5 questions for ... Steve Yasko

Greatest songs countdown brings WTMD 758 new members

WTMD station manager Steve Yasko explains why the station’s winter fund drive, held January 8 through February 9, was its most successful ever.

Let’s talk numbers. How much did you raise?  

We normally raise about $75,000 during our winter on-air fund drive. This time we brought in more than double that—$153,000. When we tally up the final numbers this week, we expect to have raised about $180,000.  

Smyth Jewelers offered the station an additional $15,000 if it brought in at least 897 contributions. Did you meet their challenge?

Yes. The challenge was in conjunction with your 897 Greatest Songs of All Time Countdown. More than 1,900 listeners responded and 40 percent were first-time contributors. We're thankful to everyone who made this drive such a success.

Why did the countdown make such a difference?

Everyone around town was talking about it. We heard from folks actually making office pools on what the number one song would be. Listeners were invited to vote for their own “10 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and we tallied the results. Check out the final list on our blog. I believe everyone who listens to WTMD wants to be a member. Our job is to unlock their hearts and get them to act. The countdown resonated strongly with them, and drove them to action. 

What was the busiest part of the drive?

On the last day of the song countdown, Friday, February 9, an astonishing 864 listeners donated $79,000—an amount that exceeded some past drives in their entirety.

What's your favorite memory from the drive?

A call came from a mother who asked if her son could make a contribution. He was under 18. Since the Mom okayed it, we said “sure.” After all, lots of kids want to talk to a DJ at radio station. It turns out that Shay, who is 10 years old, loves listening to WTMD. He told the volunteer he wanted to donate $15 from the Christmas money he still had on hand. He and his mom listen to WTMD on the way to school every day and he likes seeing how happy she becomes when we play an old rock tune or when she talks with him about the new music we play. In all my time doing this I’ve never been more touched by anything so pure and wonderful.

Story by Stu Zang/Photo of Steve Yasko by Kanji Takeno

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