Raymond Chest
An Interview with the Owner of SuperCountryHits.com
By: Curtis Ray Bizelli
Editor in Chief
When Magazine: Hi Ray, you ready for this spectacular interview?
Ray Chest: Let it rip tator chip.
WM: Ha-ha, alright. This is Raymond Chest, the owner from SuperCountryHits.com. How long has SuperCountryHits been around?
Ray: March 8 2008 will be 3 years.
WM: Excellente'. What drove you to start this station?
Ray: Well I started the station after losing my job with a local casino (I was a poker dealer) after Hurricane Katrina.
WM: So, you were affected by Hurricane Katrina and the drama caused a thought in your mind to start something positive?
Ray: Yes, I wanted to promote my love of Country music to other people as well as the artists that we play on Super Country Hits.com. We started out as a Nashville station promoting only Nashville super stars but found that people wanted to hear from the unknown Independent artists as well, so we promote both now.
WM: That is awesome. What goals do you have for the future (both for the station and your own personal/career endeavors)?
Ray: Well, as anyone in this business will tell you, I would like to see Super Country Hits.com go to the radio dial or maybe even XM Radio−that would be outstanding. As for myself, I would just like to keep my head above water and pay my bills, and make time for family and friends.
WM: Personally, Ray, What is your number one passion?
Ray: Man, that’s a tough question because I have so many passions, but I think that above anything else; my love for God and family.
WM: I think that is great. As long as it is a God of our understanding - a love for that God is truly amazing. You inspire me. What motivates you as a person?
Ray: Thanks. Well, a lot of people inspire me and keep me moving forward with the radio station and my personal life as well.
WM: Ok, maybe you can tell me who these people are?
Ray: Well, I have my wife who is behind me 110% with the radio station. The listeners also drive me as well. When I have a bad day, I can always count on listeners to send me an unsolicited email telling me what a great job the station is doing or an ‘atta boy’ type email and that motivates me more than anyone can understand.
WM: Great! Do you have any religious affiliation (please clarify: Personal or Business)?
Ray: Well, if you’re asking do I go to a building that they call a church, the answer would be, no. However, the Bible says that “Where two or more are gathered in my name there shall I also be.” So going to a church is not going to help you go to heaven, but believing and living a life that would show others that you live for God and allow others to see the light of Jesus shine through you is more than any religious affiliation.
WM: I understand. What do you "like" to portray to your listeners when they are listening to your station?
Ray: Super Country Hits.com is a safe place that people of all ages can come and listen to great country music; all DJ's of SCH are under strict orders to keep shows clean and free of words they would not say to their mothers as well as anything that may offend others. SCH tries to make each and every listener feel as though they are part of our family and we try to include them in all of our programming.
WM: What do you believe your purpose is here on earth?
Ray: I think that my purpose here on earth is to be the best I can be at whatever I do. If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right the first time and giving 110% of everything in you to get the job done right. Anything less is just simply unacceptable.
WM: How do you feel about your staff?
Ray: The staff here at Super Country Hits.com, CT Harrison, and DJ FLiP has been nothing more than outstanding. They have been through a lot of good times as well as hard times with the station and they have been real troopers as well as great friends. They put in the best effort for SCH and try to help when possible to make this the best internet radio station.
WM: When did your passion for music (in general) first begin?
Ray: Well, I have always been in music, ever since I can remember, but my first experience with music began way back when I was around 7 years old and I was able to start playing the piano for the first time.
WM: Do you write, create, or produce any of your own music OR play any instruments, sing, etc.?
Ray: Actually, yes I have written 2 songs myself back in the late 70's and even though they didn’t do anything or get heard, I am proud of that feat. I also play piano, accordion, guitar, bass guitar and have dabbled with the drums.
WM: That is amazing. I have great respect for such a wide range of instruments. I love to sing, play the drums and write music. Would you ever want to get involved in your OWN music career (outside of the station)?
Ray: I do like to sing, but I am not a rich person and it’s hard to get someone to give an unknown person without a band or backup a shot at recording a song. I have to add though that with the computer and being able to mix things down, I have sung a couple of Christmas songs that have turned out pretty well.
WM: Well, with that being said: What do you think about a Christian Radio Station?
Ray: I have actually been looking into starting a Christian internet radio station, and the startup is not very costly, just a little time consuming to get music and get it into rotation, but that is a goal I am working to achieve.
WM: Keep working on it, brother! I think that you would possibly be a great candidate for something I created called the “God-Driven Foundation.” Would you be interested in more information?
Ray: Yes! I will be working to get music for it and get the thing running. I also have 2 other stations that I own if I can mention those real fast? Yes, I would be interested in receiving info on the God Driven Foundation.
WM: Go for it! I would love for you to mention any stations and/or sites that you would like people to keep coming back to.
Ray: Well, SuperCountryHits.com is our country station, but for those that like classic rock from the 70's and 80's we have SuperStarRock.com and if your bag is more of the older rock and roll that you grew up with, we have SuperStarOldies.net which features 50's - 70's rock and roll and some of the older country mixed in.
WM: Sounds like you have it all covered. That is truly a great accomplishment.
Ray: Yes, we have something for everyone on SSRN (Super Star Radio Network). Speaking of which, we just added a new station dedicated to Hip-Hop/R&B, ThunderPowerHits.com.
WM: Awesome, a network & new station. Finally, PLEASE tell me anything else about your site that you wish our readers and your listeners to be informed of. Do you have anything else that you would like for your listeners and our readers to know?
Ray: Well, some may think of internet radio as just playing music and no talk, but we are far from that−we actually have a huge interview coming up with Ronnie McDowell next month (September). We also have interviews that we have previously done with a lot of Indie artists as well as some stars of Nashville. You can check all this out at http://www.supercountryhits.com.
WM: Ok, that is AWESOME, and it has been a pleasure interviewing you, Ray. We will definitely be in touch.
Ray: One last thing for the interview…
WM: Ok, go ahead.
Ray: I want to thank the listeners of SSRN and each station involved and the readers of When Magazine as well. And from your friends at Super Country Hits.com, keep a song on your lips and a prayer in your heart. Thanks for reading.
WM: Thank you! Your dedicated soul inspires me!
