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Christianity Today, February, 2007 |

Making Airwaves

Goodbye Old-Fashioned Revival Hour. Hello 'safe for the whole family.' Meet the company that's transforming Christian radio.

Madison Trammel | posted 1/26/2007 08:53AM

Forty years ago, Ardmore, Tennessee's Christian radio station would have been typical. Purchased by a neighborhood pastor, it aired church services during blocks of time the congregation could afford ...

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Jill	Posted: February 09, 2007 1:33 AM

I agree with Suzanne. My favorite radio station in the DFW market is little listener-supported KVRK (89.7 Power FM). No annoying commercials for auto insurance or what's on the tube tonight, etc. Everytime I hear the expression "safe and fun for the whole family" I turn the dial away from KLTY. I prefer music that is more on the cutting edge than "plain vanilla" anyway. Give me Decemberadio's "Dangerous" and you can have Point of Grace or Steven Curtis Chapman!

Mark	Posted: February 08, 2007 10:22 AM

It is refreshing to hear about Christian radio stations that aren't afraid to work for a living. I get tired of all things Christian attaching themselves to the 'donation' wagon. If a product is good (Christian or otherwise,) it is worth finding business sponsors to cover the cost. Why is there a need to lean on poor listeners to pay for Christian radio? Besides NPR, what other radio format takes donations? Why do Christians always seem to have their hands out for cash? To Christian non-coms I say get jobs and support yourselves! As I recall, Jesus' trade was carpentry not 'listener-supported' anything.

Suzanne

Posted: February 07, 2007 11:14 AM

I tink it's funny the way Frank Wright of the NRB was defending Salem. If this is the same Frank Wright that I'm thinking of, out of Dallas, he's is, or was, the head of KLTY, one of the largest stations on the Salem network!! My other comment is, if the other Salem stations are anything like KLTY, they're filled with commercials for tv shows no christian station should be endorsing, plus you never hear them say they are a christian station...just "safe and fun for the whole family". Are they ashamed to admit they're christian? I'll just stick with my listener supported stations, thank you.

Nick	Posted: February 01, 2007 1:06 PM

I like Christian radio, but I also follow the liturgical calendar. Christian radio doesn't. So, on the anniversary of Roe v Wade, you wouldn't necessarily hear a pro-life tune (too controversial). Nor, during Lent, would there be a moratorium of "Alleluia" songs (and, at Easter, an overabundance of same songs). They are far more interested in playing CCM Top 40, or the same Praise and Worship songs, again and again, with no end in sight. No hymns. No Gregorian chants or classical pieces. No praise and worship songs from the early Jesus movement. No Daniel Amos. If ever there was an industry that ignores its forebearers, it's the CCM industry--tell me, when was the last time you heard a new John Michael Talbot, a new Michael Card, a new Phil Keaggy, a new Don Francisco, a new Annie Herring, a new Mylon Lefevre song on the radio? (Yes, they're still making records, some of which stand as their best).

Millie

Posted: January 31, 2007 1:44 PM

I personally prefer to listen to KLOVE because I want something that will be Biblical, encourage me spiraturally, and not be affected politically by advertising dollars. I am happy to donate to support the Biblical truth, not one persons political agenda. I am not sure what you mean by major markets, but Bott Radio and KLOVE are both in some very large cities. Wth the internet available as well, stations can be accessed from anywhere so the lack of a location in a major market, doesn't mean that people in that market can't listen. I also want something that my child can freely listen to as well.

Brax	Posted: January 27, 2007 11:07 PM

1. Bott is in major markets (e.g., Nashville, Kansas City, St. Louis, OK City). Check out http://www.bottradionetwork.com/StationList.asp. 2. Would it be more ethical in reporting to state that one of Dr. Wright's bosses at NRB is Stuart Epperson? Check out the bottom of http://www.nrb.org/contactus. 3. Christians have made a huge investment in Salem through the program producers. That wad of money could be lost because Salem is publicly owned. One day the company will be bought out by a larger owner who destroy their Christian heritage. Wouldn't it be wiser for program producers to place their programs on non-publicly owned stations?

chappowers

Posted: January 27, 2007 2:04 PM

The Wal-mart of christian radio. But, I have needed to go to a small 'Mom & Pop' hardware several times to get my needed material because Wal-Mart didn't carry it. It's indeed sad to see the demise of the independent stations. Fortunately, I can listen to my Ohio station via the internet here in Phoenix where Salem blasts their brand of music & gospel from several stations here & in Calif. Hopefully, their attorneys have scruples, unlike the large christian TV networks, who squeezed out the small christian TV station owners using the Sears bait & switch method to 'steal' stations. God will be their judge.

Stephen

Posted: January 26, 2007 8:36 PM

It's unfortunate that Chuck Colson believes Christian radio should feature more teaching/preaching. There is enough of that on non-Christian stations on Sunday morning - and not even from local pulpits. Christians today need a daily spiritual lift in the form of praise/worship music, along with encouragement and information from sources like Dr. Dobson. Here in Central Florida, I am privileged to be able to listen to a station that is "Safe For The Little Ears" in the back seat; and my wife receives comfort and encouragement listening to Christian radio via satellite TV at home. I am more concerned about the dilution of the Gospel when certain evangelicals join forces with secular scientists to "save the environment." Colson would be better advised to turn his writing and speaking guns on such non-biblical collaborations. My thanks to CT for this article. And in the interest of full disclosure, my mother worked for a Salem station many years ago before she went home to be with Lord.

mark	Posted: January 26, 2007 1:04 PM

You might also consider KHCB based in the Houston area, and with a web presence as well. They focus on bringing Christian radio to the unreached markets, and work as a non-profit, no charge venue for many of the major Christian programs. They combine music for a broad age range and a significant amount of Bible programming. They're really more content driven than music driven which is a real asset for those who need to know the Word.

Mrs. Deborah Cariker

Posted: January 26, 2007 12:34 PM


You left out KSBJ-Humble/Houston when you wrote this article. They are the #1 major market Christian radio station, per the Christian music awards, and have been for several years running. They're on the web; given 'em a listen sometime!

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