Success is in the Air
by Cheryl Magoteaux and Mandy Hammond
“After only 49 weeks, The Horseman’s Radio Weekly was the number one equine related program in the country”
Jim Campbell, creator and owner of The Horseman’s Radio Weekly, had long felt the idea of a radio show dedicated to the horse industry could be successful. An avid cutting competitor with a small breeding operation, Jim had been involved with horses all his life. He pictured a show that spotlighted the wide spectrum of the horse world-from Western to English, rodeo to trail riding.
Campbell made that idea a reality after he underwent lung surgery and decided to change his career. In late 1998, he turned his successful oil and gas business over to its management team and devoted himself to the fledgling radio program that he named The Horseman’s Radio Weekly. He set up an office in his hometown of Van Alstyne, Texas and brought partner and producer Rhine Nyen on board. After taping interviews at the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship show, they put together a demo tape, and began to contact radio stations. The taped show was an instant hit, and by its first airdate in February 1999, The Horseman’s Radio Weekly was contracted to 35 radio stations. After only 49 weeks, The Horseman’s Radio Weekly was the number one equine related program in the country. But that was only the beginning. By 2001, Campbell was accepting the prestigious AQHA Steel Dust Media Award as well as the NRHA and National Heritage Museum Vaquero Media Award. That same year, HRW was named the largest equine related radio program in the world.
The hour-long program spotlighting the horse world has become an enduring favorite with listeners and advertisers alike. Currently, with over 170 stations across the country and signals that cover more than 20 million homes, the award winning Horseman’s Radio Weekly is still the largest horse related radio program in the world and is the largest one-hour agriculture program in the country. Already concentrated in the West, Campbell is now determined to conquer the East and has a strong foothold with stations in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and several other states.
Audiences love the format as the show features a regular cast of industry experts. The globe’s foremost clinician John Lyons gives training tips; cutting champion Barbra Schulte shares her “Mentally Tough” techniques; reining superstar Dr. Jim Morgan provides veterinary information; Natural Horsemanship guru Pat Parelli leads fireside chats; periodic reports are given on both the USET and the PRCA; and resident pastor Joe Howard Williamson closes each show with words of inspiration. Those regulars are joined each week by a cross section of others from all aspects of the horse industry. Campbell has garnered interviews with celebrities like Joe Montana, country music star Clay Walker, and legendary actors Clint Walker and Buck Taylor. Each show provides something of interest to all levels of horsemen, from the seasoned professional to the backyard novice.
HRW is also catering to the online crowd. At www.hrwnet.com thousands of listeners each month can hear the previous week’s show, or browse the archives listening to shows from the past.
Campbell credits much of his success to the HRW staff that works tirelessly adding new stations every day and developing new marketing concepts for the program. General Manager, Traci Nelson, has a background in the Western Pleasure industry and has made huge strides in broadening the horizons of the show. Nelson is adding a biannual publication and a membership program to the list of HRW objectives for 2004.
The successful program has on-site capabilities as well, often airing shows from major events around the country. With his customized Jamco trailer, Campbell accommodates listeners by being on hand at horse events for special promotions and appearances, and the tall, lanky Texan has become a familiar face across the nation. However, according to Campbell, the 2004 HRW Road Tour promises to be the Grand Daddy of all road trips for himself and his crew.
Depite his busy schedule with HRW, Campbell still finds time to do what he loves best, ride. Campbell has always maintained that he is not the expert on the show, he’s still learning himself. So he still finds time to ride his horses in cutting, reining and cowhorse venues to keep up with the learning curve. As a small breeder, his operation has produced the 2003 Snaffle Bit Futurity Reserve Champion, Chromium Cowboy and the El Cid Cutting Horse Futurity Champion, Hip N Happenin. As a competitor, he plans to compete in weekend NCHA, NRHA and NRCHA shows as well as having the goal to qualify for and compete in the new AQHA Select World Show.
In the studio or out, the glue that holds HRW together is the upbeat presence of Jim Campbell. Campbell’s down home delivery, coupled with his familiarity with the industry, gives authenticity to The Horseman’s Radio Weekly. Through much hard work, dedication and the support of an unwavering staff, today Jim lives his lifelong dream working and competing in the horse industry and sharing the world of horses across the airwaves.
