The St. Jude Radiothon is one of the largest events of the year at River Radio. For most here at the station, this is a tradition to look forward to and it helps bring everyone here a little closer while raising money for one of the most important foundations. I also learned the we are consistently one of, if not THE, top raising stations in the area, surpassing stations in cities much larger in size and population, I wondered, how is this possible? After two days of raising money and working together I believe I have found River Radio’s secret weapon in raising money to cure childhood cancer.
When its time for stations to prepare for a radiothon, we are sent a prep book, it provides a list of songs to play each hour and how those songs are supposed to make a listener respond. There’s a sad face for sad songs a smiley face for happy, motivational songs, etc. these songs fill most of each hour and DJs will throw out an occasional word about St, Jude and why people should donate. This is the procedure followed by most stations and works reasonably well. However, River Radio doesn’t always play by the time book, in fact I don’t think they even crack the folders that are sent to us. This threw me for a loop when I found out. How do you raise so much money? What’s your secret that sets River Radio apart from everyone else? The answer is simple. Two names: Galen Stevens and Randy Bailey.
While the Radiothon is definitely a team effort and we all work very hard, these two men take the standard St. Jude playbook and toss it in the corner, preferring to go the extra mile or 20 for the kids of St Jude by dedicating themselves to talking to the listeners for 12 straight hours a day, taking us on a roller coaster of emotions of their own design. While others voices come and go in the studio as we progress through the 2 day marathon, these two dedicate their voices and hearts to the mic and the goal they have before them.
Galen Stevens needs no introduction. Manning our morning radio show every weekday morning, Galen is quick witted, fast taking and very driven. Even on your most melancholy days Galen can have a smile one your face in seconds. He is the epitome of a great DJ. Galen believes in St. Jude, giving it everything he has, walking away from such a test of endurance exhausted and his throat destroyed but with the knowledge that he helped save lives.
Randy Bailey of course is a household name in radio here in the Bootheel. Watching over the bonehead nation from behind his mic at the Z 95 studio, Randy has a passion for radio like I’ve never seen on another person. He loves his craft and treats The Bone with the care of a father raising his son, from the local Bone Fests of yester year to everyday production. Randy puts love into everything he does and St. Jude is no different. He comes at the Radiothon with heart and cares deeply for the cause. He talks of the kids at St. Jude like they were his own.
Together these two take the standard Radiothon format and replace it with a 12 hour ride of every emotion possible, pushing their hearts, minds, and throats to the limit so when they walk out of this studio on Friday evening, they know they left nothing on the table. The numbers reflect this effort as River Radio tops the radiothon donation lists year after year. St. Jude wouldn’t receive near the donations from us if it wasn’t for these two. They are literally saving lives every year and I just wanna take a minute to say thank you. I’m so glad for men like these who care so much and feel honored to work next to the both of them.
