Comments on: The Survey: Are Major Christian Radio Stations Running Out of Music? (Part One) http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/ Ministry-focused. Mission-driven. Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:35:30 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Steve http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-5156 Steve Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:35:30 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-5156 This is the question of the ages... (at least in radio.) It's called lazy and time. The stations have relationships with record companies like lobbyists have with congress. They can just use what the labels feed them and save time and work by airing what they send them. Many artists are "tried and true" and have a pretty good track record, so why not schedule them again and again in the rotation? Working "outside the box" takes initiative, more time and desire to be presenting variety to listeners. Many stations don't feel the need to do that. "If it aint broke, don't try and fix it." That may be changing because the smart stations are realizing that "business as usual" just gets too sterile and will finally cause listeners to find something more fresh. Listeners have more choices and don't have to listen to the same old, same old anymore. This is the question of the ages… (at least in radio.) It’s called lazy and time. The stations have relationships with record companies like lobbyists have with congress.

They can just use what the labels feed them and save time and work by airing what they send them. Many artists are “tried and true” and have a pretty good track record, so why not schedule them again and again in the rotation?

Working “outside the box” takes initiative, more time and desire to be presenting variety to listeners. Many stations don’t feel the need to do that. “If it aint broke, don’t try and fix it.”

That may be changing because the smart stations are realizing that “business as usual” just gets too sterile and will finally cause listeners to find something more fresh.

Listeners have more choices and don’t have to listen to the same old, same old anymore.

]]> By: Linda http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-5070 Linda Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:17:31 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-5070 My daughter just got back from Nashville recording a cd of 10 songs that she has written and sang. They all said these songs were different and inspiring. How can she get these songs played. She has them on jango, napster, itunes and some others but when she gets her cds she wants to be able to send them to radio stations or get them to people where they can be heard and appreciated. Thanks Linda My daughter just got back from Nashville recording a cd of 10 songs that she has written and sang. They all said these songs were different and inspiring. How can she get these songs played. She has them on jango, napster, itunes and some others but when she gets her cds she wants to be able to send them to radio stations or get them to people where they can be heard and appreciated. Thanks Linda

]]> By: dennis teel http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-4850 dennis teel Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:38:25 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-4850 and who can forget dallas holm(rise again) and who can forget dallas holm(rise again)

]]> By: dennis teel http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-4849 dennis teel Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:37:37 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-4849 i loved the contemporary christian music of the 80's..groups like Cruz,farrell and farrell,the resurrection band,nancy honeytree,barry mcguire,reba rambo,petra,stryper,gary s.paxton,larry norman and so many more. i loved the contemporary christian music of the 80’s..groups like Cruz,farrell and farrell,the resurrection band,nancy honeytree,barry mcguire,reba rambo,petra,stryper,gary s.paxton,larry norman and so many more.

]]> By: Carrie Lyn "that violynist" http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Carrie Lyn "that violynist" Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:44:09 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-24 Jeff, I dare think that just because I am a Christian who was blessed to be a called musician that I am intitled to radio play. The people that "own" the airwaves have what they bought - Christ bought me and I will take each musical opportunity prayerfully and with thanksgiving. I need only to follow what He wishes for me and not demand or be disappointed in not having what is man's measurement of useful. If the masses want indie music from Christian artists they don't have to look far. Start with asking the praise team if anyone has music that the Lord has placed on their heart. (As frustrated musicians with the music degrees that know that the published chart on the stand isn't even close to the recording and the "music" is a rip-off most times can help bring some fresh sounds to the offering.) Musicians are a chosen group - Old Testament - and they serve where the Lord sends; play and sing because that is what they are blessed to do. The "industry" is business and that is where we must compromise for compensation. I have all the faith in the Lord that the music He needs is getting to where it needs to be (use the technology if you have it, go to the bars' open mics and music fests and play, and keep the church accountable for investing the "talent" they are given) - if we are focused on His will for the gifts He imparts. I'll be here if anyone needs me - and if I hear nothing I'll know it not His will Carrie Lyn "that violynist", a Christian independent instrumental artist and singer/song writer with an attitude Jeff,

I dare think that just because I am a Christian who was blessed to be a called musician that I am intitled to radio play. The people that “own” the airwaves have what they bought – Christ bought me and I will take each musical opportunity prayerfully and with thanksgiving. I need only to follow what He wishes for me and not demand or be disappointed in not having what is man’s measurement of useful.

If the masses want indie music from Christian artists they don’t have to look far. Start with asking the praise team if anyone has music that the Lord has placed on their heart. (As frustrated musicians with the music degrees that know that the published chart on the stand isn’t even close to the recording and the “music” is a rip-off most times can help bring some fresh sounds to the offering.) Musicians are a chosen group – Old Testament – and they serve where the Lord sends; play and sing because that is what they are blessed to do. The “industry” is business and that is where we must compromise for compensation. I have all the faith in the Lord that the music He needs is getting to where it needs to be (use the technology if you have it, go to the bars’ open mics and music fests and play, and keep the church accountable for investing the “talent” they are given) – if we are focused on His will for the gifts He imparts.

I’ll be here if anyone needs me – and if I hear nothing I’ll know it not His will
Carrie Lyn “that violynist”, a Christian independent instrumental artist and singer/song writer with an attitude

]]> By: Mike Westendorf http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Mike Westendorf Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:04:04 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-22 I think their philosophy has run it's course, but it's part of the national radio trend. I worked in weather and at one point I was on about 200 radio stations/day. Our niche was servicing small to mid market radio stations who's connection to the "local" community was very high. Over time, they would slowly but surely give more and more of their program to nationally syndicated shows and they lost the local element. I inquired with one of the networks about play for indies and they basically said that if you aren't touring nationally, you aren't qualified, no matter how well known you are. Now many of the syndicated stations, in Christian or outside of it, still do things to SOUND local. Local community calendar... local Weather... maybe some local news - but most of the content is recorded in one studio in timbuk2 and broadcast to stations all over the country. In some respects I'm happy that Christian radio is at least available, but come on... work with the local artists that are working their butts off in ministry. Allow part of the programming to be regional indie. Yes - Indies need to step up and stop recording in a basement and save the money and work with some pros - we CAN do that now, but there's no incentive at least when we look to radio. People in the local communities don't think you're anything unless you're on a radio station and that shot of credibility can go along way in giving a local ministry a level of credibility with the average person. That's what bothers me more than anything - there's no desire to work the local angle where active/quality artists in these communities will bring listeners to their stations and radio can bring credibility to their ministry. Either they just aren't built to do this based on all the laws of radio in general, or they are unwilling to. Either way, I think it's about time the philosophy changes! I think their philosophy has run it’s course, but it’s part of the national radio trend. I worked in weather and at one point I was on about 200 radio stations/day. Our niche was servicing small to mid market radio stations who’s connection to the “local” community was very high. Over time, they would slowly but surely give more and more of their program to nationally syndicated shows and they lost the local element.

I inquired with one of the networks about play for indies and they basically said that if you aren’t touring nationally, you aren’t qualified, no matter how well known you are. Now many of the syndicated stations, in Christian or outside of it, still do things to SOUND local. Local community calendar… local Weather… maybe some local news – but most of the content is recorded in one studio in timbuk2 and broadcast to stations all over the country.

In some respects I’m happy that Christian radio is at least available, but come on… work with the local artists that are working their butts off in ministry. Allow part of the programming to be regional indie. Yes – Indies need to step up and stop recording in a basement and save the money and work with some pros – we CAN do that now, but there’s no incentive at least when we look to radio. People in the local communities don’t think you’re anything unless you’re on a radio station and that shot of credibility can go along way in giving a local ministry a level of credibility with the average person. That’s what bothers me more than anything – there’s no desire to work the local angle where active/quality artists in these communities will bring listeners to their stations and radio can bring credibility to their ministry. Either they just aren’t built to do this based on all the laws of radio in general, or they are unwilling to. Either way, I think it’s about time the philosophy changes!

]]> By: James Hodges http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-21 James Hodges Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:07:24 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-21 I'm glad you brought this up because I have been 'righteously indignant' about a certain station that starts with a 'K.' I hear the same old stuff over and over and over...you get the point! I wrote them about how Sonicflood, for example, has a great new album that really ministers to the heart with great tunes but they continue to play the old Sonicflood whose members are no longer together. If they aren't getting the exposure from the Christian stations, then how is anyone gonna know about their CD to buy it. It seems the Contemporary Christian stations (especially the one that starts with a 'K') have become a 'good ole boys/gals club' with an elitist attitude toward someone who can create music just as good or better than them outside the clique. I like Chris Tomlin, but do you think he would be as big today without hearing his songs every 5 minutes on the radio? There seems to be some kind of favoritism going on and usually MONEY or some other kinds of COMPENSATIONS are most likely the center of it all. I’m glad you brought this up because I have been ‘righteously indignant’ about a certain station that starts with a ‘K.’ I hear the same old stuff over and over and over…you get the point! I wrote them about how Sonicflood, for example, has a great new album that really ministers to the heart with great tunes but they continue to play the old Sonicflood whose members are no longer together.

If they aren’t getting the exposure from the Christian stations, then how is anyone gonna know about their CD to buy it. It seems the Contemporary Christian stations (especially the one that starts with a ‘K’) have become a ‘good ole boys/gals club’ with an elitist attitude toward someone who can create music just as good or better than them outside the clique.

I like Chris Tomlin, but do you think he would be as big today without hearing his songs every 5 minutes on the radio? There seems to be some kind of favoritism going on and usually MONEY or some other kinds of COMPENSATIONS are most likely the center of it all.

]]> By: Sonny Rivera http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Sonny Rivera Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:10:39 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-20 Hi Jeff Well first off let me say I am proud to be managed by someone who is not afraid and is not conformed to the norm. Second I remind all of us who are artists and listeners that these are the last days. This dispensation we live in has our Lord and Saviour knocking at the door; with that being said then obviously alot of things are not going to go the way they should, especially when it comes to ministry and end-time focus. We lose track of what the purpose is of doing this music and what messages we should be relating not just to the Body of Christ, but to non-believers as well. And if the focus were more on the level of "we're running out of time" then there should and would be a dramatic change in the format of alot of things, including music ministry and radio. Between the numbers game and the industry/advertising/exclusive cliques thing we really hinder ourselves and give a misinterpretation and representation to the world. Some say we are no better than carnal radio. I especially pinpoint urban radio. We preach about us being one body and ending discrimination, but half of their listeners don't know who Casting Crowns is or Big Daddy Weave unless someone "reinterprets" their music into a format more "agreeable"; and even then if you're not in the Kirk/Sapp/Mary Mary/Kurt Carr/J Moss circle, you really aren't acknowledge as being relevant, especially if you're an independant. It took Israel years before we even recognized who he was and you see how he is being used of God. So to all be encouraged and stay true to what God has given you to do in your music ministry. The Lord will make sure that whoever it is intended to hear the songs given to us by Him they will hear them; and there is a wind of change blowing that will soon have radio and industry banging down the door for those of us who have stayed the path and continued to uphold our level of committment and standard to Christ in our music. Above all, an old song in the church stated: "If I can help just one somebody as i travel along this road, then my living shall not be in vain." If only one person heard my music and they were saved into the Grace and the Kingdom, then it was all worh it. Hi Jeff
Well first off let me say I am proud to be managed by someone who is not afraid and is not conformed to the norm.
Second I remind all of us who are artists and listeners that these are the last days. This dispensation we live in has our Lord and Saviour knocking at the door; with that being said then obviously alot of things are not going to go the way they should, especially when it comes to ministry and end-time focus.
We lose track of what the purpose is of doing this music and what messages we should be relating not just to the Body of Christ, but to non-believers as well. And if the focus were more on the level of “we’re running out of time” then there should and would be a dramatic change in the format of alot of things, including music ministry and radio. Between the numbers game and the industry/advertising/exclusive cliques thing we really hinder ourselves and give a misinterpretation and representation to the world. Some say we are no better than carnal radio.
I especially pinpoint urban radio. We preach about us being one body and ending discrimination, but half of their listeners don’t know who Casting Crowns is or Big Daddy Weave unless someone “reinterprets” their music into a format more “agreeable”; and even then if you’re not in the Kirk/Sapp/Mary Mary/Kurt Carr/J Moss circle, you really aren’t acknowledge as being relevant, especially if you’re an independant. It took Israel years before we even recognized who he was and you see how he is being used of God.
So to all be encouraged and stay true to what God has given you to do in your music ministry. The Lord will make sure that whoever it is intended to hear the songs given to us by Him they will hear them; and there is a wind of change blowing that will soon have radio and industry banging down the door for those of us who have stayed the path and continued to uphold our level of committment and standard to Christ in our music.
Above all, an old song in the church stated: “If I can help just one somebody as i travel along this road, then my living shall not be in vain.” If only one person heard my music and they were saved into the Grace and the Kingdom, then it was all worh it.

]]> By: Jerry Yates http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Jerry Yates Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:00:38 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-19 I am probably too old to get involved in this discussion, but in my opinion, (and it is only that, with very little worth)most of these stations ran out of music a long time ago. The CCM industry seems to have gone the way of the Country Music industry, which requires its artists to all be within a certain young age bracket and all sound just alike. The resulting product, over the past several years, makes me think about the old TV hamburger commercial, where the little old lady yells, "Where's the beef?!" There just doesn't seem to be any meat or muscle to the sound, and the lyrics to many of the songs are just as lacking. Now, I'll be the first to tell you that I'm not anywhere close to being an authority on this subject, and I promise that I don't mean to sound like I'm criticizing the artists. Heck, those we're discussing are on major labels, and I've been trying to accomplish that myself, ever since I got my first guitar for my 10th birhday,47 years ago! Actually, I wised up and stopped pursuing a label about six years ago, but it just seems that if an artist or record company is really serious, or has a sincere, God sent desire to win the lost to Christ, or encourage, offer hope, and strengthen believers who are struggling, they should use the type of sound, to which whatever target group they are after can genuinely relate. But, like I said, I'm probably too old to be in this discussion. I just want to help bring people into the Kingdom, and then help them out in some way, until together, we stand face to face with Jesus. I hope I didn't offend anybody. I am probably too old to get involved in this discussion, but in my opinion, (and it is only that, with very little worth)most of these stations ran out of music a long time ago. The CCM industry seems to have gone the way of the Country Music industry, which requires its artists to all be within a certain young age bracket and all sound just alike. The resulting product, over the past several years, makes me think about the old TV hamburger commercial, where the little old lady yells, “Where’s the beef?!” There just doesn’t seem to be any meat or muscle to the sound, and the lyrics to many of the songs are just as lacking.
Now, I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not anywhere close to being an authority on this subject, and I promise that I don’t mean to sound like I’m criticizing the artists. Heck, those we’re discussing are on major labels, and I’ve been trying to accomplish that myself, ever since I got my first guitar for my 10th birhday,47 years ago! Actually, I wised up and stopped pursuing a label about six years ago, but it just seems that if an artist or record company is really serious, or has a sincere, God sent desire to win the lost to Christ, or encourage, offer hope, and strengthen believers who are struggling, they should use the type of sound, to which whatever target group they are after can genuinely relate. But, like I said, I’m probably too old to be in this discussion. I just want to help bring people into the Kingdom, and then help them out in some way, until together, we stand face to face with Jesus. I hope I didn’t offend anybody.

]]> By: J Brian Hill http://mmgi.org/home/2009/03/20/the-survey-are-major-christian-radio-stations-running-out-of-music-part-one/comment-page-1/#comment-18 J Brian Hill Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:13:14 +0000 http://mmgi.org/home/?p=334#comment-18 Jeff: Brave and Noble of you to reveal the truth behind some radio formats. I'm there are hundreds of stations still out there playing artists that are not on the big 3 labels... or is it now 2? What's that I hear in the wind, what's that I see on the horizon? Oooooo a change! Though I do wish I was the Lord Jesus coming back again, that would be so much better than radio! Brian Jeff:

Brave and Noble of you to reveal the truth behind some radio formats. I’m there are hundreds of stations still out there playing artists that are not on the big 3 labels… or is it now 2?

What’s that I hear in the wind, what’s that I see on the horizon? Oooooo a change! Though I do wish I was the Lord Jesus coming back again, that would be so much better than radio!

Brian

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