How do you image Southern Gospel radio?

[skippertthomas]

Funny? I was with Way-Fm from its first signal in Fort Myers and have done CCM and Chr/Rock formats in the spectrum.. But, I grew up on Southern Gospel and find it's polished approach in this day very appealing to rural and regional areas of the midwest and south... With a good ground conductivity (I don't know what market you're in) and a 5kw signal, you can develop a great audience that can be of value to listeners 30 and up... With the strong Country mass-appeal to 18 and ups, alot of 30 and ups would split time between their mainstream Country FM and a PROFESSIONAL and well groomed Rural Gospel AM with good processing and programming in streamline.. If you run programs, midday (10 to 1) or evenings, if you have a limited night coverage..But, you can make a great sounding station on inexpensive on-line software and add the elements (jingles, liners and such) to give it a 'trademark sound'.. I'd enjoy doing what you're getting ready to do... And if you want to make a legend in the format, do what other Southern or Rural Gospel Stations have forgot to do... BE SALT.. Don't just be at the SG Festival or Concerts at the local Protestant congregations, take the station to the marketplace.. Fairs, Blood Drives, Koman, Habitate, Children's Hospital Drives.. Get involved with civic help groups that Christians belong to....Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimist, Jr. Leauge, Jaycees.. PUSH OUT from the four walls of traditional Christain Radio and The Church Buildings... Would love to know what market or region you're in...

 

[jimmyfish]

Skip, Let's just put it this way. You know the market WELL! If I had worked at CIL about 10 years earlier, we would have worked together lol. I think you probably know the station now. You just said said my exact plan man! Make it sound a little slick, but keep it down home and get out there! The reason I mentioned some of the cross-over positive country is to try to get some shared listening and groom a little younger,( I know they have a lot of other options and a lot of them listen to secular). But you have to look to the future and try to offer reasons to get them to tune in and try to keep them and become a part of their lives. There will always be that loyal following that was raised in the church and will listen, if you groom them while they are young and make it a habit. With 5000 watts I think you can garner a larg enough audiance to make some money and do some good. But if you don't aim a little younger, no offense to senior citizens, but one day you will not have any listeners. I know the way to do that is probably by playing some CCM, but as we know that is on FM and is not an option. But getting into their lives by doing the high school games and being out in the public and maybe a weekly high school update, hosted by some highly recomended speech students, would be a good start I think.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

become a part of their lives. There will always be that loyal following that was raised in the church and will listen, if you groom them while they are young and make it a habit. With 5000 watts I think you

Do I have to state the obvious? According to James Dobson, fully 80% of children fall into the "strong willed" category. You all know what happens when kids get to be teenagers and you try to tell them what to listen to. No kid can be forced into a SG musical taste, they will like what they like. You will get a tiny minority of them - because some will like the music. But realistically - you will never be relevant as a teen and young professional station. Your station will be a dead spot on the dial as they tune to CCM or secular formats.

 

[skippertthomas]

rBruce.. I don't think 'Fish' is saying a MAJOR chunk of the younger, but knowing the culture of that lower part of a midwest state, I would safely say that 15 to 20% of the Protestant kids actually don't mind the slicker Southern Gospel sound.. I know this well from my travels, youth work and talking with the younger Church culture in 'these parts'.... It's like...You'd be suprised at the niche of kids that like George Jones, Bluegrass and older forms of Country... You can't really put an exact finger on 90% or greater of youth numbers today...Even east coast rap and west coast rap have burned out with a lot of suburban white kids.... "Fish"... Man! Anything I can do for you (as a 'CIL-Alum' and born in SI), let me know.. I am just up the road in Evansville and doing the "Dance Party" at WIKY... I have something hot on the backburner, I'll share as time passes... ALSO, the above came from a long time CCM teen jock, PD, MD and GM...... There is a place for slick SG that's real and in the streets........Just as country was held back from the metros for years by narrow casted programming by people that wanted to sound 'hick'.....Look at Country Radio, now!
"This ain't your Grandpa's Southern Gospel Station".. Oh! Processing is EVERYTHING in AM.....Find a used Optimod AM and make it sweet from the Mic to the Air-Chain.... "Skipper T." ;D

 

[jimmyfish]

I know that I am not going to target the kids by no stretch of the imagination. I am going to atleast let them know I am here and hope that they mature into the format and I know that the mainstream will probably not be here, except for the few features that I do that might connect with them (like high school sports ect).

Skip, thanks for the support. I love E-ville. I worked at STO for awhile back in 99/2000. I did not realize you were there. I knew you had some history in the market. So I guess Deb is gone, wow! I always tuned in when I was in range and heard her doing it for years. I will have to let you know when I am going to be in town. I would love to have you come in town when I finally get the deal done.

 

[cARLOS Blake]

Almost the same way I would image Xmas music...warm & fuzzy...let the song fade out almost completely before a mellow sounding drone or bed begins...let it play around 7 seconds before goice guy even starts...let music under him play another 6 seconds or so into next tune. Maybe a couple with achoustic guitar or a single french horn...man voice: "WXXX 101.3 AM The Voice" then female "Keeping families together in BlaBlah County"

and of course some sizzly ones to run during the games. If games aren't sold out they're perfect tools to promote regular programming or cross promote another station. Good Luck! & Warm & Fuzzy & a touch of a "Down home" feel.

 

[neutralobserver]

Well, if we're actually going to talk about the topic, I would suggest looking for the production and imaging work parts country was using 15-20 years ago. Unlike the slightly twangy pop/rock of the material today, those cuts still had a definite country sound, especially as you get more in that 20-20+ area. And they should still be fairly readily available.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

hope that they mature into the format

See - here - this is the problem I am talking about. An implication that Southern Gospel music is for "more mature" Christians. It is no more appropriate for you to say that about SG that it would be for me to say I hope they mature into Christian rock music. Both formats glorify the Lord, both formats are useful for reaching people for Christ / enriching their walk. Yours is no better than any other style in that regard. It just gets lower ratings among young people, and therefore is less effective as a medium for reaching young people.

 

[skippertthomas]

Bruce... I think "Fish" is not putting the format card in play.. If you're raised in a 'rural', 'urban', 'suburban' or 'seeker' type of Christian Culture, you hope that the younger edge of your local Christian gathering 'matures' with the culture around them.. Hey? I've done CCM for years and do a real edgy 'Spurgeon' type of Alternative format, now... I don't see "Fish" trying to say that.. He's a ol' teen jock from many commercial CHR's.......He knows better than that.... "Skip"

 

[justalurker]

hope that they mature into the format

See - here - this is the problem I am talking about. An implication that Southern Gospel music is for "more mature" Christians.

Ever been to a Gaither concert? Or a concert for any of the artists that appear at a homecoming?
Mature is a kind description of the Southern Gospel audience!

 

[jimmyfish]

All I am saying is that I want to image this thing to not scare away the obvious mature audiance, but still sound professional and have some special programming to get the young audiance that may have been brought up in a christian home or even secular listeners to come for atleast the mass appeal things like sports, birthday giveaways ect. I want to get people that may have not even thought about listening to realize that there may be something there for them, therefore I can atleast sell that time to sponsors that might not buy christian radio or AM. As for maturing into the format, yes I believe that some teens might listen to what is hip now, but in a few years might have a family and there listening habits will change, they might remember, hey I used to listen to that station for sports or the high school update and didn't they used to do birthdays every morning at 7:10, my little boy is having a birthday and I want to register him to win the cake or I want to see if they will announce my little league fund raiser, or they always give away theme park tickets every summer.

Thanks Skip, I know you understand what I am getting at. I also think the softer less abrasive type of drones/beds are a good idea and the older country imaging stuff from the 80s/early 90s will be worth looking into. I image/voice all kinds of stations, I even own radioimaging.com, so I should know what I am talking about. problem is, I am a radio guy and I tend to want things to sound like...well radio, but SG has me baffled on getting the right balance and I did the format, but it has been about 20 years ago and a lot has changed and we only had about 2 liners (done by an old school announcer guy that used to work there with harp music under them) and a few old 60s accapellas.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

All I am saying is that I want to image this thing to not scare away the obvious mature audiance, but still sound professional and have some special programming to get the young audiance that may have

OH - mature as in AGING! Got it. Well, I'm 53 and I have yet to get remotely interested in SG. But maybe if somebody heard it growing up they might like it when they are older. A bit too country bumpkin-ish for me stylistically. But I will say - the lyrics are good to most of it - just an irritating style. But I don't like country either so it follows I wouldn't be interested in SG. I grew up on rock, and now that's how I worship. If you love the stuff, go for it. I'm glad you aren't judging me or my spiritual maturity because I prefer Christian rock. A first I thought you might be one of those Dial the "Truth" nuts.

 

[skippertthomas]

Thanks Bruce... I ENG for an Independent Baptist Station that is King James Only and does not see the need for CCM.. BUT, the Pastor and I are very close and he always lifts me up as dealing with what I am called to do with the green hair and blue fingernailed crowd I play for at 96.9 "The Wire" (www.wyir.com)... He is a rare breed in the Indie-Bapt circle... I perfer CCM in the CHR and Active Rock approach, but being from the heart of Gaitherland and SG, I see a very underserved market in the rural communities.... Just a sociologist at heart...

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Thanks Bruce... I ENG for an Independent Baptist Station that is King James Only and does not see the need for CCM.. BUT, the Pastor and I are very close and he always lifts me up as dealing with what I am called to do with the green hair and blue fingernailed crowd I play for at 96.9 "The Wire" (www.wyir.com)... He is a rare breed in the Indie-Bapt circle... I perfer CCM in the CHR and Active Rock approach, but being from the heart of Gaitherland and SG, I see a very underserved market in the rural communities.... Just a sociologist at heart...

Yeah - I programmed on a station where the owner (due to a medical condition beyong his control) would vacillate between throwing my show and myself out, and then the next moment just about handing the keys of the station to us because in his lucid moments he caught our vision. But he was too scared to dump the praise and worship and tired old local preachers. We lasted over 7 years and led many to Christ, prevented a suicide or two - countless prayer requests and rededications. I have the phone slips to this day. When we were on the air, the phones rang off the wall. When we left the air and put back on the automation, the phones went silent. In our heyday, we had the DJ at the top 40 station listening to our show on the studio monitor - while he did his own! Later he came over and bought his own show on the station. Out of thousands of calls, we only had three negative ones - KJV only, anti-CCM types. But one of them - who had been the most eloquent curser I've ever hear, old lady cussed like a riverboat gambler - she called back 45 minutes later to apologize. She listened to the lyrics and realized we were right in what we were doing. So I guess we were doing some good. Sadly, my volunteer staff couldn't hack it without me being there, but by that time WPOZ was on the air so the area was finally covered with contemporary. The station is back to comfortable brokered preaching and praise and worship. The Z has a satellite station in the area. All is good in the Spring Break town of Daytona Beach. It was not so in 1990 - God called, I listened. But I'd never do it again - too much work. And too dangerous - we had another anti-CCM type actually barge in the studio while we were on the air brandishing a weapon. That was the LAST time we ever left the station door unlocked, and we asked for and got permission to install a peephole after that incident. Thankfully - our DJ had the presence of mind to put the station on automation while the anti-CCM'er ranted their profanities into the microphone, then left after having their say. But that DJ never again came to do our show, even with increased security. Cowering under the console, she didn't know if she would make it out alive. At that time, the station was installing a 6kW backup transmitter, loose power cables across the floor. I thought of throwing water on the floor to electrocute the nut if he came back there - but too much potential for lawsuits from the family. I had our other volunteers out the back door ready to go up the tower (which was in back, right by the station) in the event things got worse. He might think of going out the back door, but if we were quiet, I doubt he would think of looking up the tower! I'm so glad we didn't have to go up the tower in the dark.

THAT, my friend, is why I'm not particularly sympathetic with the KJV only anti-CCM types. For me, the music - Christian rock music - is all about reaching kids for Christ. The more they listen to the music, the more they get the message. It is all about the kids. Not about me - I did it for the glory of the Lord. I'd never done radio before, I was just a man ready to bankroll it and learn radio. I was proud to be used by the Lord. I don't know what the motivation is of the militant anti-CCM'ers is, but if my encounters are any indication - its not leading people to Christ. As for KJV only - I do a Bible inspection at the start of each year. If a kid has a KJV, I give them another translation. And kid's faith comes alive - I continually hear comments like "I never knew that was in the Bible" "I can understand it now". And the kids are sticking with their Bible reading to an extent I never saw before when I left them with KJV.

 

[skippertthomas]

Thanks Bruce... Great explanation of your experience.. I really saw The Bible come alive learning the Greek texts... Even more down to earth...

 

[justalurker]

OH - mature as in AGING! Got it. Well, I'm 53 and I have yet to get remotely interested in SG.

41 and will go to any Gaither Homecoming I can get tickets to.

I've also attended other SG events ... although I'm not the type that NEEDS to be at every SG concert in the area to feel my life is complete.

 

[jimmyfish]

Don't worry Bruce, I am far from somone who has the right to judge anyone...trust me. I have played Snoop Dog and liked it lol! The SG they play, like I have said before is more of a contemp SG, yes they play a little twangy sounding stuff. I used to actually do a CCM show on that station when I worked there as a kid (before the FM) and loved every minute of it! Got a few complaints from the very people you talk about, but never help captive with a weapon lol! It just makes sense to kep it the way it is if it is making money and has a following and the FM CCM is in town.

 

[skippertthomas]

Good thought "Fish"... It seems like a year or so back, though much longer in reality, that I remember Ken A. and with the help of Jerry Bryant, getting WBVN on in the trailer at "Sherlock Homes" on East 13, across the field from WGGH....

 

[david5258]

jimmy--as skipper can attest, an example of doing ministry by using music as a vehicle are wcvo--the river and radiou--both based in columbus. when cvo was a full service station, they had a live 4 hour sg show on saturday nights and a live 4 hour christian metal show"metal of honor" on friday nights. both shows reached listeners and ministered the life changing gospel of JESUS to differning segments of the audience. michael b introduced powerpraise in pm drivetime and went on to program radiou.

i had the privilege of doing a weekly overnight shift on sunday mornings that routinely took calls from listeners to actively minister between the music i got to play that bridged both genres. lot of fun, lot of blessing. as jack palance told billy crystal in city slickers--"the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

whatever music genre you use for your station, please be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, seek GOdly counsel and act on it diligiently. also be prepared to get feedback from listeners and the community at large who will not understand or share the vision that GOD has placed on your heart, let alone the the application of that ministry vision.

may GOD bless you as you humbly walk in obedience.

 

[jimmyfish]

Skip,

I was going to you if you worked with him. He was there when I first got to CIL and then left for the BVN venture. I was wondering where he was.

David, thanks for the words. I will try my best. I do feel that there is a reason that this has been handed to me, it kind of all just fell into to place.