Green Room Conversations
by: Chris Goldby ∣ Hickory Algorithm
When the job at WHKY became available, I didn’t know if I was going to apply. I mentioned it to a couple of people, and they lit up with excitement. Supportive, sure, but I also caught a lot of looks that silently asked: “Why isn’t Chris more excited about this?”
I even talked to my Hickory Algorithm partner, John Yang, about it. He wasn’t jumping out of his seat either. He simply said, “You should take it.”
After I accepted the position, I called John and asked him to grab lunch. We sat down at Notions on a random Monday, and I told him the news. He looked at me and said calmly, “I was hoping you would take it.”
That was it. No fireworks. No dramatic reaction. Just a simple, steady statement that carried more weight than anything else he could have said. We started talking about possibilities, big and small. And somewhere in the middle of that conversation, John leaned back and said something that has stuck with me:
“It’s a new chapter, dude.”
At first, I brushed it off. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how true it was. This wasn’t just another step; it was a shift. A reset. A new page in a book I wasn’t even sure I was writing.
Above is the very first on-air conversation I had with Hal Row. How did it happen? Weeks of preparation? Not even close.
One of my early responsibilities was simple: since guests sometimes wait in the green room before going on the show, I needed to be there at 7 a.m. to greet them. These aren’t just any guests they are heavy hitters in our community. The kind of people who move the needle in Hickory.
So I made it my mission to show up early, have a light conversation to make them comfortable, and talk before the mics went live. Because I know firsthand how nerves can spike when the lights, cameras, and live signals kick in. I’ve done it dozens of times, and even now, I still get that rush.
But here’s the thing: if I can make the guests 1% more comfortable, then they walk into that studio ready. Ready to talk. Ready to share. Ready to make the show better. And if the station gets just 1% better, then I feel thats a bigger picture kind of view I enjoy.
After just two weeks, I felt like we were starting to hit that mark.
I was in the green room with two guests. We were talking about an event they had coming up. Just making small talk and hearing about some cool things around town. Sounds like a good morning to me.
I was asked why I moved to Hickory? I’ve told the story many of times to many of people but, they never heard it. I told them and before I could finish our show’s producer Vince came to take them to the studio where in seconds they would be put on live radio to thousands and thousands of listeners.
I listened in the green room, they were laughing, talking and having genuine conversation. Once the commercial hits I go into the studio take a photo for our new First Talk with Hal Row Facebook page. After the photo we leave the studio but before I leave the studio Hal stops me. He is still talking to the guest but he signals for me to sit down and shortly the guest leaves.
“Put on the headphones Chris. He told me you needed to tell your story on air.”
That exact moment is recorded in the above file where I made my WHKY debut.
Your boy was quite nervous.
BellaAge Kinda Morning
We went to BellaAge to record a remote show. The place was a little electric.
When I arrived there was beautiful sunrise off the 5th floor of the BellaAge building that could be seen from where we were recording. We had donuts, residents, coffee, a great showing from WHKY, and guests that were to come on the show. Most of the time guest come and go but, most of them stuck around when at BellaAge. We Hung out and before I knew it I was looking around a room that was almost like a live studio audience is watching the Hal Row show.
But, Wouldn’t that be cool? First Talk with Hal Row in front of a live studio audience. Don’t put it past Hickory’s Premier Marketer.
..as I was saying
When we got back to the station we all agreed that this remote show was a pretty good one. The sneaky hype part for me was after we talked about the things we liked we naturally went into how would we could improve.
That’s a room you want to be in. It’s already starting to build.
We even got to show case this WHOLE EVENT with professional photography from the great John Yang on….
Our
First Talk with Hal Row Facebook page <~~Click to Follow
has launched.
It’s one thing to listen to a daily radio broadcast, but let’s be honest: when you hear something that catches your attention, the very next thing you do is look for it on social media. That’s how we live now.
With this page, every guest we host on the show now has a digital footprint to go with their time on-air. Behind-the-scenes photos, guest features, and a couple of surprises we’re not ready to talk about yet. It’s the bridge between radio and digital, and it’s built for today’s audience.
If you’d like to follow along, I would love for you to join our Facebook using the link above or if you want to talk about creating a package that blends radio, television, digital, and social, you have my number.
That’s my favorite part of this job so far: putting your marketing puzzle together in a way that actually scratches all the itches you have using the most powerful word of mouth with our 85 years of TalkRadio. And when you work with WHKY, you’re working directly with me.
its a new chapter..
#fortheloveofthegame
last week in the Hickory Algorithm Newsletter
#fortheloveofthegame
Events:
📆 September 27th - 🚍
Tickets Available Here - FINNNALLLY LETS GOOOO!
📆Oktober 10th through 12th - 🍻
Link to Facebook Event Page
The 37th Hickory Oktoberfest is a three-day, outdoor festival on the second weekend in October! Having been co-founded by a German, Adolphus “Dolph” Shuford, Hickory has a long, proud German heritage. Home to the United States headquarters for several German companies and sharing a region-to-region partnership between Altenburger Land, Germany, and the four Greater Hickory Metro counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba, our connection to Germany has never left us.
Come see your boy at the WHKY table Friday night with Hal Row and Saturday night with the hottest midwife on the planet.
📆 October 18th - 🧙♂️
Link to Facebook Event Page Here
Moonjoy Meadery Presents: The Fellowship of the Ring Hobbit Party!
This one is selfish because I’m hoping to attend.
Embark on an epic quest through Downtown Lenoir on Saturday, October 18th, from 1 PM to 6PM, as Moonjoy Meadery hosts a “Fellowship of the Ring” Hobbit Party!
🛸 The Hickory Algorithm 🛸
At Hickory Algorithm, marketing isn’t just noise—it’s about a game plan. Executing that game plan across multiple platform with organic ever green content.
🎙️ #YouTube = 🔦Business Spotlight🔦
📩 #Newsletter = ⤴️Increase your reach⤴️
🔘 #Start Button = 💨Accelerate your start💨
🤝 #Members Only= 🔋Valuable Connections 🔋
Want to know how it all works?
The Hickory Algorithm
START BUTTON 🔘
We’ve found our niche: helping business owners navigate the waters in Hickory, NC.
CONTACT US
📡 Increase your reach organically with hickoryalgorithm.com
🦋 Content that Connects. Connections that matter. 🦋
Things I use:
Google Workplace 🕸️
Looking to start a new workspace? I’ve been using google workplace for the last 5 months. If you are looking to have a business email and not use your personal email? I’ve been there, believe me. A new email like you@your-company.com to help you stay organized in the workplace. Link above with my Google Workplace, you get 10%, business email, and a 14 day trial.
Oura Ring 💍
I’ve been using Oura ring for the last 2 years. If you’re looking to take control of your sleep, recovery, and daily energy, the Oura Ring might be the smartest wearable out there. It’s a sleek, lightweight ring that tracks your heart rate, sleep quality, readiness, and activity all without the bulk of a smartwatch. Here is link to 10% off.
