I met George Leite online a little over a year ago. I invited him to join Disciples with Microphones (DwM). Immediately he began sharing his talents with us. He is a man of deep faith, strong character, and wry sense of humor. The podcast I spoke with him about is Catholic Rockers (CR) a show about, what else, Catholic Rock music. He interviews the artists, plays their music, and keeps us up to date with what’s going on in the world of Catholic music. The Star Quest Podcast Network recently invited Catholic Rockers to join its lineup.

Big things are happening with Catholic Rockers. I am so glad George took the time to answer some questions:

DwM: Why did you decided to do “Catholic Rockers”? You also have an internet radio station, why podcast?

CR: Radio, even Internet radio is a moment in time. Something happens in that moment, and is gone. But I see podcasting as ‘on demand’. Rather than the audience having to be ready for the show, with podcasting I can reach so many more people because the show is ready for the audience. It made so much more sense to me. Catholic music, and especially Catholic rock is a subculture. But every day someone new is discovering it, and with podcasting, they can find more of the content they want. The radio station is good because it offers Catholic music 24×7. It’s something you put on, and let fill your day. The podcast on the other hand is more of an active medium. The interviews are more captivating of your time. It’s not background music, but it becomes a relationship. Catholic artists have so much more to offer than just their music. I can’t present that as effectively on Internet radio as I can in a podcast that you can listen to on demand.

DwM: What has been the greatest challenge for you in podcasting?

CR: First and foremost has been timing. Being an interview based show, finding the time that both the band and I can get free. I’ve yet to ask a band to do an interview and they’ve said “no thanks”. Everyone of them has been excited to do it, but it’s all in the timing. I have two special needs boys who need help in the evenings, and I work fulltime during the day. This leaves me limited times I can record. Then bands are constantly on the road, and with any luck are doing a
show in the evening. There is also timing with getting them on as they release new CDs, or start a big tour. Timing for the interviews has been the greatest challenge.

Second has been chasing quality. Musicians are spending tens of thousands in the studio to put out quality recordings, and if I’m going to do them justice, I need to do a show with quality. Good
friends like Greg Willits of the Rosary Army, or even Fr. Roderick of the Catholic Insider have given me constructive help in making the show better. Having a community of podcasters can really help diminish the challenges.

DwM: How does your faith influence your podcast?

CR: I say that I like my music contemporary, but my Catholicism traditional. I hold very firm to the church, and the teaching of the magistarium. So I try to never choose a band that tries to speak out against a belief held by the church. Musicians have always been regarded as rebels, but I find that not to be the case with many Catholic musicians. Early last week, a false report about the pope banning guitars in Mass came out. The musicians were all nervous, but nervous because they wish to follow the teachings of the church. They weren’t screaming “too bad, we’ll do it anyway”. Rather they tried to understand it, That is how I look at it too, and so I try and pick bands that follow that mindset.

Faith has also been playing a big part in how I position my questions. In the podcast, we have a segment called “the Inquisition” where I ask them about their faith. Our first question is always “what is the best thing about being Catholic for you?”. Not every band labels themselves as a Catholic band, but the musicians I bring on the show label themselves personally as a Catholic. Music is always trying to be labeled, but many bands just want to play. Hang the label
“Catholic” on the outside, and there are millions who won’t listen to it. But these same people listen when the CD says “Christian”. Whatever the marketing of the album says, to a person, when asked about where they worship, they quickly answer “I’m Catholic”. I’m looking for the personal story of faith rather than a label.

DwM: Has your podcast been a success? What does that mean to you?

CR: I think the podcast is a growing success. The numbers have been good, and could be better. I’ve had some shows go over a thousand downloads. However, to me, the measure of success of the show has been how the musicians have responded to the show. As I said earlier, no one has
said no. Record companies are willing to give me early access to artists and new releases. Musicians are letting me know about upcoming releases hoping to get a spot on the show. I also feels it is a huge success when someone like Angela Santana, a great Catholic graphics designer asks to help lead our street team. Her work is now linked over at http://angelus.catholicjukebox.com . Also when artists like Jason Haniuk offer to put together a team of artists to volunteer to redesign the website. Or Sean Kessler, graphic artist for a major magazine offered to help redesign the logo. I can’t want to unveil that soon. It’s a success because of the community that is growing.

Also, having been chosen by Fr. Roderick to join the SQPN.com line-up was a huge honor. It’s success when other podcasters appreciate what you do also. Just like musicians want to hear quality, other podcasters know what they want to hear, and what keeps their attention.

DwM: What advice do you have for people who are starting out in podcasting?

CR: To start with, worry less about the equipment, and more about the show. Work on being entertaining, or informative, or maybe even both. Have a purpose. Develop a style. Watch the clock! It’s much better to start off with a 15 minute show, you can go longer in the future if
someone really wants to hear what you have to say. Join a fellowship of podcasters like DwM, and ask for feedback. Then accept it with kindness. Having people who have gone through it can be a huge help. I have always followed what Mark Twain once said, “anything worth doing
is worth doing poorly”. Don’t wait till you can do it perfect before you start. Start, and then work on perfecting it. And if you do perfect it, call me and tell me how, I’m still searching!

DwM: Thanks George!

Website: http://catholicrockers.blogspot.com/

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