Since the month of July, have been working hard to produce a new version of La Voz Alegre (The Happy Voice), designed specifically for TWR (Trans World Radio). We feel this is a great opportunity God has given us to be on the air on many local radio stations throughout Latin America. Therefore, we set out to create a program that would still keep our magazine style and at the same time, making it “sound” like we are broadcasting live from a studio. Two members of our team serve as hosts and help with the transitions from one segment to the other, creating a feeling of spontaneity, and closeness to the listener. Mind you, the program is still pre-recorded and we spend a considerable amount of time in preparation and post-production. But this is the closest we can get to a live production.
All the credit goes to our team in Cuba. I would not be able to do it by myself in Miami. The program is produced in Cuba under my direction. We are blessed to have gathered a team made up of radio professionals that use their expertise to help us with our radio program. All of them have their own full-time jobs in radio stations and set aside a considerable amount of time to do all kinds of work for us, from translations (yes, you read it right), to creating scripts for programs, to recording and editing, etc.
How do we create this type of program? you might ask. A lot of planning, communication, discussion. A lot of “back and forth.” Then, I send my recordings. They record their own. The editor mixes everything. There is approval of the finished product, and then we are ready to send it to TWR. This work is done in a very narrow kitchen, they have to bring and set up the equipment every time they do the work. But make no mistake, the quality of the program is very professional. Right now, we are praying for funds to rent a room for them to work without having to spend so much time moving the equipment and setting it up, or waiting for a convenient time to record without disturbing the family who lives there and who has also very graciously allowed them to work there.
Also, it is no easy task for our point man there, Jesús Blanco, to coordinate the availability of each member of the team. This past week there were two of them who were sick, and they had to postpone their meeting to work. Still, they re-scheduled for this week. I thank God for their dedication, commitment, and for believing in our vision. I am very fortunate to work with them.
Last week, something occurred that boosted their passion and mine. We reconnected with an old friend of the program, Edilberto Garrido Bermudez. He wrote, “Greetings brothers. I used to hear your program before, until my radio broke. Please continue airing La Voz Alegre, and the message of God.” Then, he went on to say that his mother never missed listening to La Voz Alegre. We told him he could now listen to our program on Facebook or by downloading our App. We set him up to receive a bible course, and promised to stay in touch with him.
This conversation reminded me, again, that People is why we air radio programs. More important than quality programs, are people, and people’s spiritual needs. People are our business. That was what Jesus was all about.
Categories: SPANISH
