How do you image Southern Gospel radio?

[skippertthomas]

Funny?  I was with Way-Fm from its first signal in Fort Myers and have done CCM and Chr/Rock formats in the spectrum.. But, I grew up on Southern Gospel and find it's polished approach in this day very appealing to rural and regional areas of the midwest and south... With a good ground conductivity (I don't know what market you're in) and a 5kw signal, you can develop a great audience that can be of value to listeners 30 and up... With the strong Country mass-appeal to 18 and ups, alot of 30 and ups would split time between their mainstream Country FM and a PROFESSIONAL and well groomed Rural Gospel AM with good processing and programming in streamline.. If you run programs, midday (10 to 1) or evenings, if you have a limited night coverage..But, you can make a great sounding station on inexpensive on-line software and add the elements (jingles, liners and such) to give it a 'trademark sound'.. I'd enjoy doing what you're getting ready to do... And if you want to make a legend in the format, do what other Southern or Rural Gospel Stations have forgot to do... BE SALT.. Don't just be at the SG Festival or Concerts at the local Protestant congregations, take the station to the marketplace.. Fairs, Blood Drives, Koman, Habitate, Children's Hospital Drives.. Get involved with civic help groups that Christians belong to....Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimist, Jr. Leauge, Jaycees.. PUSH OUT from the four walls of traditional Christain Radio and The Church Buildings... Would love to know what market or region you're in... 

[jimmyfish]

Skip, Let's just put it this way. You know the market WELL! If I had worked at CIL about 10 years earlier, we would have worked together lol. I think you probably know the station now. You just said said my exact plan man! Make it sound a little slick, but keep it down home and get out there! The reason I mentioned some of the cross-over positive country is to try to get some shared listening and groom a little younger,( I know they have a lot of other options and a lot of them listen to secular). But you have to look to the future and try to offer reasons to get them to tune in and try to keep them and become a part of their lives. There will always be that loyal following that was raised in the church and will listen, if you groom them while they are young and make it a habit. With 5000 watts I think you can garner a larg enough audiance to make some money and do some good. But if you don't aim a little younger, no offense to senior citizens, but one day you will not have any listeners. I know the way to do that is probably by playing some CCM, but as we know that is on FM and is not an option. But getting into their lives by doing the high school games and being out in the public and maybe a weekly high school update, hosted by some highly recomended speech students, would be a good start I think.

[rbrucecarter5]

become a part of their lives. There will always be that loyal following that was raised in the church and will listen, if you groom them while they are young and make it a habit. With 5000 watts I think you

Do I have to state the obvious?  According to James Dobson, fully 80% of children fall into the "strong willed" category.  You all know what happens when kids get to be teenagers and you try to tell them what to listen to.  No kid can be forced into a SG musical taste, they will like what they like.  You will get a tiny minority of them - because some will like the music.  But realistically - you will never be relevant as a teen and young professional station.  Your station will be a dead spot on the dial as they tune to CCM or secular formats. 

[skippertthomas]

rBruce.. I don't think 'Fish' is saying a MAJOR chunk of the younger, but knowing the culture of that lower part of a midwest state, I would safely say that 15 to 20% of the Protestant kids actually don't mind the slicker Southern Gospel sound.. I know this well from my travels, youth work and talking with the younger Church culture in 'these parts'.... It's like...You'd be suprised at the niche of kids that like George Jones, Bluegrass and older forms of Country...  You can't really put an exact finger on 90% or greater of youth numbers today...Even east coast rap and west coast rap  have burned out with a lot of suburban white kids.... "Fish"... Man! Anything I can do for you (as a 'CIL-Alum' and born in SI), let me know.. I am just up the road in Evansville and doing the "Dance Party" at WIKY... I have something hot on the backburner, I'll share as time passes... ALSO, the above came from a long time CCM teen jock, PD, MD and GM...... There is a place for slick SG that's real and in the streets........Just as country was held back from the metros for years by narrow casted programming by people that wanted to sound 'hick'.....Look at Country Radio, now!
"This ain't your Grandpa's Southern Gospel Station".. Oh!   Processing is EVERYTHING in AM.....Find a used Optimod AM and make it sweet from the Mic to the Air-Chain.... "Skipper T."

[jimmyfish]

I know that I am not going to target the kids by no stretch of the imagination. I am going to atleast let them know I am here and hope that they mature into the format and I know that the mainstream will probably not be here, except for the few features that I do that might connect with them (like high school sports ect).

Skip, thanks for the support. I love E-ville. I worked at STO for awhile back in 99/2000. I did not realize you were there. I knew you had some history in the market. So I guess Deb is gone, wow! I always tuned in when I was in range and heard her doing it for years. I will have to let you know when I am going to be in town. I would love to have you come in town when I finally get the deal done.

[cARLOS Blake]

Almost the same way I would image Xmas music...warm & fuzzy...let the song fade out almost completely before a mellow sounding drone or bed begins...let it play around 7 seconds before goice guy even starts...let music under him play another 6 seconds or so into next tune. Maybe a couple with achoustic guitar or a single french horn...man voice: "WXXX 101.3 AM The Voice" then female "Keeping families together in BlaBlah County"

and of course some sizzly ones to run during the games. If games aren't sold out they're perfect tools to promote regular programming or cross promote another station. Good Luck!    & Warm & Fuzzy & a touch of a "Down home" feel.

[neutralobserver]

Well, if we're actually going to talk about the topic, I would suggest looking for the production and imaging work parts country was using 15-20 years ago.  Unlike the slightly twangy pop/rock of the material today, those cuts still had a definite country sound, especially as you get more in that 20-20+ area.  And they should still be fairly readily available. 
 

[rbrucecarter5]

hope that they mature into the format

See - here - this is the problem I am talking about.  An implication that Southern Gospel music is for "more mature" Christians.  It is no more appropriate for you to say that about SG that it would be for me to say I hope they mature into Christian rock music.  Both formats glorify the Lord, both formats are useful for reaching people for Christ / enriching their walk.  Yours is no better than any other style in that regard.  It just gets lower ratings among young people, and therefore is less effective as a medium for reaching young people.

[skippertthomas]

Bruce... I think "Fish" is not putting the format card in play.. If you're raised in a 'rural', 'urban', 'suburban' or 'seeker' type of Christian Culture, you hope that the younger edge of your local Christian gathering 'matures' with the culture around them.. Hey?  I've done CCM for years and do a real edgy 'Spurgeon' type of Alternative format, now...  I don't see "Fish" trying to say that.. He's a ol' teen jock from many commercial CHR's.......He knows better than that.... "Skip"

[justalurker]

hope that they mature into the format

See - here - this is the problem I am talking about.  An implication that Southern Gospel music is for "more mature" Christians.

Ever been to a Gaither concert? Or a concert for any of the artists that appear at a homecoming?
Mature is a kind description of the Southern Gospel audience!