Welcome to the latest installment of SoGospelNews.com. Every month I will be coming at you with, hopefully, some topics and ideas that will make the industry think. It is our desire here at SoGospelNews.com to help further the industry in every aspect possible. So in addition to providing news, reviews and interviews, hopefully this view will be one taken seriously.
Radio. It is a staple in the music industry. It does not matter if you are singing blues, country, Christian pop, Southern Gospel or hip-hop, if you are an artist, you rely on radio play. And unfortunately, in this industry, it can make or break you. So this leads me to beg this question: Why is Southern Gospel radio, something the artists rely on to get their name and their songs out, so many years behind? Why is it that Southern Gospel radio can not be as innovative or cutting-edge as the other genre's currently eating up the airwaves? Why do people assume that Southern Gospel radio is for only the blue haired ladies in their church?
With all that said, I want to touch on four basic ways that radio can get back in they game.
1. Catch up with today's radio jargon.
This is one thing that the industry absolutely must do to be seen as a viable form of radio programming. It amazed me recently when one of the major Southern Gospel record labels adopted the "Going for Ads" slogan that has been used for years in other genres. As far as I know, they are the first to ever use this slogan. This is a phrase that helps radio stations know when record labels are interested in a certain song hitting the airwaves. In other words, it keeps radio stations all on the same page. However, this is a totally new concept to Southern Gospel. Not only will this help radio stations, but charting will begin to be more accurate as a result. When talking with various radio stations recently, I was continually shocked at how many were not familiar with common radio slogans. To the average fans, these terms mean nothing. However in radio, these phrases should be used constantly within the field. If SG radio expects to compete against other genres for air space, it must get all the stations in agreement. If every station is on the same page, it can only get better.
2. Listen before you play.
This is probably going to be more controversial than intended for the first time out, but listen up. Don't play a song by an artist just because they are a staple artist. If the song stinks, don't play it. I can think of countless radio singles of late which were immediately sent to the top of the charts simply on name recognition alone. Now, repeat after me: "I will not play just anything by an artist, because I have played them in the past. I will listen before I play." Half of the reason Southern Gospel radio is in the state it is in is because of program director's failure to weed out the bad songs.
3. Notice the up and coming artists who are on the cutting edge.
Does Southern Gospel want to reach a younger audience? Well then, play what they are interested in. Now, I'm not saying go and turn yourself into a pop station. Find out what it is that connects with the young people. Which artists are making an impact with the youth today? Which artists' songs have a more progressive sound that young people won't immediately dismiss? Why are young people coming to hear groups like The Martins, LordSong, 3 for 1, Chosen Few and The Crabb Family? Trust me on this one. They have the sound that is going to dominate Southern Gospel in the next few years. Jump the gun on this one and start adding them to your play lists now.
4. Get better DJs.
I know this is going to hurt some feelings here, but it must be said. Southern Gospel radio can not and will not become a viable form of radio programming if Uncle Billy and the Altar Boys are doing your weekly radio shows. Hire some DJs who are talented and who can really connect with your audience. Get some younger on-air talent who has a desire to see the industry grow, not just get a paycheck. This is something Southern Gospel absolutely must do to stake their claim in radio. If we don't, it will only get worse.
Radio is the most important thing going for Southern Gospel right now in terms of getting the name out there. However, if the casual listener is just passing through the channels, he's not going to stay somewhere that's embarrassing or that he doesn't connect with. These four things aren't going to answer every problem in Southern Gospel radio, but it is a start.
Tune in next month as I tackle the issue of Southern Gospel and the Great Commission.
Chris Unthank
Southern Spin, Inc
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 04/01/2003
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 33
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
|
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
Chris,
I have to agree with Pamela, I know that in our area SG goes head to head with other stations & it seems to be getting better. We are beginning to see stations that really are serving up what the listeners are asking for. I guess my biggest question is just how long radio in general will be able to survive. I know of one station in our area that has changed formats 5 different times. They still don't know if their Christian, pop, rock, country or pop again. I have been doing some personal surveys and observations among teens & twenties. Most of them listen less to radio than any other group I have ever known. If they are in the car they listen to their cd players. The biggest complaint I hear: "They play the same artist over and over and over." With advances in technology & the way we get our entertainment I really wonder just how long radio will last?
Hey man, great article. I think you have already done what you said you would do and that is ruffle a few feathers.
Just curious, Brian, where do you live? And for the record, these feathers are far from ruffled.
I think you guys are missing the point. How exactly is adopting radio jargon, getting more appropriate djs, noticing what is the next big thing is, and listening before you play not reality?
All I have to say is, if anyone from Salem Broadcasting is reading these, please check in on your Atlanta station and see if we can't make some major changes here. I personally cannot get the local station unless I am within a few miles of the tower, and on top of that the song selection tends to leave more than a bit to be desired when I do get to listen. "Which Came First, The Chicken Or The Egg" is not my idea of a song that should be getting played 2 or 3 times within a 4 hour period as I have heard done. It's a great novelty song for the toddlers, but I prefer something a BIT different.
While I am not the radio person that Pam is, I did learn a good deal about how the smaller SGM stations are run when I spent four years working part time at a small station, and face it the majority of SGM station are small. Chris has pretty well hit the nail on the head. Had I written the artilce I could have found a whole lot more changes that are needed, not to operate, but to compete with other genres. I know for a fact that some of the DJs are sent to work not ever hearing what they are about to play, and that is why a lot of junk that people turn off is being played. I have had station managers tell me that if they let younger people DJ then they want to play the more contemporary stuff. I know that the most contemporary stuff that these stations have is the GVB. In other words they don't want to play anything that isn't traditional quartet. That is where we are falling way behind the other genres. There is so much good music out there to be played, that I am disappointed when even the big satellite stations play some of the poor quality that they do. This article said a lot of things that needed to be said, but I would have said a lot more.
lol.... Come on now Hurley! Are you saying that Little Roy didn't bring you to a soul searching mountaintop experience with that tune? lol..... What is it with these "major market areas?" We started watching some of the Charlotte, NC (major market for our area) TV stuff and man, I thought I stepped back in time to the fifties again. I'm talking stuff that looks like it was put together as a class project by a bunch of fifth graders. I guess major market doesn't always mean "smartest market" lol Media, radio & tv really need some help. I mean, Atlanta?
I have been saying these same things for years. I do not know if we are supposed to know Pamela Furr, but I do not think that one has to walk in someone's shoes to voice an opinion on improving something. Every one of these points were well spoken and things I have heard first hand on many radio stations across the country. I agree that radio is better today, but....you can figure out the rest.
Here ye, Here ye. Atlanta Radio Has Been Awakened!
This is so interesting. Daniel you said that you aren't talent scouts, but shouldn't the radio stations at least recognize talent? I mean if the song isn't any good, doesn't matter who recorded it, it probably shouldn't be played.
I agree with most of the article. Why is SGM so hard to sell to businesses? In our market most don't want to advertise on gospel rad because they say no one listens to AM radio. This includes the Christian business owners. I have had this told to me many times as I was an independent programer for sixteen years. I had to go off the air because of lack of support. My biggest complaint with radio in our area is the use of the computer to replace the DJ. The stations using the computer for their music is just repeating the same songs at least every 6 to 12 hours. No one knows who is singing what, who a new group is, where they are from, or even where a song is on the chart. Yes it is cheaper to run a station without DJs but who wants to listen.
Good points Mike! If you take it one step further, what about the whole station consolidation that is airing the exact same thing in dozens of markets. To a large extent "local radio" is history. Just like local stores & local groups & ................ As my 20 something son says: "A good MP3 player can replace most radio stations today". This is some great discussion about some important issues. Thanks Chris for pulling the chain!
Ready for another shock? Competition and change are not of the devil! Personally, I want to compete for souls that listen to those secular country stations in our area. Radio needs to sound, on the dial, just as professional and up-with-the-times as the other big dogs in the market. We don't need to compromise our message or mission statement to be successful with that.
In response to Wanda's question: "Daniel, you said that you aren't talent scouts, but shouldn't the radio stations at least recognize talent? I mean if the song isn't any good, doesn't matter who recorded it, it probably shouldn't be played. " --
Thanks for the positive feedback guys! It really is gonna take everyone getting on the same page before the face of SG radio actually starts to see a change.
<<A radio station's job is about generating more listeners and reaching more people for Christ in THEIR listening area. It's about doing GREAT radio...for their listeners. That means choosing only the BEST music and programs, DJ's, etc. >>
Pamela,
And there are companies out there that are bringing tools to the table to make it better (hint hint -- see my website).
Pam,
I SURE WISH ATLANTA HAD A STRONG RADIO STATION. YOU CAN'T HEAR THE SOLID GOSPEL STATION UNLESS YOU ARE CLOSE TO THE STATION. BUT, UNTIL WE DO HAVE A STRONG STATION, I WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY SOLID GOSPEL RADIO THRU MY SKYANGEL SATELITE DISH.
wgka in atlanta is 25,000 watts--which is pretty big for an AM radio station...where 'bouts do you live, JL?
You, sir have hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head! I spent over 25 years in Top 40 radio, and have been appalled at how many good air people, as well as sales and management people have moved into Chritian broadcasting, and seeming forgotten all professionialism they ever had! It should be the other way around..."Give of your best to the Master". I don't hear Solid Gospel anymore, but when they first came on, they sounded like a bunch of young kids who knew nothing about the business and were having fun with a new toy. Good radio is good radio, no matter the format, and since other formats are now sounding "worser & worser", it's time for Southern Gospel to show 'em what it's all about!
I LIVE ABOUT 20 MILES FROM THEIR STATION. BUT I CAN ONLY HEAR IT WHEN I AM CLOSE TO THAT AREA. I WISH THERE WAS A GOOD F.M. STATION.
My question for the DJ's is this, why should an artist have to be on a major label to get recognition? I know of MANY groups who are not on major labels, not because they can't be, but because they don't want to be. They prefer dealing with someone that they know personally and that takes them personally. Someone that will do the best they can just because that is what they are supposed to do.
One of the major problems with stations is they are getting away from true southern gospel and going to country gospel. I am told by fans that spend a lot of money on gospel music they are tired of the country and solo gospel sound and playing CD's of the groups they like. Pay attention solid gospel stations.
Dwight,
Rick Cody here of "THE GOSPEL STATION"... As a 25 year vet of this business, 4 in sg radio, I agree totally with your thoughts regarding sg radio... We have 2 stations in our area that we've had to overcome their "image" that they've set for sg radio...Number 1.... Playing anything and everything they get...Trying to make everyone happy....It can't be done....Number 2...Begging for money all the time...Number 3...Volunteer d-j's....Well meaning folks who want to help.... but.....Our station is voice tracked for one reason...We at this stage can't afford to pay for a whole staff of talented jocks.... I promise you this..With the computer technology today you can make it sound so "live" most folks don't know.... It takes lots of effort..Which sad to say most folks don't want to do...... I also wish more stations would get out of the trying to sound like the secular station down the street and focus on "Christ".... I love the artists that we play but they will NEVER be the focus of what we do.... It's the message of the songs that drive our ministries...Whether it's a slow song or fast, known group or unknown, the message has to be what it's all about..You can still sound professional without taking the focus off of HIM!!....Again here in Oklahoma that's what we're trying to do....
Mark this down:
I live in central Il. We have no
THE ANSWER: dump your "on air SG station".. Listen to internet radio http://www.sglive365.com
Could your post have been any later, Chuck? This dialog was almost a year ago.
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
