Would this format work??

[Retro]

how about Lisa Welchel. She was on the tv show which had Kim Fields. I cant remember the name of the show. Dion,BJ Thomas,Al Green. I dont know, but as the years have gone by, there are less personalities in Christian radio.

The Facts of Life! Lisa even did the intro to Steve Taylor's video "Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)" as well!

And speaking of Kim Fields, she did a special on the CBN Network back in 1993 that featured Christian's doing various things, including performances by the Newsboys.

BTW, there was a DJ on Boston Christian Radio that was a real hoot! His name was Jim Jullian, he was on the Christian station here during the early 80's and before.

 

[getsmart]

My ministry means, not only the music, but leading those to Jesus Christ through the music and ministries we have on our radio station. I happen to be Vice President of a non-profit radio station, so it is a ministry for me.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

My ministry means, not only the music, but leading those to Jesus Christ through the music and ministries we have on our radio station. I happen to be Vice President of a non-profit radio station, so it is a ministry for me.

O.K. So you have the maturity and experience to see the bigger picture. As I follow these conversations I am sometimes amused, sometimes perplexed by the angst of the younger people who are still getting new material from the same artists who were there very first favorite artists. When the musical trends begin to change there almost comes this crisis.... it's something like: "Is my faith still valid? MY MUSIC just went away!"

I walked away from Christian radio 38 years ago. Yes 38. I have worked since then at various professions but I still have this tug to radio, but in my case, Community Radio, Local radio.

Why do I tell you this? There is more to life than who is "hot" with their 3 to 5 years of fame in the recording industry. I guess my question would be: What is Christian radio doing for the person who is not music driven. What does Christian radio offer that would interest the morning commuter on Monday morning who was thoroughly "fed" Sunday morning with a good dose of Bach?

 

[getsmart]

The younger audiences seem to be programmed to music, music and more music. With Ipods and satellite radio, its a little bit tougher for terrestrial radio stations. Music is what drives alot of the youth today. Christian radio always follows the trend of secular radio. Whether it was with Rap, Costumes on stage (Stryper as an example) or the modern day sound, Alot of the youth, look to music to get them through. They dont have the patience to listen to programs. It seems as they get older, They dont mind listening to a program or two. Just as long as its not an all day thing. Some stations rely totally on programs to make money. For the morning drive, you have to be really community oriented. Whether its news,traffic, weather,remotes from differant local business,giveaways, You need to keep those who really arent music driven around, By doing something that affects their life everyday. We have even carried local high school sports, which brought in listeners who we probably may not have ever had. Christians and non christians participate in high school sports, so we have people tuning in just before the games and staying around after the games, hearing christian music. Who doesn't want to hear their childs name on the radio during sporting events. It makes the children and parents feel good and it brings attention to the station. Hopefully I answered your question, but with your background in radio, you should already know this.

 

[radiocph]

[...]
So here is an idea I would like to throw out there. Christian music always wants to pull in people they are supposedly not "saved" but the music seems to be very preachy. Don't get me wrong. There is a place for that but here is a possible hour play list. If i turn on the station at noon and hear Natasha Beingfield's Pocket Full of Sunshine followed by the new song by One Republic. Then drop the new Song by Firelight. Next play a upbeat song by the group Group 1 Crew "Can't Go On". Then play a song by Life house followed by Skillet. Next play a song by Casting Crowns. Then change it up with Jordin Sparks' Tatoo. After that play a song by Toby Mac. Round out the twelve songs with Jonas Brothers, Switchfoot, and Reliant K.

I just wonder if mixing some of the mainstream songs with the christian artists might make people more apt to listen in. [...]

Will this "work"? It all depends on what you're trying to do here.

Some audiences might be offended with a mixture of Christian and secular music. Others might not mind it at all.

Then you have the issue of the artists, such as Amy Grant, etc. who worked both sides of the street, so to speak. Would all of her repertoire be appropriate on a "Christian" station? How well would her religious songs fit into a secular station's playlist?

Some Christian groups expect a "wall" between CCM and secular music. For other groups (most notably black music or country western fans),
some intermixing of Christian and secular songs is tolerated and perhaps even embraced...

What is the purpose of the proposed format? Marketing? Evangelism? Both? If this is evangelism, what is the overall message of the station?

Should the secular songs in the format undergo any additional scrutiny? Obviously, gangsta rap or satanic heavy metal is Right Out. And we can probably agree that John Lennon's "Imagine" or XTC's "Dear God" won't fit in, either. But what about Elton John or Billy Joel? Would their personal and spiritual lives keep them off?

A few things to think about....

 

[JimmyJames]

"Playing secular songs by Christian artists."

What exactly is wrong with playing a secular song by a Christian artist? What exactly is a "secular song" by a Christian artist?

I worked at a secular Hot AC. One of the best phone results we got was for "Lemonade" by Chris Rice. Christians loved hearing one of their more unique artists get exposure and everyone loved the sweet, romantic sentiment in the song. To me, it was an example of a Christian creating just plain good art.

 

[MorningLight]

"Playing secular songs by Christian artists."

What exactly is wrong with playing a secular song by a Christian artist? What exactly is a "secular song" by a Christian artist?

What exactly is wrong?... This passages comes to mind:

JAMES 3:11-12 (11) "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter? (12) Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."

There are many other references to Christians "bearing good fruit", and here this verse even refers to bearing fruit. As Christians, we SHOULD seek to lift-up the Name of the Lord in our lives and lifestyles.

What is a "secular song?" One that completely omits God. (Reading the lyrics shows absolutely no indication that the song mentions the Lord, is about Him, or for His glory.) It would blend right in to the non-Christian music and not stand out in any way.

A station may only have the listener's ear for ONE song. I believe that they should always come away with NO DOUBT that the song was about/for the Lord or His power in our lives. The Message should be clear. If it's not, then we're wasting our words:

1COR 14:8-12 (8) "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? (9) So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (10) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification. (11) Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto me. (12) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church."

Music is a LANGUAGE that crosses all kinds of boundaries. Without even uttering a word, one can use instrumental music to move 100 people, none of whom speak the same language, to smile or weep. Combine that lind of powerful LANGUAGE with the most powerful Message, and you have a really powerful combination!

 

[rbrucecarter5]

What is a "secular song?" One that completely omits God. (Reading the lyrics shows absolutely no indication that the song mentions the Lord, is about Him, or for His glory.) It would blend right in to the non-Christian music and not stand out in any way.

Once again:

http://www.mindspring.com/~brucec/hymns.htm (a lot of them don't say "God" either)

http://www.mindspring.com/~brucec/secular.htm

 

[Retro]

JAMES 3:11-12 (11) "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter? (12) Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."

I think that the term "secular" here just means mainstream. A Christian can still have sweet water whether Christian or mainstream. Lets not confuse the 2.

 

[William_Yeager]

I think that the term "secular" here just means mainstream. A Christian can still have sweet water whether Christian or mainstream. Lets not confuse the 2.

"Secular" and "mainstream" are not interchangeable. A lot of secular music isn't mainstream either!

What is a "secular song?" One that completely omits God. (Reading the lyrics shows absolutely no indication that the song mentions the Lord, is about Him, or for His glory.) It would blend right in to the non-Christian music and not stand out in any way.

If simply omitting the name of God makes a song secular, then most artists in the CCM scene would have one to three mainstream hits per album. In reality, it doesn't work that way, given that a lot of recent crossover singles like "Something Beautiful" by the Newsboys and "The Older I Get" by Skillet were pretty much dead on arrival when they were serviced to mainstream radio (I have heard of one Hot AC in Central Kentucky playing "Something Beautiful", but that's been it).

 

[R.D.P.]

I bet no one, reading, knew this.  From some research I've done, over the past year, I've discovered that many of the tunes these Hymns have were originally written and performed by the "Classical Musicians" of that generation. 

You know performers like Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Lizst and Handel. 

I have those great composers and countless others in my CD collection and have fallen in love with them.

R.D.P. <><

P.S. Just some food for thought. 

 

[MorningLight]

Once again:

http://www.mindspring.com/~brucec/hymns.htm (a lot of them don't say "God" either)

http://www.mindspring.com/~brucec/secular.htm

I read that site with a smile. First of all, where did I even imply ANYTHING about rock music? I see a knee-jerk reaction, here... where absolutely NONE is warranted! You see... I AM NOT what he calls a "Christian rock critic". Although I, PERSONALLY, don't care for that style of music, I have LONG AGO learned that GOD can and WILL use ANYTHING to reach the hearts and souls of people! Today's Youth speak the language of rock music and rap... so guess what? God CAN, WILL, and DOES use those very things to reach them! When these kids give their hearts to Jesus and live for Him... if they want to sing ear-splitting rock songs as praise anthems to God, He receives them from their heart. If their heart is right with HIM, He is pleased!! Case closed.

In my role as Music Director at WFIF for most of my 20 year tenure there, of the 90% of songs I rejected, 90% of THOSE were called "INSPO"! Yes, that means they were ANYTHING *BUT* rock music! They were mellow, they were sweet, they were gentle... and they were rejected. (Of course, the station's music format was Inspo, so rock was simply rejected on that basis, alone - it simply didn't fit the format. Neither did Jazz, or Rap, or Latino, or Reggae, or Ska, or... you get the idea.)

OK, back to that site... I NEVER said that a song must SPECIFICALLY contain The Name of JESUS. Ever. I said, "it must contain ANY ONE OF HIS NAMES". The first example the site quotes, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" actually made me LAUGH OUT LOUD!! For ANYONE to reject THAT song as not being "Christian" enough... is ABSURD!!! I, too, would scold such a person! WOW!!!

As I looked at the rest of his list... 90% of those songs were not only in my music library, and PLAYED ON THE AIR, I had SEVERAL VERSIONS of some of them! The vast majority of those songs would, absolutely, fit my format, 1,000%! The only ones that I wouldn't play, would be simply for style/taste reasons. (3 of them. Not saying which 3!)

The guy has a very interesting site, and I have no problem with the points and issues he raises in his other pages. (I spent the better part of an hour reading through parts of it.) I'm not the "critic" he's preaching to.

While I, personally, do not care for rock music, I do not impose my beliefs in this matter onto others. I know better.

No, rejecting it from WFIF wasn't imposing my beliefs, either... it was my JOB! To select music that has a certain recognizable style and sound. That is called a Format. Just like I wouldn't expect a rock station to want to play my music, either... it wouldn't fit their format, no matter HOW MANY times it mentioned Jesus' Name.

How did we end up going down this rabbit trail, anyway?

God bless, Y'all!

 

[duke_fan]

I would assume that this format is working since there are multiple ones out there who are doing this exact thing. Is there anyone on this board from homefm or the new pulse station? Homfm has been around for a couple of years I believe so I would assume that they are making it work. Why don't we ask someone who's doing the format?

 

[joshzz]

The issue at hand is one I debate.

I am a Christian Radio Station Owner and do play some secular tunes on our station. I believe it will help get the world to listen to our station, that is, if the artists are deemed ok.

We won't play Madonna but we are airing a new song by Donna Summer (a Christian that is not on a Christian label). We also play the Jonas Borther, Miley Cyrus, Natasha Bedingfield and some others. If the artist has a bad reputation we will not air them but if they seem to be cleanly positive, avoid trouble with the law and have good songs then we will consider them for airing.

But.,. the majority of our music is from Christian Groups and we do import music from all around the world.. check out the band Evermore.. one of the best groups you will never hear in America.

our station .>>>>>>>>>>> www.liftfm.com

 

[Retro]

Hi There Josh, the secular artists that you just mentioned come from a Christian background, so technically while being secular they are still Christian.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

We won't play Madonna but we are airing a new song by Donna Summer (a Christian that is not on a Christian label). We also play the Jonas Borther, Miley Cyrus, Natasha Bedingfield and some

Miley Cyrus thanked her "Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" - using those exact words - at the Kids Choice Awards. How many Christians that record for secular labels have done that?

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I bet no one, reading, knew this. From some research I've done, over the past year, I've discovered that many of the tunes these Hymns have were originally written and performed by the "Classical Musicians" of that generation.

You know performers like Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Lizst and Handel.

I have those great composers and countless others in my CD collection and have fallen in love with them.

Some of us reading know this very well. A couple of years ago I was asked to come run the sound system at our church for a LARGE funeral. Just before the event began there was this bit of tension in the hallway. Business associates of the deceased had prepared a CD of his favorite music. We had no idea what was on the CD but had a pretty good idea. My pastor bit his lip and finally crafted a compromise: Your CD will be played on the sound system until my Music Director/Organist walks on the platform and sits down at the organ bench. Then the CD will be quiet. Then with a twinkle in his eye, quipped: "My music director is very fond of the music of dead Germans".

A lot of employees of a very well known broadcasting company were thoroughly drenched that day in the music of Brahms and other classical masters.

That's our style every Sunday and we have a thriving youth group that brings their guitars on Sunday night, but they are growing up on Sunday mornings knowing about the music you mentioned in your posting.

 

[skippertthomas]

..Just a thought on a simular Church making a lot of strong young and old folks... We have a LMS (Lutheran) in Evansville that has a strong traditional service and Sunday school program on the morning end and a contemporary evening service in the fellowship hall... The evening is a whole different approach, but has young and old, alike, in a casual setting.. Coffee, Tea, Pop, Snacks prior and after.. Weekly communion given and TWO praise bands from the youth group.. Yes! So many kids with dedicated interest, that they formed two bands and they alternate... They also tend to find relevant songs to do as a special, based on the sermon.. IE..."Goodnight Saigon" by Billy Joel for the Vets service, etc... I was asked to sing it, as I had done it in another venue, when the Pastor heard me (non Church event)...So we used CDR clips of Nam-Film-Footage and did the tune to it.. Many vets came and hugged us with tears saying they felt understood for the first time (especially the Viet Nam vets).... It can work, but you have to have a purpose to it....

 

[William_Yeager]

We just played the Jonas Brothers for the first time on ChargeRadio.com. 8)

 

[xmusicmatt]

We just played the Jonas Brothers for the first time on ChargeRadio.com. 8)

Labels may hate me for this but I have Miley's "see you again" in heavy rotation on my station and honestly TLH (total listening hours) sure ain't dropping because of it. (so their making their money back in royalties anyways) As someone who programs a CHR/Rock mix, I need the good pop to be in line with the Mainstream CHR folks.

Ofcourse I am a internet broadcaster? most in the industry would say "what do you really know?"

--Matt
XMusicOnline