It All Sounds The Same

[WPHA]

As soon as I posted that, I thought... "That was Inspired"! \o/

Stations need to stop relying so much upon RESEARCH, and start relying on more KNEE-SEARCH! \o/

Seriously... I just posted it on my Facebook, LinkedIn and several other Christian Radio discussion groups. Let's PRAY about it!

 

[xmusicmatt]

I'm pretty sure that the serious Christian broadcasters do use prayer as part of their daily focus on changing lives... however, research is important if people are saying they want x y and z... naturally you give the listeners what they truely want. (and considering how well KLove/Air1 is doing in growing.. I would think their 'geting it right' for the most part -- even if there is a very small vocal amount on messages boards that constantly trash them)...

 

[Silkie]

I'm pretty sure that the serious Christian broadcasters do use prayer as part of their daily focus on changing lives... however, research is important if people are saying they want x y and z... naturally you give the listeners what they truely want. (and considering how well KLove/Air1 is doing in growing.. I would think their 'geting it right' for the most part -- even if there is a very small vocal amount on messages boards that constantly trash them)...

People who do not want to hear it will tune out. The Lord is not confined to electronic machinery; if He is seeking a certain lost sheep, then He is the only one who knows what it is going to take, and so we know that one sows, while another reaps. Right before they tune Him out on the radio that seed might have already been planted.

This is not to say that anything is wrong with research, because maybe the show biz tycoon doing his or her research will actually happen upon the Lord.

The biggest part of the Ephesians 6:10 war is delivery of the simple Gospel.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

WOW!! Dude... we are so totally ON THE SAME PAGE, it's frightening! Smiley (I could quote your whole post! LOL!) When God raises up my station, would you come work for me? Smiley (I ask in FAITH, believing GOD for a MIRACLE!)

I checked out the WPHA website. Its a good looking site. I'm assuming that the website represents your vision for your future station. The list of artists posted on your site sounds great. When you do get your station, let me know. In the mean time, I'll be praying for you and your future station and if I'm being called to work at the future WPHA someday. It sounds exciting. I'm blessed and honored you'd think of asking me to work for your station.

If it's the Lord's will for you to have WPHA, then it will happen in HIS time. If not, then he has other plans for you and the creative spirit he's given you. One thing to keep in mind is the Gospel message of Jesus Christ does not change. What does change is how we deliver that message.

An example: in the late 1700's well into the 1800's the Methodist Church used circuit riders to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to the wilderness of America. This was very effective so that by the time of the Civil War and into the late 1800's, the Methodist Church was the largest denomination in the US. For the 1800's using circuit riders was a great way to evangelize the undeveloped parts of our vast nation. For that time, this was a high tech approach to delivering the Gospel.

The Lord may have another plan for you rather than a terrestrial radio station. Maybe you start out as an Internet radio station. That's far less expensive and can be heard anywhere in the world, no hassle of trying to get an FCC license, getting a building, transmitter, towers, etc. You already mentioned that you would be using the computer to download your music, as you did at WFIF. As the world is moving more and more into cyber space rather than "over the air" radio, your vision of WPHA might be better served, at least in the beginning, as being an online Christian radio station. Assuming that is the Lord's will, it will grow and then maybe, again if its HIS will, he'll open doors for you to go old school with terrestrial radio. Quite often the Lord will see how we do with a small thing before giving us the larger thing. Internet radio is the smaller thing, in today's world (someday it will be the bigger thing).

Remember God has given you a vision for reaching folks for Christ. The vehicle you use may change as the world changes. You'd not consider today using Methodist circuit riders to spread the Gospel, so maybe you might want to pray to see if the Lord wants you to start WPHA as an internet radio station. Consider this, most radio stations are now streaming live online and offering podcasts of their broadcasts, because folks are using online sources more and more, and those radio businesses are trying to make sure that they don't lose their loyal listeners when they turn off their radio's and go online.

The idea of having live on the air DJ's taking phone calls and ministering with folks is a great idea. I did some of that when I had a weekend show at the then WNNN-FM. The only difference was, we didn't put the folks on air, I'd talk and minister to them on the phone off air, while the music played on air. Personally I think that is a better approach, as folks who call in to talk to you quite often have problems and want to seek help. I know I'd not be comfortable going on the radio and telling the whole world my personal problems, but as I've gotten to know that DJ week after week as he/she has been sharing their faith and short inspirational messages during his/her show, I'd then feel safe and comfortable to talk to them. This way, you also can take your time and minister to them, pray personally with them, etc, rather than trying to be a Dr. Laura, or Delilah (the two secular versions on the radio who do put the people on air) where you've got a minute to spit out some fast answer then get to the next call, spot break, or back to music so you don't lose your audience. To really minister to someone takes time. You've got to be a good listener and then take time to give them what the Lord places in your spirit to share. You may be prompted to give them some scriptures to read, etc. This takes time and probably shouldn't be done on air. Prayer is a personal thing, and as we're not to be standing on a street corner praying so all can hear, somehow having that kind of prayer on the radio strikes me that way. Sure general prayer is different. That's just how I see that.

I'll keep you in prayer as you seek God's will for your life and the future WPHA.

 

[WPHA]

I checked out the WPHA website. Its a good looking site. I'm assuming that the website represents your vision for your future station. The list of artists posted on your site sounds great. When you do get your station, let me know. In the mean time, I'll be praying for you and your future station and if I'm being called to work at the future WPHA someday. It sounds exciting. I'm blessed and honored you'd think of asking me to work for your station.

Ah, believe me, when WPHA happens, the WHOLE WORLD will know! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! \o/

If it's the Lord's will for you to have WPHA, then it will happen in HIS time. If not, then he has other plans for you and the creative spirit he's given you.

I have had this Vision for 25 years and counting. (Since 1986) I worked at WFIF for 20 years. His Will has been unfolding, a little at a time, all along. I have certainly besought Him about which direction He would have me to go, since I was "downsized" from WFIF 4 years ago. So far, he has NOT lessened the burden for Christian radio. If anything, it is even more intense!

The Lord may have another plan for you rather than a terrestrial radio station. Maybe you start out as an Internet radio station. That's far less expensive (SNIP)

I have already investigated this, extensively. To do it LEGALLY, the Music MAFIAA have to be paid. That amounts to roughly over $100 a month for up to 25 listeners, from the REPUTABLE audio streaming sites. That's a lot of money, especially since I am currently unemployed, but it was a lot even when I was working.

There are also some DRACONIAN rules imposed by the MAFIAA upon Internet stations, that would make the planned format of WPHA almost completely unworkable. (I have spelled out a few detailed points about this on the FAQ page of the WPHA site.)

Then you have the issue of an extremely SMALL number of Seniors having computers or smartphones. That leaves them completely out of the loop, regarding Internet radio. There are, in fact, a number of VERY PRECIOUS Senior Saints in my church, that would get NOTHING out of it, because they have no access to the Internet, nor do they want any.

I created a YouTube page of the music I plan to feature on WPHA. I invite everyone here to give it a listen. http://www.youtube.com/morning1500
You may find some songs you haven't heard in a long time.

The idea of having live on the air DJ's taking phone calls and ministering with folks is a great idea. I did some of that when I had a weekend show at the then WNNN-FM. The only difference was, we didn't put the folks on air, I'd talk and minister to them on the phone off air, while the music played on air.

I didn't put people on the air when I did the Morning light program on WFIF, either... I took their information (prayer requests) and then at the end of the show, discreetly prayed for them on the air. "A brother in Branford needs a job... a Sister in Stratford is praying for her friend, etc." I'd pray for each one until I felt the Spirit move me to the next. It worked that way for almost 20 years, and the listeners loved it. (I was God-inspired to do it that way.)

Personally I think that is a better approach, as folks who call in to talk to you quite often have problems and want to seek help.

This is where I referred my callers to their Pastor, or to professional Christian counselors. WFIF (or in the future, WPHA) is not licensed to be a counseling ministry, so to avoid any potential issues, we avoided "counseling" people. Instead, we encouraged them to speak to their Pastor, or a Professional Counselor. We'd give referrals, as well. We'd offer to pray for people and that was it. WPHA may indeed have counselors on staff, or a direct relationship with a professional ministry. In any case, the DJ's will NOT be counselors... that is not their role. Their role is to minister to the listeners-at-large.

K-Love is, in fact, an excellent model! The more I get to know about them, the more I see AMAZING similarities between them and how I have envisioned WPHA YEARS ago! They are already DOING a significant number of the things I describe for WPHA! That blesses my socks off!! I am SO THANKFUL to see SOMEONE actually doing it! (There may well be other stations doing it, as well, that I am unaware of.)

This way, you also can take your time and minister to them, pray personally with them, etc, rather than trying to be a Dr. Laura, or Delilah (the two secular versions on the radio who do put the people on air) where you've got a minute to spit out some fast answer then get to the next call, spot break, or back to music so you don't lose your audience. To really minister to someone takes time.

This is EXACTLY WHY it is NOT the DJ's role to be counselors... they are ministering FIRST to the MASTER, and SECOND, to His People, the listeners. One-on-one is best referred to someone for whom that is a gift, a Calling, and a specialty.

I'll keep you in prayer as you seek God's will for your life and the future WPHA.

Thank you! God bless!

 

[WPHA]

PS: The job offer for WPHA is genuine.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

WPHA: great posts excellent explanations of your plans. Sounds great. When you're getting near to being ready, let us know, as I'm praying for you and the vision the Lord has given you.

 

[WPHA]

WPHA: great posts excellent explanations of your plans. Sounds great. When you're getting near to being ready, let us know, as I'm praying for you and the vision the Lord has given you.

Thank you very much! It's been 25 years and counting, so my heart tells me SOMETHING has to happen, SOON! Bookmark the WPHA page, and check it from time to time. I will post any progress on the "Timeline" page.

 

[nitnitr]

The Lord may have another plan for you rather than a terrestrial radio station. Maybe you start out as an Internet radio station. That's far less expensive (SNIP)

I have already investigated this, extensively. To do it LEGALLY, the Music MAFIAA have to be paid. That amounts to roughly over $100 a month for up to 25 listeners, from the REPUTABLE audio streaming sites. That's a lot of money, especially since I am currently unemployed, but it was a lot even when I was working.

There are also some DRACONIAN rules imposed by the MAFIAA upon Internet stations, that would make the planned format of WPHA almost completely unworkable. (I have spelled out a few detailed points about this on the FAQ page of the WPHA site.)

As one who operates an Internet station, I will agree that a few bucks need to be in order to run an Internet station.

An Internet station may be a great way to get started. If you need some help, let me know. Always happy to help other Christian broadcasters when I can, whether it be software, website design or connections. I have been privileged to network with others that have made things a bit less expensive for LMTTRR over the years, not to mention friendships that will likely last a lifetime.

Not sure whether MAFIAA is necessarily true. Terrestrial stations have most of the measures instituted that Internet radio deals with. In fact terrestrial radio is heading toward performance royalties, which was instituted on Internet radio a few years back. They are fighting it (thank goodness).

Blessings!

 

[xmusicmatt]

yep same rules apply (except the performance royalty which is quickly gonna happen with FM too...) If your talking about the "can't repeat artist xx times an hour" deal... honestly you would not want to play more than 3 songs by the same artist within a shorten period of time anyways because you'd quickly become a tune out from people who don't want to hear the same thing over and over and over and over.

 

[radioboy]

Willie: Maybe you'll want to consider a low power FM (LPFM) if a frequency is available in your area. The FCC may be opening a filing window in 2012. I'm looking at this possibility myself.

My Internet station started as a CCM stream in 2001. Locally, however, we have nine Christian-formatted radio stations. Listenership had plummeted in 2003, leading me to switch to country.
I still do a weekly Christian program, though.

I've had emails from plenty of folks in their sixties and seventies who listen..I'm sure a few have gotten their kids or grandkids to set it up for them on the computer. Others listen via their
Androids and such.

I was in terrestrial radio for 24 years. After the last job ended there was nothing on the horizon.
After seven years, still nothing except for the LPFM possibility.

My Internet station started as a "hobby" station and cost about $40 a month. Now, as a PRO, it costs $107 per month (including the royalties) but with the provision that I can sell my own advertising. It's doing just a little over "break-even" since going PRO this past April. It is fully licensed and legal. The DMCA is a little intimidating at first, but I have plenty of music, so it hasn't ever been an issue.

I've been streaming 10 years and have made friends from all over as a result of the station. I don't regret starting it, and although it's a small station, it reaches hundreds of listeners every month.

May God bless you in your efforts.

 

[nitnitr]

yep same rules apply (except the performance royalty which is quickly gonna happen with FM too...) If your talking about the "can't repeat artist xx times an hour" deal... honestly you would not want to play more than 3 songs by the same artist within a shorten period of time anyways because you'd quickly become a tune out from people who don't want to hear the same thing over and over and over and over.

Yes. The performance royalty is what I was alluding to. If Terrestrial radio is able to fight it successfully, then Internet radio may have a leg to stand on and fight against the current licensing structure, as it pertains to that part of royalties.

As far as repeats, I agree. Don't want to get too repetitive in any way. That is why a good library to cull from is essential for any format.

 

[WPHA]

If your talking about the "can't repeat artist xx times an hour" deal... honestly you would not want to play more than 3 songs by the same artist within a short period of time anyways because you'd quickly become a tune out from people who don't want to hear the same thing over and over and over and over.

Have you ever listened to K-Love? (I believe they were part of the original discussion in this thread.) They pretty much play the not just the same artist, but the VERY SAME SONGS roughly every 3 hours... yet they are quite popular! It is the "formula" of "TOP 40" radio... "JUST PLAY THE HITS".

That is NOT what I plan to do with WHPA, however. When you have specific artists which "define" your format (AKA: "Core Artists") from whom you have, literally, DOZENS of songs, each, it is very possible to play more then 3 by that artist within a 3 hour window... and NOT have it sound "repetitious". I hosted a morning music show on WFIF for nearly 20 years, called "Morning Light". There were a number of shows where I had a "Featured Artist" where I would play five or six of their songs during the hour. (Typically, I played a total of 12~15 songs per 1 hour show.) It sounded amazing!

Yes. The performance royalty is what I was alluding to. If Terrestrial radio is able to fight it successfully, then Internet radio may have a leg to stand on and fight against the current licensing structure, as it pertains to that part of royalties.

As far as repeats, I agree. Don't want to get too repetitive in any way. That is why a good library to cull from is essential for any format.

The library I have for WPHA stands at approximately 1700 songs. I have a computer set up thru one of those "iPod" transmitter units, that plays that library 24/7. It takes more than 4 days before it repeats. Granted, WPHA will not be an "iPod" on shuffle, my point is simply that the library is of sufficient size, to play a LOT of music, without too much repetition. As mentioned above, because there are some artists from whom I have more than a dozen songs, it's very possible to get more than 3 in an hour... and it doesn't sound repetitive at all.

As I did with the Morning Light radio program, there will be THEMED segments on WPHA, where all of the music in a given block (hour, half hour, or whatever) where all of the songs will have a common theme. (The easiest example would be Christmas music - all about His Birth.)
Other themes include:
His Resurrection
Family & relationships
Praise/Worship
Peace through difficult times
Reassurance & encouragement
ETC.

For examples of these THEMED SEGMENTS, please check out my YouTube page. I would love to hear your feedback! http://www.youtube.com/morning1500

Willie: Maybe you'll want to consider a low power FM (LPFM) if a frequency is available in your area. The FCC may be opening a filing window in 2012. I'm looking at this possibility myself.

Already tried. Years ago, now. There was (still is?) a WEBsite where you could enter your location, and it would attempt to "find" a frequency for an LPFM. You could even toggle the "3'rd adjacent" restriction off, in case the FCC decided to rescind it... NOTHING!

There are ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, ZERO frequencies available in this area. None. Zilch. Nada. Not even for a 10 watt station. Why? We are in the NYC Metro. We also have several major cities with stations that are not only audible, but LISTENABLE, here. I am in West Haven, which is directly adjacent to New Haven. We have Bridgeport and Waterbury within 20 miles. Hartford to the north, and to the south, all of Long Island just across the water. There is "no such thing" as a "quiet" spot on EITHER the AM or FM dial. On an average car radio, I counted FIFTY stations on AM and another 50 on FM, with fully listenable signals. There were quite a few others that were "weak but audible".

Out of all that din, we have very little by way of Christian radio: 570 & 1500 on AM with all talk. 96.7 is barely audible, here, with K-Love, and we have 104.9 which is about 60% talk, 40% music. There is 690, a Spanish Christian station. That's it. (A handful of others are "Dollar-a-hollar" radio, which have a smattering of Christian sermons, but are not Christian stations.)

My Internet station started as a CCM stream in 2001. Locally, however, we have nine Christian-formatted radio stations. Listenership had plummeted in 2003, leading me to switch to country.
I still do a weekly Christian program, though.

Wow! What changed in 2003?? :'(

With NINE stations providing a Christian format... that's amazing!! How many total signals do you have? As I pointed out above, we have about 100, so it's about 4% Christian and 96% non-Christian.

I've had emails from plenty of folks in their sixties and seventies who listen..I'm sure a few have gotten their kids or grandkids to set it up for them on the computer. Others listen via their Androids and such.

A significant number of Seniors do not even own this technology, though... which effectively eliminates them from the audience, altogether. That is a significant factor in my decision to not bother with Internet-only broadcasting. (Aside from $$$ and the Music MAFIAA's draconian rules.)

I've been streaming 10 years and have made friends from all over as a result of the station. I don't regret starting it, and although it's a small station, it reaches hundreds of listeners every month.

May God bless you in your efforts.

Thank you. I pray for that LPFM door to open for you, and bring great blessings to your area!

 

[xmusicmatt]

Speaking of different... Was online looking for something else and came across this Christian formated station owned by Calvary Chapel but programming locally it appears.

http://www.wtwtfm.org/playlist.php?date=today interesting mix of CCM too! (not all current etc.)

 

[anotherguyTN]

WOW!!! Thanks for the link! I love this! ;D

 

[vchimpanzee]

It sure does. It's all garbage.

BBN is the only thing I can pick up that is listenable. Also SOME of what is on a network of Southern gospel stations called Joy FM.

 

[Silkie]

If its intent is to glorify God then it doesn't much matter if sounds noisy to some, because we do not know what is pleasing to God beyond thanks, blessing and praise. If its intent is to make a dollar God will use it and turn it around for His glory, even if the artists or the stations go down in the process.

All sounding the same reminds me of a monastery in which monks decided that their sound just droned on and on, so they hired a beautiful singer to offer songs of praise to God. God appeared to them at dinner to tell them that He had missed their singing. They explained all to him, and His reply was, "Your song is the most beautiful of all, because it comes from your souls in worship to Me. I don't know that other singer.".

 

[quadraphonic]

It sure does. It's all garbage.

BBN is the only thing I can pick up that is listenable. Also SOME of what is on a network of Southern gospel stations called Joy FM.

Thanks for the update. It will be noted in your records.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

I did a Christian rock show for 6 years in the early 90's. During that time I endured the open hostility of the station, which was praise and worship music along with teaching. They raised my rates, moved my show to undesirable times, and openly allowed other shows to encroach on the time we paid for.

I also endured the criticism of Christian rock opponents - who for the most part are some of the most dogmatic, bigoted, hateful, unloving people it has ever been my displeasure to encounter. Were it not for their label of "Christian" - they were employing the same tactics as Islamic fundamentalists.

I was absolutely sure to play only Christian rock artists whose walk with the Lord was true, and whose lyrics were uplifting and scripturally based.

From what I can tell - the resistance to Christian rock music is industry wide, with horrific stories coming out of WCIE in Lakeland and KSBJ in Houston - Moody got WCIE and the praise and worship people banished Buddy Holiday from KSBJ.

CCM today is bland, boring praise and worship. Completely irrelevant to the future leaders of the church - teenagers. I don't know of a single teenager who listens to the main signal of KSBJ in Houston, but I know several who listen to their HD-2. I didn't have KLTY on my presets in Dallas - I had KVRK Christian rock outlet on my preset instead, I don't have KSBJ on my presets in Houston, although if I ever have an HD radio in my car, I'd put their HD-2 on it immediately. I do listen to a stream from WPOZ HD-3, some of the WAY-FMs and a couple of other real Christian rock stations out there.

Ratings don't tell the whole story - if Christian radio is preaching to the choir - it is USELESS. It needs to be attracting the lost, the younger the better.

As for the critics of Christian rock - I know of your hatred, intolerance, dogmatism, and hypocrisy. I've experienced it first hand. You go slam somebody's ministry because you don't like the style of music, then make it sound like you speak for God. You do not. You are only foisting your personal musical taste on the rest of us. Knock it off - you don't know anything about Christian rock, and you certainly don't speak for God. Psalm 150

 

[MikefromDelaware]

rbrucecarter5, have you considered starting an online Christian Rock station. The young use online more than radio anyhow and that trend will only grow, plus that probably is cheaper to do and you have total control of what you're doing vs trying to make your show fit a particular station's "format". Also your show could be heard anywhere around the world, as well with I-phones, MP-3's, etc.

The problem you'll have is most CCM stations are non-comms so they need that core group of housewives who listen. My guess is, they are the target demo, because they probably donate the most and complain the most. Think soccer moms in mini vans listening all day long as they do their suburban housewife thing running kids everywhere, etc. The young audience you're trying to reach probably won't donate much. Those station owners with big electric bills and salaries to pay each month tend to keep an eye on the bottomline and aren't going to want to upset their listener base to run a different format than what those soccer moms want.

I haven't listened to CCM radio in years, because I too don't like their music, but from the opposite end of the musical spectrum from where you're coming from, so I know your frustration. So I go on line to find what Christian music I want. So again, I'd suggest, put your show online and not waste your time trying to get on your local station. If that station has an HD-2, would they put your show there? Then you could do online and an HD-2 show.