DJ Spotlight Ron Foster
By Vonda Easley It’s a cold winter morning at WZZK in Birmingham, Ala., and Ron Foster enters, ready to do his Sunday Morning Gospel Jubilee. Being a DJ is one occupation where dedication is very important. Recently, I got to talk to Foster. Check out our conversation.
Vonda Easley: What’s been going on with Ron Foster? Ron Foster: Vonda, I’m proud to say that this past summer marked my 20th year of playing gospel music on the radio. Fifteen of those years have been on Alabama’s largest country station – 104.7 WZZK in Birmingham. Plus, our contract has recently been renewed, so the Sunday Morning Gospel Jubilee on that 100,000 watt powerhouse will continue for many years to come. Easley: Tell us about your family and about your son, Austin. What’s going on with his music?
Foster: My lovely wife, Kim, and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in June. Kim is a paralegal and works at a law firm in our hometown of Columbiana, Ala. Our son, Austin, is now 23 – Kim and I are emptynesters – and is a graduate of Samford University with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance. Austin not only still sings gospel occasionally, but he also sings classical music. Plus, he does a lot of the production work for the Sunday Morning Gospel Jubilee. Easley: What is your favorite Southern gospel song that is playing on the radio now? Foster: A song I’m loving that’s currently out now is “Prodigals” from the Steeles. I think the song is more progressive than past songs from the Steeles, and my audience loves it. Easley: What is your favorite gospel convention and why? Foster: At the National Quartet Convention every year, I’m like a kid in a candy store. I always have the best time. Some of the most exciting conventions were the years I was nominated as one of the top five favorite DJs. Although I was never the winner of that coveted award, simply having my name announced from the main stage as a nominee was always a huge honor.