Usually, when I drive in my car, I don’t listen to the radio. I like the silence and the chance to simply take in the scenery. Lately, however, H has taken to driving my car around town, and he’s a big time music person. The radio is always on with him, proving once again, that opposites attract.
Today, when I got in my car to drive to Omaha to fortify my supply of the only foundation in a one hundred mile radius that matches my complexion, I discovered H had the radio on a new-to-me radio station. And I liked it. I really liked it! I listened and sang along, all the way to Omaha, turning up the bass and the volume and not caring if anyone saw me as I passed by on my way to the mall. And then, I did the same thing on my drive home to Lincoln.
At one point, I tried to call H because I couldn’t remember who sings, “Somebody’s gonna hurt someone, before the night is through…” but he didn’t pick up his phone (it’s the Eagles). I sang along with Elton John and Billy Joel and The Emotions and Cindy Lauper and The Doobie Brothers and James Taylor and the Commodores and Stevie Wonder and the Captain and Tennille. I’m telling you, this station wasn’t missing a trick. They had something for everyone…or, at least everyone who grew up in the seventies and eighties.
So then, of course, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln, I started to wonder why the Christian radio stations aren’t more like the “all the hits” station I listened to today on my drive. I’m going to be honest with you. I quickly get my fill of those popular Christian music stations that cater to one demographic, enforcing the demographic divide we see in churches each Sunday morning. And (naturally) I can’t figure it out.
I’m guessing your Christian music playlist looks a lot like mine. You’ve probably got some Lecrae and Tye Tribbett mixed in with Hillsong and Matt Redman. But, I can’t think of a Christian radio station that would play these artists together in the same set. Everybody’s singing about the same Jesus (right?), but for some reason, it doesn’t seem to work to get everyone together on the radio waves.
It’s the same thing I keep wishing I didn’t have to keep talking about. I really wish I could put this whole thing to rest, you know? Just when I think I’ve said my last “going there” word, I realize all over again we’re not there, yet. It’s as if God says to me, “I’ve got one more thing I’d like to point out…” And when these things happen, I’m always hoping someone will chime in and say something like, “You’ve got it all wrong! The Christian radio stations in my car are mixing it up! They play Hezekiah Walker and Bill Gaither and Amy Grant and Shane and Shane and Yolanda Williams and Donny McClurkin, and all in the same set! Get a life, girlfriend! Lighten up! It’s all good out here! Seriously!”
So, I’m wondering if you can help a sister out. Is there a popular Christian radio station out there that plays music by a diverse selection of artists? I know radio is a business, and the stations have to watch the bottom line. But what’s the chance a Christian radio station could truly play “all the hits” and still find they’re being good stewards of their resources, making good business decisions, and modeling something new in the world of Christian music? If you’ve got a station you can recommend to me, I’d be so very grateful if you’d share in the comments. Thanks!
mmm … maybe we can design our own on Pandora?
just thinkin’ …
I think that’s the way to go Linda. The station in NY is KLove and it’s just recycled tapes of the same songs and loads of advertising. It’s Pandora for me…all the way.
Lisha, what stations do you have on Pandora?
I like that idea, Linda. It sounds as if Carey is doing something similar on Spotify. I’m going to have to hop over there and figure that out!
I create a various Spotify playlists and share them. I did one for my current Summer series on Joy and it has been so fun creating community with music. I use music a lot with clients to help them keep their thoughts centered as they work towards breaking down the lies in their mind so there is a lot of power in it. It also find it can help moms when things are frazzled or when they are trying to help shift the mood in the home. We use the Happy Song in our house for putting away laundry,etc… makes laundry doing soooo much more fun.
I think that Happy Song makes a whole lot of things much more fun! I have a Spotify account, but I’m not quite sure what to do with it. How is it different from Pandora?
Spotify took me a bit to figure out but once I did I then developed a crush. The beauty is you can design you own station/playlist with specific songs rather than just having suggested songs…but you can also have suggested songs. So it is like the best of both worlds. We can set you up at Allume if you aren’t rocking it by then. 😀
I think about this sometimes too. We have one here (and I think it is available in other states too) called RadioU and they play a lot of *harder* Christian music, more alternative sounding stuff, and even some metal (eek!) but I have to admit, I don’t think they play Matt Redman. They Do play Owl City (whom I love) and so I feel they have a better variety than our family friendly Christian station that plays the top 20 over and over….and over. Here’s what I want, I want a station that plays Christa Wells, and Shaun Groves, and Drew Holcomb, and Tedashi, and Family Force Five, and Ellie Holcomb and Jason Camp, and Taj and…and… So what I end up doing is buying a lot of music, and building playlists on my iphone. I’ve almost given up on radio.
Me too. I’ve almost given up on radio. This weekend, however, I’m in Arkansas and I rented a car to go visit a friend. On the drive, I found a black gospel radio station and my heart soared! I played that station for as long as it would let me, before dissolving into a staticky mess as I drove out of range. What I heard on that station is something I don’t hear in Nebraska, and it was a message I needed—like hearing my native tongue spoken after spending years in a country where no one speaks my language. So, as I said in my response to Jessica, sometimes, I think we simply need to hear someone telling our story in musical form. Other times—and here’s the challenge—we need to sit for a while and listen as someone else sings us their story. Which means I need to find some of this Owl City and Rend Collective, so I know that story, too. 🙂
I think you’re on to something here, Deidra. I never thought about one station offering a mix. As I just wrote on your FB, I definitely like a wide range of styles. A Christian station that offers that mix would be awesome.
I’m beginning to wonder if Spotify and Pandora will make these kinds of questions obsolete. That would be nice.
You had me until Bill Gaither. 😉 I just spent several days at a small music festival where a number of (mostly) indie Christian artists and those who appreciate them gathered. It was amazing and refreshing to be a part of something where the push is not marketing but authenticity and community. Not that those on radio aren’t authentic, it’s just that it creates this divide between artist and listener. Something is happening in the world of Christian music, walls are coming down and it is so encouraging. Also, a number of the musicians were visual artists who brought some of their work with them as well. So cool. Personally as far as radio, i would love for some Spanish worship to be in the mix too! Who knows how many fb friends would un-friend me for THAT comment!
That music festival sounds great! Where was it? What was it?
It’s called Escape to the Lake at Lake Geneva, Wis, this was the 2nd year for it. The musicians & their families stay there as well and it is a community type atmosphere as opposed to just concerts. The last night I accidentally sat at one of the tables where the musicians usually gravitated to (oops–it was empty at the time 🙂 I ended up having some cool convos with Jason Gray and Lori Chaffer of Waterdeep about their own musical tastes, our families, normal conversation. The artists were all very approachable like that. I hope i can go back next year. It is hosted by Under the Radar.
Ok, Miss Deidra, so I am probably the wrong lady to be reading this post, which, btw, is well written and logically, beautifully pondered. But may I just throw a fly in the musical ointment? While I certainly do love much contemporary Christian music, I don’t read any classical composers in this mix. This something my mother and I often lament. We love hearing in church (or on radio) the deep, complex, and harmonically intricate music of Christian classical composers like Bach, Mendelssohn, and contemporary classical composers like Rutter. (And I might add that lyrics of this kind of music is theologically profound as well). I wish I could encourage my friends and family to add to their love of contemporary hits the majesty and glory of classical Christian. So . . . not disagreeing with you, dear one, in terms of mixing it up, but would love to add sacred classical to the mix. 🙂
Oh, you know, along the lines of division and barriers, and this may sound so strange when you are talking about music, but I am wondering why we don’t have “mixed” mortuaries. If anybody can answer that, I’m all ears. i attended the most beautiful wake a few days ago where Blacks and Whites were entertwined in love, prayers, hugs, and tears. It was so extraordinary. Still, the lady was laid out in a “White” funeral parlor. I don’t know . . . I just have been wondering about this.
Love you Deidra–always and ever.
Lynn
Deidra, maybe this is what you mean–are you asking for an Internet radio station that would play all styles of contemporary Christian music? I have Internet radio, and love it. I have access to thousands and thousands of channels. Surely, you could find the station of your dreams among those kinds of options.
You can always speak your mind over here, Lynn! Always! My mom plays the violin, and I grew up listening to all types of music so I agree with you. When I wrote this, I knew I was leaving classical music out, and I just went with it, to keep our heads from spinning. 🙂 One of my favorites—and this may be cliché—is Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. H and I first remember hearing this together when we lived in Connecticut, and the song always takes us back to the winding, New England roads in the Fall.
You often leave my head spinning, Deidra, in the best of ways! You ALWAYS make me think, and I love that about you. Oh, how wonderful that your mother influenced you in this way, and the violin is such a difficult instrument to play. Wow! My mother was my influence in terms of my love for classical music. She plays piano, plus, she always had her radio tuned to the classical station. Oh my dear, there is absoluytely nothing cliche about Vivaldi. The Four Seasons is masterful, and what a glorious memory for you w/ H and those winding N.England roads–almost as if the music had been written just for meandering on them. Im sure you know Vivaldi’s Gloria as well (perfect for church :).
Oh I so remember some of that music, especially captain and Tenille I was very disappointed when they recently divorced. I was in high school late 60’s early 70’s and I do have some of those ‘albums’ still in storage. Even original ‘young’ Michael Jackson of the Jackson five. Diana Ross and the supremes, Simon and Garfunkel. Yep all those great singers and more.
I know! I just heard about The Captain and Tenille’s divorce! The end of an era. Well, I guess they haven’t really recorded anything new in a while, so the era actually ended years (decades?) ago. Still…sad to hear about the divorce.
I believe it is to identify the genre of the station that keeps radio less creative and more structured. I worked at gospel radio sration quite a few years ago and there was no way artists that were contemporary would be combined with traditional hymns or gospel. Cece winans never gets played on the stations that I listen to but thankfully I now have Spotify to create my own playlist. This also goes for worship at church. I would love a huge variety of music to worship.
I’m with you, Simone, regarding the music in church. When I attended the Jubilee Conference earlier this year, they did what I considered to be a masterful job of incorporating all different types of music throughout the event (including classical, Lynn ;)). It truly felt like a foretaste of heaven. Later, I learned some of the people on the worship team who were involved with the planning and implementation didn’t feel they had reached the mark they’d been aiming for when they put the programs together. But, from where I sat, it was quite a beautiful experience.
I like to build a pandora station and sing in the car. Frequently I will sit in silence to let the Lord have a place to speak, but there are just as many times, I sing harmony to all of the songs I know. In my heart, God like to hear me sing.
I am sure God loves hearing you sing to him, Diane. I’m sure you bring great joy to God’s heart. I think Pandora may be edging out the radio stations, huh?
If my DREAM to own a Christian radio station becomes TRUE, I most certainly will cater to all demographics every day with good quality programs and inspiring, uplifting songs across the music world from Amy Grant to Kirk Franklin and Rachael Lampa to CeCe Winans! 🙂 Can I get an AMEN?! 🙂 Pray for me, it truly is one of my big dreams!
Amen! Let us know when your dream comes true, Alexis! It sounds as if there’s a crew right here who would joyfully tune in!
Thanks Deidra! I certainly hope so! 🙂
The more I live this out and consider the implications of all the questions I seem to keep asking, I have to believe there’s a connection, somehow, to theology. Black gospel music serves a different purpose than popular Christian praise music. When I listen to the lyrics of black gospel and compare it to (for example) the music on KLove, I notice a clear difference in theological focus. The God of black music is a healer, a deliverer, a friend who sticks closer than a brother, a way out of no way, a presence in the darkness and in the toughest days. These lyrics speak to the experiences of a people group who still struggle with the effects of racism and discrimination and lack of access.
My husband has a thing he says: “You can’t help but tell your story.” I think that’s what we’re hearing in the different messages of the music. The stories of those whose cultural experience of God are different are reflected in our music, and sometimes, maybe it’s just easier (?) to listen to the telling of our stories, finding comfort in the fact someone else feels what we feel.
All of this, in my opinion, reinforces your very wise declaration: “Dare us to accept or even just try something more; something different.” That’s where I think the bottom line might clash with Christ’s prayer for us to be one, even as he and the Father are one. Pushing people to think differently is not always the most lucrative decision—especially when you’ve found a formula that has a positive impact on the bottom line.
hey, it’s great to read you again after (yet another) a break from blogging. i don’t know christian music but enjoyed the scene of loud fun music blaring out of your speeding car. i can definitely relate to that. you’ve always been a great writer; you’ve only gotten better. enjoyed reading about the retreat, too, and look forward to reading more. hope you are doing very well- and it sounds like it! your site looks fantastic:)
Ed!!!! So good to see you here!!! You have made my day!
Excellent, Deidra.
I remember when John worked for Word, and we went to Nashville for a sales conference. The music was very segregated. But I’ll never forget being at a lunch when Kirk Franklin and The Family took the stage, and in the back of the ballroom, a busboy came out of the kitchen and danced.
Oops! This comment was trapped in my spam folder. I don’t know how that happened, but I rescued it!
And, just in time for me to say, “Amen!” It’s important to distinguish between being one and being the same. They are not the same thing. Thanks for that reminder, and my apologies for leaving you floundering in the spam folder!
Diversity is so beautiful when you write it! 😉
I know I am very late responding to this post, but my husband and I talk about this frequently. My husband and I both grew up in traditional African-American Baptist churches and for a variety of reasons, we recently left my childhood church where I’ve been a member for 20 years and have joined a congregation that is predominantly white. My husband was involved in the music ministry at our old church and is getting involved in the music ministry at our new church. We both love contemporary gospel, traditional gospel, crossover music (e.g. Israel Houghton, William McDowell, Chris Tomlin), and Spanish gospel, and contemporary Christian music and we often wonder why there is no station that you can listen to that has all of this music? I just don’t understand. We live very close to Philadelphia and we have to flip between Praise 103.9 and K-love to get the variety that we enjoy. I once heard my current pastor say that as Christians, even if we don’t typically enjoy a certain type of Christian music, that we should see what happens if we prayerfully submit to it. I must admit, I never was a fan of “Christian” music. I mostly liked gospel, because that is what I knew and that is what we sang in church. But I sincerely enjoy it all now. I love reading your posts. You really speak my heart. As Christians, I think we do get comfortable with our boxes…I know I did for a very long time! I am not completely comfortable at my new church, because I do look very different and sometimes I am self-conscious about that, but the same spirit of God that lived in my old church is present in my new church, and I am submitting to that. Praise God for your ministry! I love love love reading your posts!
Well done, Diedra. I’m a pastor, musician, and worship artist living in California. I’ve listened to KLOVE since the 80’s when Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, Sandi Patty and the like were the top artists. Rarely have I heard any African-American artists on the station. This is deeply concerning to me as I have spent years working toward unity in the Body of Christ. In our city, as in most of America, the racial divisions are complex and run deep. Each generation has a chance to bridge the divides, but it seems that it’s one step forward, two steps back. KLOVE, in my opinion, has an opportunity to do its part in introducing it’s predominately white constituency to other voices in the Christian community. It has not done so, and thus becomes part of the problem rather than the solution.
I think that the racism needs to stop. And I think that they should just play all artists and not stop playing them. For example, if you find out that from Internet research that an artist is still doing music that they are still active, they should be required to still play them non-stop. Like every time an artist comes out with a song, the Christian radio station should be required to still play that artist or artists. If we want to hear what is not of the top, we go buy CDs.
I really wish that they would play songs that are NOT of the top ten, even if it is only played every great once in a while. I go to a church called City Church that does stuff at church that you won’t hear on the radio and some of it is from artists I have never heard of that they will not play any of their songs and that’s wrong. I think that they SHOULD be required to play every single Christian artist on the radio without hesitation and without the thought of the money, even if the music’s real wild and even if it is worship music. There is some really good stuff out there that they refuse to play. Like I really wish that they would just play stuff from Lauren Daigle that’s not of the top ten and that’s not what is the​ most popular. I listen to Wayfm and Klove and they play only the top ten songs and what’s most popular. And when you go on a long road trip, there are songs that mostly​ states, like Florida where I live, refuse to play. For example, you won’t hear a lot of the stuff from Florida to Texas. Another example, you will not hear​ a lot of songs from Florida to Tennessee.