Redefining CCM?

[CCMDJ]

I want to start with a disclaimer. I like KSBJ. I think they do a great job of mixing music and ministry. The number of lives that God has touched through that station over the years is exceptional. And while that's more a testimony to God's power than it is KSBJ's programming prowess, we've all got to admit that they're doing a great job of AC CCM. To be able to post a P6+ AQH Share of 4.5% (August 2009), while scoring P12-21 numbers of 5.4% and P18-24 numbers of 3.3% (all Arb PPM M-Sunday 6am - 12 midnight) is exceptional. Pretty good younger demo numbers from a station that targets 25-54.

I was reading the previous thread, (about markets where a CCM format would work) and it seems like there's a little confusion from Bruce Carter about definitions of terms. While it causes a chuckle among those of us that have been doing CCM Radio as a living for decades (and those of us who pay attention to the actual ratings,) it's also a little disturbing.

To make a statement that Houston doesn't have a CCM radio station drew understandable challenges from members of this forum. Good for you, because (based on our industry standard of what CCM means) that's not an accurate statement. I understand that Bruce feels like KSBJ doesn't meet his standard of what a CCM station should be, but that's not an industry issue -- it's one of personal taste.

Our industry, as a collective, defines the terms we use, and they're pretty clear to almost everyone. Besides, it's not up to an individual to attempt to redefine 'CCM' based on what he wished it would mean. And we're not the only ones who've adequately defined CCM. Look at what Wikipedia says:

Contemporary Christian music (or CCM; also by its religious neutral term "inspirational music") is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The term is typically used to refer to the Nashville, Tennessee-based pop, rock, and worship Christian music industry, currently represented by artists such as Avalon, BarlowGirl, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Amy Grant, Natalie Grant, Jars of Clay, MercyMe, Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Third Day, tobyMac, and a host of others. The industry is represented in Billboard Magazine's "Top Christian Albums" and "Hot Christian Songs" charts,[1] and by Radio & Records magazine's Christian AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio), Christian Rock, and Inspirational (INSPO) airplay charts,[2] as well as the iTunes Store's "Christian & Gospel" genre.

So, while Houston doesn't have a Christian Rock station (yet) it does have a CCM station. So does Dallas, and a number of other major markets. I spent some time today streaming KLTY and KSBJ and contrary to what was said in earlier posts, the songs they play are essentially the same. KLTY plays a handfull of songs KSBJ does not, and vice-versa -- but a few songs difference between their two playlists does not signify two, entirely different, formats.

By industry standards (even Wikipedia's), KSBJ is straight-up Adult Contemporary Christian Music. I looked at this week's Billboard Hot Christian AC Songs ('hot' meaning spincount, not style of music) and compared it to what KSBJ and KLTY are playing and guess what -- they're both playing almost every song on the list. (By the way, KSBJ is also playing 10 of the top-25 Christian CHR songs.)

So, let's stop trying to define terms based on what it means to us, or even worse, what we think it should mean.

And if you're looking for a market where Christian Rock would do well, Bruce is correct -- Houston will work. Maybe that's why KSBJ is telling listeners they're in the middle of a research project on a new 12-24 format. Evidently they're not only researching what to play, but for where listeners would like to hear it as well. Pretty smart since a younger demo looks for their music in more places than FM or HD.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Contemporary Christian music (or CCM; also by its religious neutral term "inspirational music") is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The term is typically used to refer to the Nashville, Tennessee-based pop, rock, and worship Christian music industry, currently represented by artists such as Avalon, BarlowGirl, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Amy Grant, Natalie Grant, Jars of Clay, MercyMe, Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Third Day, tobyMac, and a host of others. The industry is represented in Billboard Magazine's "Top Christian Albums" and "Hot Christian Songs" charts,[1] and by Radio & Records magazine's Christian AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio), Christian Rock, and Inspirational (INSPO) airplay charts,[2] as well as the iTunes Store's "Christian & Gospel" genre.
Bruce is correct -- Houston will work. Maybe that's why KSBJ is telling listeners they're in the middle of a research project on a new 12-24 format. Evidently they're not only researching what to play, but for where listeners would like to hear it as well. Pretty smart since a younger demo looks for their music in more places than FM or HD.

You are making my point about CCM. It is such a broad category that it covers everything. So yes, Houston has a CCM station.

Actually, if they play a good song, I'll listen. I was rocking out to something they played this afternoon. If the next song is a praise and worship clunker, I'm gone - press the button. Christian music isn't "spiritual medicine" that I have to take to get holy. I don't play at my faith, I am in earnest. Thought I would add that so you will know I am serious about my walk with Jesus Christ. Different people worship to different styles of music. As the father of a teenager, I listen to and prefer her music. I wish there were a Christian station that played music for her. So do her friends - many of them painfully aware their walk with the Lord would be better if they listened to Christian music exclusively. But oh well ---

I pray KSBJ does start something for kids. I also pray it isn't on HD-2, because HD radio is a total failure in the marketplace, and is the place FM stations put formats they have abandoned to die a slow death.

As far as charts, look at the Dallas thread. KLTY is adding secular songs with good messages, provided the artists aren't in flagrant sin. KSBJ would never do that. So KLTY as a format is much more appealing to kids. When I lived in Dallas, though, they played plenty of praise and worship clunkers - so I pushed the button on them, too. Those PW songs dominate the AC charts. I guess that is the way the music industry and churches want it - they are controlled by middle aged people not kids. Oh well --- kids and the young at heart exist and it is a sad commentary when secular stations care more about us that Christian stations.

 

[vsa]

There is a wide variety of "Praise & Worship" music - contemporary to not contemporary at all. College-age Christians sure seem to enjoy the music at the Passion conferences which have been held over the last dozen years in Texas and across the nation - even internationally. The next one will be in Atlanta in January.

http://www.268generation.com/2.0/splash2.htm

Hillsong United would be another example. There are many more if you just look and listen. I once found myself attending a Korean worship service by accident. Everyone there was quite young. The worship music was very modern in appeal and quite good, but definitely praise and worship.

Be careful about revealing that you might have a chip on your shoulder about worship music. A non-Christian who only hears very secular-sounding CCM might be led to believe that there is little difference between Christians and non-Christians. If so, why bother becoming one?

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Be careful about revealing that you might have a chip on your shoulder about worship music. A non-Christian who only hears very secular-sounding CCM might be led to believe that there is little difference between Christians and non-Christians. If so, why bother becoming one?

I'm really not after the Christian audience. They can listen if they want, but I want non-Christians to listen, so they can hear the truth of the gospel through the lyrics in the music. PW is fine for preaching to the church and at youth conferences, but those kids are already saved. That's not what I am talking about. I am talking about new converts, kids who think church and church music is boring. And you hit the nail on the head - but you interpreted it wrong. The secular kids do not want to become little churchy zombies. If they find out that they don't have to listen to slow boring music, and that Jesus loves them as they are, not as the church wants them to become, they might be more inclined to become Christians. A lot of over zealous Christians have added salvation PLUS to the requirements. You can be saved if you accept Jesus sacrifice on the cross for your sins - oh by the way you need to only read the King James Bible, listen to PW music only, believe in creationism, change your clothing styles, etc. Since when is the rest of that stuff required for salvation??? Best to get them into the faith first, then let changes occur slowly through the years as they walk with Christ. Not hit them with non-important peripheral "nice to have", but not necessary for salvation issues.

I don't have a chip on my shoulder. PW music just bores me. I'm sick of a warm milk diet. I am ready for solid food. No "Jesus is my girlfriend" PW milk for me. I want music that makes me excited to be a Christian, like David dancing before the Lord as the ark was brought to the temple. Don't forbid me from joyful, loud worship - lest you be like Michal. Look it up.

 

[vsa]

Energetic P&W music bores you? Less-energetic P&W music bores you? Mild and mellow P&W music bores you? Old fashioned P&W music bores you? Which of the four is it?

If it is all four, you have a problem.

Praise and worship is not about us. It's about Him.

Our job is to reflect Him as accurately as humanly possible. It's not to fool non-believers into a watered-down Jesus who then slowly sets them straight. Non-believers get interested when they want to have what we have. It's not because we are "family friendly" or are "positive" in attitude.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Energetic P&W music bores you? Less-energetic P&W music bores you? Mild and mellow P&W music bores you? Old fashioned P&W music bores you? Which of the four is it?

I certainly admire your ability to deduce my spiritual condition based only on my musical preferences - and never meeting me face to face. I certainly wouldn't have the ability to do that!

This thread has departed far from radio. Music that is meaningful in the context of a church worship service isn't necessarily the best choice for radio. Yet a lot of stations play poor quality PW music as their format. It is no wonder kids don't listen.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

[
This thread has departed far from radio. Music that is meaningful in the context of a church worship service isn't necessarily the best choice for radio.

There is a parallel conversation going on in the thread "WHERE IS BEST MARKET TO ADD A CHRISTIAN MUSIC STATION"

People following this thread may want to view that one also.

 

[joshzz]

I appreciate reading your statements about what is CCM, etc.


All those involved in this thread appear to be indeed connoisseurs of Christian Music. I can't remember the last time I read such lively debate on the topic.

With that said I would like to ask you a favor. Would you take a little time to listen to our radio station's web stream and tell us where do we fit (best time to listen is after 7 am until 7 PM as we offer Christian Talk Radio at night)...and what you like and don't like about it?



thanks! josh



http://www.liftfm.com

 

[vchimpanzee]

If the next song is a praise and worship clunker, I'm gone - press the button.

What is a praise and worship clunker?

I would probably agree that a praise and worship song is a clunker, but for different reasons.

I first heard the term, or at least it's my first memory of the term, when my father and I went to my aunt's church about ten years ago. My father and I were in Sunday school and there was this loud mess coming from somewhere. No, I won't call it music. Now it COULD be that the church had added a contemporary service, but if I'm not mistaken this church had added a room which was sometimes used as a gym where such a thing would be appropriate. I went in the sancturay for the 11:00 "worship" service and there were guitars and drums in the sacred space between the choir and the piano and organ, behind the two places where speakers stand. I'm not sure of the correct terminology when there are two.

I concluded that since these sinful objects were still there, they were going to be used in the 11:00 service. I left and took a nice quiet walk around the neighborhood. I came back and opened a door slightly to hear that these people were still playing what could loosely be defined as music. Not the junk I was hearing before. Nevertheless, I didn't re-enter the sanctuary until I was sure the crisis had passed.

My father and my aunt, despite being about 70, both sat there and took it. I'm amazed. There had to be a lot of elderly people in that church, and I just can't believe they accepted this sort of thing.

Now as for the church I go to, we sing the decades-old and centuries old hymns that are in the hymn book. We sing some of the more contemporary style songs in a new book, with the piano and organ, but this one an who was 82 years old at the time said why must we sing these songs when we have so many perfectly good hymns that we should be singing? He also said those songs are hard to sing. I go along with him, although he's in a nursing home now.

Our organist/pianist/choir director teaches at the local college but she's very traditional in her attitude toward music. The choir may get a little more contemporary than the usual hymns, but they never sing with those evil tapes. I try not to be around when soloists or small groups sing with those tapes. The terrible thing is that music may not even be what the contemporary worship enthusiasts call contemporary. Anyway, our music director and this older woman who sings with a Southern gospel quartet have been helping pick out the music. Our current pastor is a woman and my age, but she has a young attitude, so I'm pleased she accepts our traditional way of doing things. There was talk of a Monday night contemporary serivce but so far that's just been talk.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

I would probably agree that a praise and worship song is a clunker, but for different reasons.

Then, if the music is sinful for you - I would encourage you not to listen - EVER. We each have to worship God in our own way, and your way of expressing your love and worship for different than mine.

The thing I would encourage you is - do not be threatened by, nor judge, those who choose to worship differently than yourself. Certainly, the presence of traditional worship services at my church or a church down the road is no threat to me. Neither should a rock and roll service for people like me be any threat at all to you. If a given worship or preaching style is not to your liking, there are plenty of alternatives, go down the street and find one that is. My mother was quite particular on the wording of the profession of faith, and I remember leaving a church to go to one more to her liking as a child. Music is your particular doctrinal item - go where the music is comfortable.

I did find that my 83 year old father was able to go to the very contemporary services at FC Plano, and enjoy them to the point of spiritual enhancement of his life. It was his last church home, and one that deepened his faith. I tolerate the traditional service at my church. The music means little to me, but the preaching is incredible. They have contemporary, but my choice of Sunday school class puts me in the traditional service - darn! I'm only 55, that stuff they sing is really strange to me! But you would enjoy it.

If you take things to the ultimate extreme, you have the Dial the "Truth" web site and their vitriolic tirades on various topics like Bible translations and Christian rock music. I doubt anybody gets saved after visiting that site.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I don't have to go anywhere else, as long as these people who seem to have a different philosophy about what music is acceptable don't get their way. I haven't heard people say we ought to have contemporary music. But people still applaud when the soloists singing with the evil tapes finish. I will say their voices are too loud (though the music is too). I've heard it said those mikes put the focus on the singer, not the message. Last week we had a solosit who sang along with the piano, and I heard the words.

The taped music the solosists or groups like is too contemporary for me and I make an effort to be out of the room, even if it means walking outside. One woman whose husband has become the pastor-parish relations chair (that makes him very importnat, even though the individual churches don't choose their pastors) played what she called "Jesus Jams" for children's time when she was a relative newcomer. The so-called music continued to play during the time when we shake hands (due to flu, the bulletin now says don't shake hands or hug) and I decided I had had enough. The 82-year-old man (or however old he was at the time) was near me and said to someone that we should have dignified music in church, although he was nice about it.

I don't recall the exact nature of this music in relation to CCM radio styles or types of contemporary worship. Just know that for me it was bad.

Getting back to the original topic, there is a Christian AC station--owned by Billy Graham--where I live. Not close enough that I can always pick it up, but it used to be conservative enough I could listen, mainly because a secular easy listening station I liked was on the same frequency, and where I live the two stations battle it out, or did. Last I heard, the station I liked was urban AC. But I was picking up the Christian station last week, and I heard the words "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." But it sure as heck wasn't the hymn. I waited around to see if this was the regular format or a special top 40 show. The DJ didn't suggest it was anything out of the ordinary. He said it was Natalie Grant.

So, is that Christian AC, or the new kind of CCM that some people want?

 

[William_Yeager]

Natalie Grant is one of those artists that gets significant play at both Christian AC and Christian CHR (Christian Contemporary Hit Radio)-upbeat enough to appeal to youth, but not too much too alienate adult audiences (in particular Women 35-44) either. Natalie Grant's biggest recent hit, though, has been the much slower ballad "Held".

Christian AC, like mainstream AC, has gotten progressively more upbeat over the past 5-10 years. Based on vchimpanzee's post, I'd say he was probably expecting a Soft AC/Inspirational station. Unfortunately, even that format has suffered from the same lack of focus that Christian AC and Christian CHR have, and it's not unusal to see some CHR-caliber singles at that format (exhibit A being Francesca Battistelli's "It's Your Life" among the most added this week).

 

[rbrucecarter5]

But people still applaud when the soloists singing with the evil tapes finish.

I've heard it said those mikes put the focus on the singer, not the message.

"On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." But it sure as heck wasn't the hymn. I waited around to see if this was the regular format or a special top 40 show. The DJ didn't suggest it was anything out of the ordinary. He said it was Natalie Grant.

So, is that Christian AC, or the new kind of CCM that some people want?

I have to step in here and say that when you use the term "evil tapes", you are making a value judgement about someone else's ministry, that may be quite different from your own. I don't think hymns or southern gospel or praise and worship are "evil", I just think they are largely outdated, and ineffective tools of ministry to today's teenagers.

I totally agree with you, though that the focus should not be on the singer, but on the message and the Lord Jesus Christ, especially in the setting of church worship. There is no room for spiritual divas, and that is not limited to CCM music, nor is it limited to music - plenty of "preachers" fit into the category of "diva". It is NOT a gift of the Spirit to be a diva. Yes, the "preacher" that flashed into your mind when you read that qualifies. Ichabod - if the focus is on the person and not Christ.

And I will agree with you - if the music is loud enough to hurt your hearing hearing - it is TOO loud. Period. No discussion on that fact. The mission of the church is NOT to hurt people's hearing. EVER. They need to turn it down!

I prefer the term "sure as heaven" instead of "sure as heck" or the other more common variant. It sure turns some eyes, and opens opportunities for witnessing when I boldly say "sure as heaven". Hey - people can go the other place if they want, I KNOW where I am going!!!

As for Natalie Grant - look her up on the web if you are curious. I think you will be impressed by her walk with the Lord and focus of her ministry. I agree - for you - and others like you - the music is WRONG. And again I encourage you not to listen! I cannot urge that enough! But forbid not the young people from worship that brings them closer to the Lord - their individual expression of worship through music may be entirely opposite from yours. People in Africa may eat food you would consider repulsive, but it nourishes them. So it is with music as spiritual food for kids. Our God - is a really big God. He can use anything He pleases, and that is consistent with His Word, to reach people. Hookers for Jesus is ridiculous, gambling for Jesus is ridiculous, drugs for Jesus is ridiculous, snakes for Jesus is ridiculous - not in accordance with His Word. But musical style is neutral - perhaps even on the side of Christian rock music (Psalm 150), so Christian rock is an option for worship, just as dignified hymns are for you.

Given your reception issues, and your feelings about music, I strongly recommend that you install a directional antenna so you will only receive the station that ministers to you and where you are with the Lord and your chosen musical style.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Christian AC, like mainstream AC, has gotten progressively more upbeat over the past 5-10 years. Based on vchimpanzee's post, I'd say he was probably expecting a Soft AC/Inspirational station. Unfortunately, even that format has suffered from the same lack of focus that Christian AC and Christian CHR have, and it's not unusal to see some CHR-caliber singles at that format (exhibit A being Francesca Battistelli's "It's Your Life" among the most added this week).

Getting back to the "redefining" part of the thread, I think the problem is that too many people think of "CCM" as anything done within the past 35 years from the old Love Song era to the present. Not enough people like you take the time to differentiate the many styles that have evolved out of those first leading edge type of songs. Given the rock and roll evolution in the 50's, it was inevitable, I guess, that the style of music would start showing up in Christian music. There were gospel bands for a long time before there was CCM, and given the faith connection that black churches have with mainstream Christianity, the situation closely paralleled what happened in secular music, only delayed a couple of decades. Just as the blues and jazz gave rise to Chuck Berry - then Elvis - then the Beatles, so the black gospel started inspiring more upbeat worship in white churches. Therefore, we have to be very careful not to reject CCM as of the devil, lest we condemn its African American roots and get back to the early 50's racism and "mark of Gideon" heresy. The same arguments against CCM were used 2 decades earlier against Elvis Pressley and secular rock music - with the same disastrous results.

If CCM growth parallels secular growth patterns of a couple of decades ago, we are already in an era when most major secular formats should have Christian counterparts. Perhaps we can learn from that and establish CCM categories that make some sense. We already have "AC" and "CHR" which not only have the same name as secular counterparts, but the tempos of the music are similar. We lack a "top-40" format. We should be exploring "oldies" and "classic rock" as possible sub-categories. I don't know quite where to place praise and worship - unless it would be with the old "beautiful music" format that is in serious decline on secular stations. I'm really not as knowledgeable about country formats, but I suspect some of the "gospel" derivatives would be rough equivalents. Like in secular music, I am starting to see the genre come full circle back into the African American community. Secular rap and hip-hop formats are a relatively new development, and if CCM is 20 years behind - I would expect Christian equivalents to start showing up soon. There are already some artists out there, I just don't know if there are enough to build an entire station's playlist out of them.

This is interesting stuff - but I think we need to start thinking about Christian radio as a business - one that makes a profit: whether that profit is operating revenue, or souls won to Christ, or both. Or the other thread is all too relevant - how to make Christian radio a failure. Radio is especially vulnerable to budgetary concerns, if there is no revenue, you are off the air. So you have to do something to make a go of it financially or you are preparing a facility for takeover by NPR someday. Probably NOT your intention! The trick is to turn the financial support while not compromising your doctrinal beliefs. Nobody said this stuff is easy - and the real trick is how to format Christian radio to accommodate these growing niches of CCM without alienating anybody. Something we are sadly bad at doing - the standard so far is to make everything the equivalent of talk radio (preaching dollar for hollar), or CCM AC (which is the equivalent of light rock). While talk radio is popular, the secular equivalent of AC CCM is in decline (soft rock), and definitely PW CCM is in danger of going the way of "beautiful music".

What rates well in the secular world? Rock, country, Spanish language, sports (which we really can't do). So we ought to put preaching and teaching on one station, have a Christian CHR on another, do gospel of some sort on another, and cover the Spanish speaking audience on another. There is hardly a market with four Christian stations, and all too many major cities that have at least four Christian stations all do exactly the same thing - praise and worship to AC with preaching shows thrown in. No wonder we are nowhere in the ratings - we have MISSED THE MARK - where the audience is. We are reaping what we sowed - poor ratings and diminishing listenership.

 

[justalurker]

So you have to do something to make a go of it financially or you are preparing a facility for takeover by NPR someday.

There are plenty of Christian networks competing for stations ... EMF being the big hungry monster, but CSN, AFR, Moody and others are seeking stations to own. A financially failed local Christian station has plenty of people to turn the frequency over to other than NPR.

As far as the formats go ... if you are fortunate you live in an area where receiving one of each "secular" formats is available. Perhaps even more than one of each format due to competition and format crossovers. It is rare to find a place with multiple Christian formats ... but thanks to those mentioned above multiple formats will become more prevalent.

Now all you need is a national broadcaster doing the "youth" oriented format. It does seem to be flavors of vanilla sometimes. Just enough difference so you know if it is an EMF vs CSN vs AFR vs Moody vs Salem after hearing a few minutes. But vanilla pays the bills.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

There are plenty of Christian networks competing for stations ... EMF being the big hungry monster, but CSN, AFR, Moody and others are seeking stations to own. A financially failed local Christian station has plenty of people to turn the frequency over to other than NPR.

As far as the formats go ... if you are fortunate you live in an area where receiving one of each "secular" formats is available. Perhaps even more than one of each format due to competition and format crossovers. It is rare to find a place with multiple Christian formats ... but thanks to those mentioned above multiple formats will become more prevalent.

I hate to tell you, but NPR is the big hungry monster. KVTT in Dallas just went under to them. That was one of the "beautiful music / talk" type of stations. A few years ago, a big AC CCM went under to NPR in Miami. Those are two I know about, but I bet there are more. There are some others I am familiar with that are on death watch right now - both traditional hymn / preaching. Another is an AC CCM, yet another is a PW CCM. Since Christian formats are a couple of decades behind secular - these days it is the hymn and PW and preaching that are in jeopardy - in 20 years it will be primarily PW / AC CCM if the formats don't evolve and quickly.

I am in an area with multiple Christian stations, all right. But all are the same - PW or AC CCM or preaching. Take you pick, the result is the same: BOREDOM. I listen to satellite and secular. At least they don't put me to sleep in traffic. I'm going to streaming soon to get better Christian stations. I'm advising all the youth in my church to do the same - I hate to endorse a cell phone company but ATT has unlimited data - for now. But there is a crisis in 3G bandwidth, I don't know how much longer that will last. Enjoy it while we can!!!

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Bruce, I have enjoyed your posts of the last couple of days. Your observations about the Christian use of radio was thoughtful.

There seems to be a tension in the air between Christian broadcasting and the what is rolled up in one big glob and called "NPR". Sometimes our Christian brothers and sisters fail to recognize the difference between the local organization that might exist in Dallas or Indianapolis or Richmond that operates a local station or stations, and the national programming organization which is NPR.

At the risk of being flamed, I would suggest that Christian broadcasters study "that whole big glob" and see what they are doing that is worth of emulation, and what they are doing that should be avoided. The level of service being provided by "that whole big glob" otherwise known as NPR seems to get better and better. I'm not ready to make that observation about the glob otherwise known as Christian broadcasting. I don't think the research is being done by Christian broadcasting that NPR is doing. I don't think that career paths are being defined for workers who want to make a career in Christian radio. I don't think that Christian radio has come to understand the mechanics of fund raising the way "the whole big glob" at NPR does.

Maybe we can do better in the months and years to come.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Natalie Grant is one of those artists that gets significant play at both Christian AC and Christian CHR (Christian Contemporary Hit Radio)-upbeat enough to appeal to youth, but not too much too alienate adult audiences (in particular Women 35-44) either. Natalie Grant's biggest recent hit, though, has been the much slower ballad "Held".

Christian AC, like mainstream AC, has gotten progressively more upbeat over the past 5-10 years. Based on vchimpanzee's post, I'd say he was probably expecting a Soft AC/Inspirational station. Unfortunately, even that format has suffered from the same lack of focus that Christian AC and Christian CHR have, and it's not unusal to see some CHR-caliber singles at that format (exhibit A being Francesca Battistelli's "It's Your Life" among the most added this week).

I wasn't expecting anything. I was just checking to see how bad it was.

 

[salemjedi54]

I hate to tell you, but NPR is the big hungry monster. KVTT in Dallas just went under to them. That was one of the "beautiful music / talk" type of stations.

The owners of KVTT sold the station to North Texas Public Broadcasting (KERA-FM, KERA-TV). So NPR had nothing to do with it.

I wish I had a dog in this fight, but I don't. I know some older folk do have a problem with upbeat gospel music. I have problems with gospel rap. I have to admit that I would not appreciate Gospel music unless Kirk Franklin, Kurt Carr, Hezkiah Walker and Fred Hammond would not have come along. I do love the old school artists like Rev. Clay Evans, Rev. James Cleveland, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Spiritual QC's and Little Johnnie Taylor and the Soul Stirrers.

Bottom line its about preferences.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

The owners of KVTT sold the station to North Texas Public Broadcasting (KERA-FM, KERA-TV). So NPR had nothing to do with it.

Bottom line its about preferences.

Some of us would say - they sold OUT, not just sold.

We sure agree on the preferences part - I am tired of hearing value judgments on people's ministries with words like "bad". Gospel isn't my preferred format, but if it reaches some people - great. I won't be tuning in, though. My preference is Christian rock, and soon I will be streaming it in my car, because the radio stations here sure don't play it.