepin Street. I
honestly don’t remember the specifics, but I ended up sending a demo to a man
in Nashville. Somewhere in that time period, we recorded an album on a small
gospel label, and a single came off the record. I had written the entire album,
but this song was about my own salvation. It was titled, “Jesus All the Way.”
The little song was put on a “CD sampler” that carried one song of each artist
on the label at the time. “Jesus All the Way” began opening doors for me all
over the country, but I believe Marty Smith may have been the driving force
behind everything at the time. As a matter of fact, if it hadn’t been for this
man, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do now.
I’ll never forget the
first time I spoke to Marty. I came back to the apartment every afternoon in
between classes. I’d have some oatmeal and watch “Batman” on television. (I
realize this is a bit lame, but it is what was happening) My phone rang, and it
was Marty Smith. He told me right away that we were live on his radio program
and my song was getting heavy rotation in Missouri. I don’t remember much of
the conversation, but I will always hold that phone call in my mind. It gave me
a chance. It endorsed my hopes and dreams. Because of Marty, things began to
change for me. I will never be able to thank him nearly enough for playing my
music. He is just one of those friends that I don’t talk too often, but I know
he is there if I need to talk. Marty could have gone many directions in radio.
But, he stayed in Christian Country. This is where his heart was. I think he
did the right thing. Marty is making a difference these days. His show is
growing. People recognize his voice. And I know without a doubt that there have
been untold numbers of people that found hope simply because of my friend Marty
Smith. Marty built his legacy on the Word of God. He has been true to his
calling. He has worked many bitter and hard hours doing what was necessary to
allow him to continue his mission.
Marty is the kind of man I
hope to be. He has stayed the course even when all of the odds were stacked up
against him. I spoke with him several years ago on the phone. I was sitting on
my porch after dark when I received the call. He told me everything that was
going on, and like a fool, I recommended that he move away from the Christian
market. I am so glad he had the good sense not to listen to me. The internal
politics of the Christian Country market
had caused a great deal of pain for him, but he stayed the course. He had a
vision, and he knew who had given him the plan. I wish we were all a bit more
like him.
Below, I am including
some questions that Marty was kind enough to answer. At the end of the
interview, we have provided some information on Marty’s radio programs. I hope
you will look him up. I hope you will reach out to him and tell him, “Scott
sent me”...
My interview with Marty Smith:
(Possibly the very best radio personality today.)
1. Obviously, God blessed you with the perfect radio voice, but what
initially led you towards a career in radio?
You know, Scott, it's funny.
I never thought I really had this great radio voice, but people kept telling me
that I had this incredible voice.
Because of people's comments about my voice, I thought a career in radio
might be fun. I tried for years to get
into radio, but no one would take me.
One day, I walked into this radio station and asked if they were hiring. They asked if I had any radio
experience. When I told them no they
slammed the door in my face. I went
ahead and went into the station and filled out an application. I remember going home and praying,
"Lord, I quit! If this is what you
want, then you're gonna’ have to make it happen". Five days later that station called me and
told me they were looking for an on-air announcer. I went back for an interview, and they told
me since I had no experience they were hesitant to hire me. I offered to work free for a month to see if
would work out. I needed the experience,
and they needed help. The station owner
gave me a chance. That was 26 years
ago. I've been in radio every since.
2. Do you see any positive trends in the Christian Country market?
For instance, are artists selling product on line and in Christian stores? Are
businesses getting behind this market? etc…
Yes, I do. In this digital
age, it's easier to sell your product.
Back in the day, the artist had to send out cassettes and CDs. Today, they can send out electronic press
kits, and it's cheaper to do so. With iTunes,
CD Baby, Amazon and artist websites, it's easier to sell. I don't see much product in physical stores
these days for this genre of music, but online sales seem to be easier for the
artist to sell their music compared to the old days. Hopefully, as on-line sales continue to grow
more, businesses will get behind this genre of music and grow it even more.
3. You and I have known each other for 25 years or so by now. We
have both been pummeled once or twice. What has kept you on your path? Have the
hard times promoted personal growth in your life?
We sure have Scott. We've
called each other through some tough times to help each other out. I can't thank you enough for that. I think we
can all look back and see a time or two where we've been pummeled by who we
thought were our friends. Life can sure
throw you a curve sometimes. I remember
at one point I had lost everything. I
didn't know if I would ever bounce back.
The only thing that has kept me on my path is my faith in God. I know He has called me into radio and that's
why I do what I do. There were times
that I just wanted to quit, but I'm thankful for a Godly wife who has supported
me over the years and has never let me quit.
During the toughest times in my radio career, she's been my main
support. I'm so thankful for her! To be
honest, those toughest times in my life are when I have grown the most
spiritually. God has been with me every
step of the way even when I didn't think He was there. I've learned that even though radio is my
calling in life, my relationship with Christ is the most important thing in my
life. Without Him, I'm nothing.
4. Where do you see Christian Country headed these days? Do you feel
like the new administration and the fact that conservative thinking is finally trending
again that people may turn towards Christian music/thinking/ etc.?
I do see room for growth in Christian Country music. The new administration has definitely made
its impact on the world today. Where
that will lead, we'll soon find out.
We've seen some tough times over the years. I think the conservative trend will help this
genre of music out a lot. People are
looking for hope. They're looking for
something that they can listen to that gives them hope. This music does just that.
5. How many markets are you currently working in? Are you seeing
consistent growth?
My morning show simulcasts on twelve different radio stations. I also own several other internet radio
stations which simulcasts Heaven's Country.
And I'm the host of the internationally syndicated radio show,
"Today's Cross Country," which airs on over 50 different radio
stations each week. The show plays in
Ireland, Canada, England and all over the United States. It's been a lot of hard work, but I'm please
with how it's turned out for me.
6. You have been awarded several awards recently. Can you elaborate?
I've been in Christian Country radio from the beginning. I've been blessed with over thirty radio
awards, including the Inspirational Country Music Radio Personality of the Year
award and the International Country Gospel Music Association's Bob Wilson Radio
Radio Personality of the Year award. My
station, Heaven's Country has won the Radio Station of the Year award several
times as well. It's very humbling when
your peers feel you're worthy of such prestigious awards.
7. Tell us about your family:
My wife and I live in Durango, CO.
We have two dogs, Bear and Max and a cat, Moon. Our daughters are grown and living on their
own. They live in Colorado Springs, Knoxville,
TN and Pheonix, AZ.
8. You are the reason I began to have at least some success in
Christian Country. Do you remember calling me at college and telling me, “Jesus
All the Way” was doing well in Missouri? That was a very important moment for
me.
Thank you, Scott. I remember
making that call. I was working at KEXS
AM 1090 in Kansas City, MO. The song is
so pure and true. It did make number one
on my Top 20 chart back then. I love
hearing you sing. You have such a
gift! Not only was I blessed when I
first heard that song, but it was the beginning of a great friendship that you
and I have had over the years.
9. Give us a brief overview of you:
I started my radio career in 1990 at a small AM station in Kansas
City, MO. The owner later told me that
the reason he hired me is that I had drive.
He saw a fire in my eyes that he hadn't seen in awhile. In 1993, I moved to Denver, CO and began
working at KLZ AM 560. I worked there
for several years and then went on to work at KWBI 91.1 FM in 1995. I was soon hired to work in Colorado Springs,
CO at KBIQ 102.7 FM. I worked for a man
named Ken Sasso. He was a radio genius. He taught me so much. In 1995, I syndicated my radio show,
"Cross Country" (Now known as Today's Cross Country). In 2011 I started Heaven's Country
(www.heavenscountry.com), an internet radio station that broadcasts
worldwide. I spend most of my time
working on the radio station, and I write several articles for various
magazines in this industry on a quarterly basis. I also spend a lot of time mentoring several
different radio disc jockeys who are in this industry. 10. What advice do you generally have to
share with people that tell you they want to get into radio?
The first thing I tell anyone who wants to be in radio is to make
sure you know this is your calling. If
you are in this for yourself, you won't get very far. Be sure to put your audience before you. This
is not about you. Also, when you're on
the air, have fun! If you're not having
fun, your audience won't have fun. They
can tell when they listen. One more
thing, give it the best you've got.
Strive for excellence. People
know quality when they hear it. If
you're not giving your best, your audience can tell. When I first started my radio career, I had
no idea where it would take me. People
today call me an overnight success. As
my friend, Terri Gibb would say, "It's been a long night"! I have had more fun with this than I could
have ever dreamed I would. And somehow,
it's only the beginning. Here's to
another 26 years!
Thank you,
Marty Smith
Morning Host
Heaven's Country!
Take It From The Top!
Host of Today's Cross Country
The Truth Is In The Music!
