Johnny V - The Boy, The Man, and The D.J. – An interview
Good Afternoon Johnny V,
Now that you have made the move, how does it feel to be home again and surrounded familiar faces and places?
With
a family as large as mine, and I’m sure the listeners heard me mention
that my mom was the oldest of 18 kids, which is why I probably ended up
as an only child sitting in a closet talking to myself on my pretend
radio station.
Many
know you as Johnny V. Some even know you as Johnny Vincent. But we all
would like to know you by your full name. So what is it J.V., who is
Johnny V, really?
My
full name is Johnny Vincent Clements. My grandfathers were named John
and Vincent so I wanted to honor them with the name Johnny Vincent, but
that eventually got shortened to Johnny V. by all of my co-workers when I
started in radio.
When and where were you born?
Born In Terre Haute, Indiana…June 15 1982
What
was growing up like for young Johnny V? Has faith always been a
motivating force in your life? Beside your religious influences, who in
your family was you greatest motivator?
As
an only child, I was with my parents a lot while they led the church
choir every week. From the time I was five, I sung Silent Night at every
midnight mass. I was always around when my parents had their adult
friends over for dinner parties. So, besides break dancing on the street
corners of Terre Haute, I grew up around adults, and I would have to say undoubtedly that both of my parents were my greatest motivators.
What
event in your like inspired you to become a radio announcer? How did
you know that this was the right decision (path) for you?
When
I was 6 years old, we got back from midnight mass and found our house
robbed. All of our gifts under the tree opened and gone. The house
ransacked. But, as we began cleaning up, I noticed a little gift box
that the robbers had missed and that it was for me. It was a Donnie and
Marie Osmond wireless microphone, which I used over and over. It was the
best gift I ever got for Christmas because it would allow me to talk
through the AM radio and pretend I was really on the radio. I was hooked
from there.
Which
radio broadcasting schools or academies do think prepares young
would-be announcers for life behind the mike? Which one did you attend
and why?
I went to Vincennes University between Evansville and Indianapolis, Indiana.
It’s one of the best broadcasting schools in the country with a five
student run radio stations and a student run TV station that would have a
local student operated newscast every night. When I was still in high
school, I was working in radio and gaining real world experience. After
making the dean’s list and tutoring 2nd year students at Vincennes University, I took a full time job in Evansville at a Country station because I realized that experience was much more important than education in the radio field.
How easy is it to be a radio announcer now as oppose to 10 – 15 years ago?
It’s
actually easier with the technology that assists you to do more as a
single operator. It changes for the better every year. 10-15 years ago,
you had to have a board operator, producer, many assistants, etc. With
today’s technology, I can sit in the studio alone and make a show sound
like there is a room full of people with me
Why
don’t radio announcers spent more than 4 hours behind the mike and what
kind of things do they do when off the air? Events? Fundraisers? ETC?
The
four-hour shift has a lot to do with the ratings system (ARBITRON)
which rates the shows by the following shifts: 6-10am / 10a-3pm / 3p-7p /
7p-12a, etc. So that is pretty much why they have continued to stay in
those slots. Off the air, as a program director, I wear many hats. I’m
involved in station promotions, music scheduling, meeting with the sales
team, doing live broadcasts on-site at businesses, charities, concerts,
etc. My day begins at 9am and ends around 7:30-8pm.
Have you ever consider another field of work? If so, what field and what do you find special about it?
I
have never actually thought about doing anything but a radio related
job. However, I would love to branch out someday so that I can reach
more people and let them know how great Christian music really is.
Why Christian music over mainstream music?
Because
of the vulgarity in mainstream music and the type of promotions and
events we were asked to do, it was a struggle to live the life I knew I
should be leading.
I
think Contemporary Christian music and some Country Christian music
make a good mix. What do you think? What’s your favorite mix?
I
use to work in Country music and a lot of the music was very positive
and uplifting. I think that there will be a Christian Country station if
not a daily segment on a radio station that will feature all Christian /
country music
Who are you favorite music artists?
Toby Mac, Skillet, Family Force 5, Michael W.Smith
How often do you log-on to Shoutlife.com? And do you interact with the regular members there?
Usually
a couple of times a week. I try to email the listeners back who take
time to email me. This keeps you on a personal level with your
listeners. This is one of the great things about the new technology. It
makes it easier to keep the “one-on-one” contact with your listeners.
At
101QFL, we have a relationship with Shoutlife. Our morning show host,
Darren Marlar, is the #1 most listened to comedian on Shoutlife. Not
really a reason why I’m not on His Holy Space. I need to schedule a time
to reply to one or more sites.
Tell us about 101QFL? What of its mission?
QFL
is not owned by a single denomination like SPIRIT-FM, which allows us
to promoting ourselves to more than just the Catholic faith. We don’t
push a certain religion but let God guide each individual while acting
as a positive voice in the community. Unlike SPIRIT-FM, we can attend
events like the Luis Palau Festival that drew over 100,000 youth who
were looking for more spirituality in their life.
Tell us about your new founded friends/co-worker
s
Just like the great family I had there in Tampa, I have another team here at 101qfl.
When you were here you have flirted with the idea of marriage. Have you found your girl and tie the knot?
Not Yet…But I have done a recent promotion here that was a search for a mate from Chicago but it just became a friendship
Yours leaving the Tampa Bay
area was a sudden surprise to many of your fans. If the answering the
following question is not too personal, could you tell us why the
unexpected departure?
Because
my listeners trusted me with their prayer requests, sadnesses, and
joys, I felt like I had a personal relationship with each and every one
of them. So, I was told my services were no longer needed.
Well Johnny, this humble interviewer wants to say thank you for share your time, experiences and most of all you talent with us when you were here in the sunshine state. We miss you and wish you the best of God’s blessings.
Thank you.
Evelyn
