My Thoughts On Christian Radio, Pt. 1

Posted on 12.13.07 in Music and there are 27 comments.

How do you run a radio station when…

1. You can only play songs directly about God. (Preferably using His name at least 3 times per song. You know, so that people will know you’re the Christian radio station.)

2. The songs have to be from a variety of genres but they also have to gel on-air. (How do you segue between Switchfoot and Bob Carlisle?)

3. You have to play music that appeals to everyone who calls themselves a Christian. (From 8 year olds to 80 year olds.)

4. The music must appeal to every denomination. (Finally, an easy one.)

Frankly, if that were my job, I’d sit in a little room and play Big, Big House over and over and over again too.

Do you think our expectations of Christian radio are too high, or not high enough?

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Ooh, I have to comment on this.  Our local Christian radio station has been pretty much alternating between real Christian songs and secular songs that have a good message (or that can be interpreted as being sung about God), and I HATE this! 

I wish they would stick to Christian artists.  I’ve been very disappointed lately.

Why do you hate this, annie?

Sorry for answering a question with a question, but why do most Christian radio stations operate on ‘non-commercial’ frequencies?  Is it because they feel that they would otherwise be in bed with advertisers that might conflict with the beliefs of their listeners? (beer companies, nightclubs, etc.)

I feel that this is relevant because Christian radio stations seem much more focused on share-a-thons and hoping not to offend their listeners rather than playing good, fresh music.

Annie, I remember reading someone from Australia talking about Christian radio over there.  It was exactly what you described: CCM artists and mainstream, “positive” music side by side.  It was this way because the market would not allow an exclusively CCM station to stay afloat, financially. 

I have though a big part of the problems that you mention, Kat, stem from a one-station-fits-all approach.  Take any given market, from Waco to Houston, and you have basically two choices for Christian-oriented radio: either the talk/sermon station or the CCM station.  This is understandable in small markets, but in Houston it is absurd.  There is enough of a base here that Christian-oriented AC, CHR, Rock, Inspo, Gospel, etc. stations could operate well simultaneously.  This, in my opinion, would likely give people better choices for listening, allow more artists room on the airwaves, and attract new listeners who might (for example) puke on the radio when “Butterfly Kisses” came on after P.O.D.

I’ve yet to hear a Christian music radio channel that did not operate as a top-40 radio.  And I don’t like top-40, for a number of reasons.  I’m sure that, in my naïve proposal above, I am missing some good reasons for why diversification has not happened.  But I cannot help but think how well it has worked for the mainstream radio companies.

First of all, I don’t listen to a lot of radio to begin with.  Radio itself, I think it probably struggling with so many options out there now.

If I do listen to the radio, it’s for these reasons:
1) Find out what’s going on in my area
2) Hear other people’s reactions to what’s going on in the news, entertainment, etc.
3) Listen to interviews with well known persons and perhaps hear an exclusive concert or something
4) Hear new music.

Number 4 is so low only because I usually have to listen to a bunch of stuff I don’t really like, before I hit on something I do.  Additionally, I have to listen to a bunch of stuff I already know.

I guess Christian radio is a little like a mega-church’s worship setlist.  They sing mostly songs everyone knows and feels comfortable singing in their sleep, and occasionally introduce something new.  But even then, that new song is probably off a Chris Tomlin CD half the congregation owns.
Or in Christian radio’s case, it’s a song that’s been huge on mainstream radio for months but was composed by a Christian or something.

I think it needs to be shaken up a bit.  I agree with Euphrony--the ‘one Christian station fits all’ doesn’t really work.  Secular music has top 40 stations, rap stations, talk stations, easy listening, etc… but Christian stations try to fit it all into one, and it is just too much.  It’s seems hard to find anyone who really LOVES their local Christian radio station--for one reason or another.  But since there aren’t any better alternatives, we listen...and hear the same songs OVER AND OVER AND OVER!

This is one of the many reasons I don’t listen to Christian radio.  90% of it is way too sanitized and boring.  There’s so little musical creativity in the industry in the first place, and what is unique doesn’t seem to get much airplay, or else it’s mixed in with intolerably sappy songs.

Like Amy said, I don’t listen to the radio much at all, because generally they don’t play things I like. When I do listen to the radio, everyone else in the car gets mad at me because I switch stations constantly, searching for something I can tolerate haha.

Euphrony is right when he says most Christian radio is a Top-40 radio station. This kind of puts you into this cycle where music won’t be popular if it’s not played, but it won’t be played if it’s not popular.

I just tend to listen to stuff that’s not really on the radio in general, but especially Christian radio, and I guess I just attribute it to the fact Christian artists just don’t make the type of music I like. I don’t think Christian artists, normally, stray from the pop-music mold. Like Texas in Africa said, there is practically ZERO innovation or creativity in CCM, both in music and in lyrics. Every song sounds almost exactly the same, and I get bored. It doesn’t speak to me.

The major CCM station here is the Joy FM. I have it at home in Tampa and up in Gainesville where I go to school. My family has always listened to it at home. When I’m in Gainesville, I’ve noticed that I only turn it on when I’m feeling sort of homesick, just because it’s comfortable and familiar and makes me feel like I’m at home. I think that says a lot about the music, though--really nothing new, comfortable, not changing!

Boring!!

Euphrony,
If you think that genre specific stations could stay afloat in the major markets, then why do you think it’s not being done?

Cool dad,
I’ve worked at major for-profit commercial Christian station and I’ve also worked at a major non-profit listener supported Christian station.

I can’t say this is true of every commercial vs. listener supported station, but the difference between my experiences at each place was drastic. One felt like church and the other felt like a bar.

I can’t help but wonder if adding the commercial, sales driven, ad supported element to a Christian radio station changes the dynamic of the people who work there. It certainly did at the station I worked at.

Superlindsey and Texas in Africa,
I’d argue that there is more creative Christian music available to us than ever before (via the internet) but the labels are putting out increasingly “safe” and taking fewer and fewer risks on new or innovative artists.

Shaun, I guess it bothers me because I rarely get to listen to the radio (or music from any source) throughout my busy days anymore.  At least during this phase of my life… But I like to use those rare moments when I’m alone in my car to sing in worship.  This works wonderfully, when the only Christian station I have plays relevant music.  But I cannot worship to Celine Dion or Chris Daughtry, no matter how hard I tweak the lyrics to mean something other than what they were written to mean.  I’m not above turning the darned thing off and singing a cappella, or worshiping sans music for that matter.  It’s just that I really like to sing (and have accompaniment) better!

I would agree that there is a ton of really good Christian-themed music out there.  You just have to work like the devil to find it.  (Like the juxtaposition there?) I try really hard to find the good musicians, the good artists, who try to represent Christ; the stuff I here on the radion makes up about 1% of my purchases.

Kat, as to why I think there are not more genre specific stations in major markets - I wonder.  For full disclosure, I know that Houston actually has a gospel station in addition to KSBJ (AC) and the station in Conroe that airs 70%+ sermons.  Why is there not more?  KSBJ claims to have a huge listening audience, and I believe it.  I wonder if the various stations like the idea of keeping the family together (so to speak)?  Maybe something along the same lines as megachurch thinking - the bigger the better.  This is especially helpful for non-profit stations, who beg and plead for money to stay afloat - when that gets split two/three/four ways times get leaner at the station.  Even if expanding the music base expands the audience (which I firmly believe it would), the basic overhead costs will far outpace the gains of giving listeners.  Just a thought.

Maybe I’m just lucky or my metro area is weird (for having fewer than 500k people), but there are 6 different Christian radio stations on the FM (and I know the AM isn’t completely devoid of Christian radio).  Having lived in much larger metro areas where the choices were much more limited, I found that very odd when I moved here.  The sad thing is that 3 of these sound almost exactly the same, but the other 3 offer a unique mix.  Now if only the radio in my car wasn’t broken…

MB

Oh, to answer the question, I think there are a couple camps in general: people who expect way too little out of Christian radio and people who expect way too much.  Short of massive diversification in stations, I don’t see how one can please even the majority of Christians without making a station so diversified that the content is too hit and miss to keep listeners attention or to make the content so bland as to lose impact.

MB

My problem with Christian radio goes deeper than the bad, repetitive music and constant internet filter commercials. Christian radio targets a certain type of Christian, further promoting the separatist attitude that is so prevalent in Christianity today. The safe familiar music is comforting to those wanting the same from their faith. Christian radio mirrors the issues that I am currently disgusted with. A safe, secure, withdrawn version of Christianity. A version that is all about me - my salvation, my walk, my worship, my....you get the idea. Then again, I could be thinking too hard and expecting too much from the radio.

someone mentioned commercials. i hate commercials. so i appreciate commercial free radio. we have 3 stations that i can get depending on where I am driving.  The one thatI cannot stand has plastic surgery and hair removal commercials. I hate it. And I really can’t stand their playlists. So I never listen to it. i am glad that we have air 1 to listen to. it’s not perfect either...but at least most of it is upbeat and keeps me going on the commute.  although i do have many things to say about music...i must go for now.a sister’s bday to attend to =)

I agree with MamasBoy.  They cannot please everyone.  And I am probably one of those people who expects too much from Christian radio.  The frustrations comes with the fact that I only have one choice, and I’m not happy with it.  But I’ll quit complaining now!

Here in Big D, there are a multitude of stations.  My older kids listen to 89.7 Power FM which is an alternative Christian Rock station.  I don’t listen to this one, just too darn noisy.  (did I actuall say that? I am my dad.)

Then there is the old standby of 94.9 KLTY the CCM station which I listened to when I lived in Waco. 

THere are several others, I usually listen to the gospel soul station at 990am.

So, it is being done in various places. 

E, I am surprised its not in full effect in Houston. I thought sure Osteen would have one by now.

I elect to not get into the political discussion.  My mama told me (in my best Forest Gump voice) that if you ain’t got something good to say, don’t say nothin at all (says Eeyore).  ;>)

Kat - that’s true, the pressure to sell ad time I’m sure changes the environment of the station, especially when times are lean.

I am definitely not a fan of commercials - just wondering why Christian radio is the way it is and judging by the comments, a lot of people want a change (or at least a choice).

Don’t get me started on commercials.  Our station plays ads for DIVORCE LAWYERS.

Annie--since the divorce rate among Christians is slightly higher than that of the general population, I can see why divorce lawyers might want to advertise their services on radio stations targeted for Christians. 

Around here, it’s K-Love, or nothing.  Not acceptable.  So, I just tune in to my Old Guys’ Classic Rock station and not worry about it.  At least most of those lyrics are well thought out.  Then, just for fun, I throw in my CD’s from Switchfoot, U2, Mute Math, etc… and call it good.

Rick, I too can see why the lawyers would want to advertise there.  I just don’t think the station should be willing to put those ads out.  The way I see it, they are “helping” people get divorced, and that doesn’t sit right with me.

From a Christina DJ’s perspective:

We have little or no control over what we (the DJ’s ) play. The Program and Music Director have a playlist that is pre-programmed. The # 1 rule is that you have to know who your target audience is.

Research has shown that if you try to reach beyond your target audience, you will actually lose listeners. I’m refering to your
main full time listeners.There are those who tune in and out for sure.

There is certainly room for difference formats and styles of music. You have to make sure that there is the audience to support it. Unfortunately, it is a business as well as a ministry.It took me a few years to understand this.

Hopefully,Christians are encouraged and those who are seeking to know about about God’s love are reached in the process .This is always my prayer when I go on the air, that God’s love with radiate over the radio to whoever is listening!

Great post.  I tried, I really tried to listen to the local Christian radio station a few years ago, but I just couldn’t do it.  I endured the music for awhile but the tipping point for me was the pithy, 10 second, “wisdom for life” commentaries and the constant beg-a-thons.  It was often presented as though Christianity itself would end if you didn’t GIVE NOW!  They would also say they are a completely “listener supported radio” but curiosly each segment was “brought to you by . . . “ some local Christian businessperson.  I guess if you gave a large enough donation you got mentioned on the radio or something.  I would take advertisements over that any day.

I went into my experiment with pretty low expectations but even those were not met.  I have since gone back to my secular modern rock alternative ways.

hmmm..  i’ve been asking these same questions for YEARS!  I used to work in Christian radio (Erie, PA) - and now i’m on the opposite side of the spectrum - working for a band! (http://www.downhere.com).
My opinion is that the whole thing started off on the wrong foot. I belive that there is no difference between “Christian” and “secular.” Maybe we would have been better off if we (christian artists/radio stations) could have created God-honoring, incredible art that engages culture… without separating us into a “Christian” category.
I think that’s where we see some bands now - like Switchfoot, POD, the Flyleaf, the Fray… etc.

On the OTHER hand—SO MANY people have been radically changed by “christian” music - and radio has had a huge part in that. I’ve teared up many times after reading some feedback from our fans who have heard our song(s) driving down the highway.

I think that God uses us - no matter what kind of choices we’ve made in the past. He’ll continue to bless and use Christian music and artists… I think that we just need to continue seeking HIM in all of our decisions… and then we can be sure we are accomplishing His purposes…

Here’s the list of issues with Christian radio:

THEY FOLLOW THE CLEAR CHANNEL MODEL. Playlists are generated from a central office in Nashville. Scrap this concept and allow local stations to serve their local market. That means giving the radio station and DJ’s the ability to discover local and/or unsigned bands and introduce them to their audience. Who wouldn’t want to listen to a radio station that has a rep for “breaking” great new bands?

THEIR “MORALS” ARE MORE FLEXIBLE THAN YOU THINK. Our local station never played Switchfoot because their head office didn’t add them to the playlist. Then they released “Meant To Live” and it blew up on secular radio. What do you know - our local station started playing them! To get more listeners, our local station has decided that The Fray and Daughtry count as Christian bands.

THEY ONLY PLAY MUSIC THAT “TESTS” WELL in listener groups. Some of the best music in the world sounds crap the first time you listen to it and takes several listens to “get”. It took me a while to “get” early Coldplay, Muse and even the newer Delirious stuff. Buts it’s all amazing. This idiotic method of selecting songs for airplay means that Christian radio will always be full of formulaic crap with the musical depth or a kiddie pool.

That pretty much concludes my rant is why I don’t listen to Christian radio. My opinion on what makes a song “Christian” is its ability to stir the heart to worship God. Period.

And why the heck aren’t Hillsong United on “Christian” radio???

oh I have a good one for you. and by good, i mean not good. I was pulling off the freeway on my way to work this morning and I saw a makeshift sign that said 95.9 The Fish in Big letters and underneath it said “Try It!” and had a faded fish sign. I wanted to scream. Ugh. I listen to 90% Christian music. Probably more, but that is my least favorite station. Ever. And I’ve lived all over the world.  At least Air 1, and even our local Christian station KSGN 89.7 “soft rock”? playing avalon and mark schulz and ffh, at least they play a greater variety, and they include a good deal of newer stuff, they are getting there. Anyways… I was thinking how I love Natasha Bedingfield and Celine Dion and Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban, Brooke Fraser, I like finding the good stuff out there that is mixed in with all the junk, but I can’t stand to listen to popular radio because there is too much junk. just a few of my thoughts…

Dude, this is totally interesting. At my house we’ve went back and forth between the Fish and KLove. They are both supposed to be Christian stations, but they’re very different. It seems KLove, which is not subject to ads or commercial sponsors, seems a little stricter. The Fish plays music with a “safe”, Christian world-view, but KLove focuses more on artists who are signed with actual Christian labels. Although I did hear the Fray on their station the other day.
My younger sister always talks about “under cover Christian bands” in mainstream. Maybe these artists that get airtime are “under cover”, but I think the radio stations should go by album content, not song content. Because some country star might have a song about Jesus taking control, but when somebody hears that seemingly Christian song on their seemingly Christian radio station, and go out to buy the album, is there going to be questionable content throughout the rest of the CD?
I started listening to Christian music about two years ago, starting with the radio. I was getting out of the mainstream rap/hip hop arena. So, I knew nothing about who was Christian and who wasn’t. The only name I had was Relient K, because they had crossed over to the mainstream punk that one of my friends listened to, so I had to listen to the radio and take notes! That way I could figure out what to start listening to. If that’s the case for somebody else, and they hear that one “Christian” song, how unfair will it be for them when they go to buy the album and all the other tracks are about worldly garbage?
It’s unfair to the listeners to play non-Christian, or “almost Christian” music. And as far as the “under cover” bands go, I like what the Newsboys say in their song “God Is Not A Secret”.
“You don’t get it man, you wanna’ boil it down to show bizz.Your in-depth research shows, ‘drop the God, emphasize the beat’. I heard that positive pop you did; I’d rather be buried and wake up quick.”

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