Christian radio
Encyclopedia
Christian radio is a category of radio format
s that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message
. In the United States
, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music
of Christian influence, though many programs have talk
or news
programming covering associated topics that can have an economic or a political angle to them.
outlets mirror commercial radio in many ways, and music in a variety of different genre
s is available. Many stations play primarily gospel music
(whether Black Gospel or Southern Gospel
) or worship music
, while others play all formats of contemporary Christian music
including rock and roll
, pop
, rap
, country
, and alternative
. Many artists within the Christian music industry
criticize Christian radio for only playing "safe" music, and not taking enough chances on new artists, or in some cases older artists, that may not be as appealing to the largely conservative Gospel Music Association
.
Popular artists on Christian radio stations with this format include Third Day
, Michael W. Smith
, Amy Grant
, Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman
, Carman
, Sandi Patty
, Relient K
, Switchfoot
, and the Bill Gaither Trio. Note that this short list runs the gamut of Christian music formats from pop to rock to inspirational. Popular artists played on Black Gospel stations include Yolanda Adams
(who also hosts a nationally syndicated morning show aired on several stations with such a format), Kirk Franklin
, The Clark Sisters
, Kierra Sheard
, Dottie Peoples
, Melvin Williams
, Trin-i-tee 5:7
and Shirley Caesar
.
Many secular radio stations devote some of their weekend programming to Christian music; for example, Black Gospel programming is common on Sundays on many stations featuring the Urban Contemporary
format.
-style programming (sometimes including live radio call-in shows) and/or long-form "preaching and teaching" programs. Notable examples include Focus on the Family
with host Dr. James Dobson
and Living Way with Pastor Jack Hayford
; an example of an inspirational program is Moments of Melody. Radio drama
programs, long dead in most other radio formats, continue to live on Christian radio; notable examples include long running Adventures in Odyssey
and Unshackled!
as well as relative newcomers such as Down Gilead Lane
and A Work in Progress
. Still other Christian stations will feature a combination of music and long-form programs.
Many Christian radio stations have a mission to encourage their listeners in their faith through encouraging music and teaching, and through supporting ministry events within their listening area.
organization; there are reportedly 1,600 different Christian broadcasting organizations in the U.S. They range from single stations to expansive networks. It is a common practice for religious broadcasters to purchase many small broadcast translators to create networks that stretch across large regions. Moody Radio was the first example, and still one of the largest, though most of its stations broadcast stand-alone programming as well as network feeds. The WAY-FM Network
, K-LOVE
, Air 1
, and Bible Broadcasting Network
are other notable examples.
Christian radio has expanded recently and is also now available in other places such as the United Kingdom
. Premier Christian Radio
is based in the London area where it is available on medium wave and DAB; elsewhere, it is available digitally or by Internet. United Christian Broadcasters
is an international broadcasting and media company; radio stations are based in Albania
, Australia
, Canada
, Denmark
, New Zealand
and the United Kingdom.
Radio format
A radio format or programming format not to be confused with broadcast programming describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. Radio formats are frequently employed as a marketing tool, and constantly evolve...
s that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
of Christian influence, though many programs have talk
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
or news
News Radio
News Radio can refer to:* NewsRadio, the NBC sitcom which aired from 1995–1999.* News radio, the all-news or news/talk radio format....
programming covering associated topics that can have an economic or a political angle to them.
Business models of Christian radio
Some Christian radio stations are commercial in nature. Other Christian radio stations are listener-supported.Christian music
Christian music radioMusic radio
Music radio is a radio format in which music is the main broadcast content. After television replaced old time radio's dramatic content, music formats became dominant in many countries...
outlets mirror commercial radio in many ways, and music in a variety of different genre
Music genre
A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music...
s is available. Many stations play primarily gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
(whether Black Gospel or Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
) or worship music
Worship Music
Worship Music is the tenth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It is their first album of original material since 2003's We've Come for You All and the first to feature original singer Joey Belladonna since 1990's Persistence of Time...
, while others play all formats of contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
including rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, rap
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, and alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
. Many artists within the Christian music industry
Christian music industry
The Christian music industry is a small part of the larger music industry, that focuses on traditional Gospel music, Southern Gospel music, Contemporary Christian music, and alternative Christian music. It is sometimes called the gospel music industry, although this designation is not a limitation...
criticize Christian radio for only playing "safe" music, and not taking enough chances on new artists, or in some cases older artists, that may not be as appealing to the largely conservative Gospel Music Association
Gospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. There are currently about 4,000 members worldwide...
.
Popular artists on Christian radio stations with this format include Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
, Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
, Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
, Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist.After starting his career in the late 1980s as a singer/songwriter of contemporary Christian music, Chapman has since been recognized as one of the most prolific singers in the genre,...
, Carman
Carman (singer)
Carmelo Domenic Licciardello known by his stage name, Carman, is a contemporary Christian music artist and evangelist.-Biography:...
, Sandi Patty
Sandi Patty
Sandra Faye "Sandi" Patty is an American Christian music singer. For many years she was known as Sandi Patti. She has been dubbed "The Voice" by critics, because of her wide range and flexibility.-Early life:...
, Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
, and the Bill Gaither Trio. Note that this short list runs the gamut of Christian music formats from pop to rock to inspirational. Popular artists played on Black Gospel stations include Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
(who also hosts a nationally syndicated morning show aired on several stations with such a format), Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
, The Clark Sisters
The Clark Sisters
The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of four sisters:Jacky Clark Chisholm, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard. A fifth sister, Denise Clark Bradford, no longer performs with the group. The Clark Sisters are the daughters of legendary...
, Kierra Sheard
Kierra Sheard
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard is an American gospel recording artist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard and the granddaughter of gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark.-Early life:Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in the suburb of West Bloomfield, Sheard spent her formative years...
, Dottie Peoples
Dottie Peoples
Dottie Peoples is an American gospel singer.Born Dorthy Peoples in Dayton, Ohio, Peoples began singing at an early age. After completing high school, she toured with gospel pioneer Dorothy Norwood, a member of The Caravans...
, Melvin Williams
Melvin Williams
Vice Admiral Melvin G. Williams is Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence. He was selected for Flag rank in 2002.-Personal Biography:...
, Trin-i-tee 5:7
Trin-i-tee 5:7
Trin-I-Tee 5:7 is a gospel duo from New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. The group was marketed as a gospel alternative to R&B girl groups such as Destiny's Child and TLC. Trin-i-tee 5:7 has sold over 2.5 million albums....
and Shirley Caesar
Shirley Caesar
Shirley Ann Caesar is an American Gospel music singer, songwriter and recording artist whose career has spanned six decades...
.
Many secular radio stations devote some of their weekend programming to Christian music; for example, Black Gospel programming is common on Sundays on many stations featuring the Urban Contemporary
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
format.
Christian talk radio, preaching, and radio drama
Other Christian stations will present a no-music format that features talk radioTalk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
-style programming (sometimes including live radio call-in shows) and/or long-form "preaching and teaching" programs. Notable examples include Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
with host Dr. James Dobson
James Dobson
James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist, and founder in 1977 of Focus on the Family , which he led until 2003. In the 1980s he was ranked as one of the most influential spokesman for conservative social positions in American public life...
and Living Way with Pastor Jack Hayford
Jack W. Hayford
Jack Williams Hayford is an American author, Pentecostal minister, and Chancellor of The King's University...
; an example of an inspirational program is Moments of Melody. Radio drama
Radio drama
Radio drama is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance, broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story...
programs, long dead in most other radio formats, continue to live on Christian radio; notable examples include long running Adventures in Odyssey
Adventures in Odyssey
Adventures in Odyssey , or simply Odyssey, is an Evangelical Christian-themed radio drama/comedy series created by Focus on the Family in 1987. The show's daily audience averages around 1.2 million within North America. The Odyssey series also includes several spin-off items, including a home-video...
and Unshackled!
Unshackled!
Unshackled! is a radio drama series produced by Pacific Garden Mission, in Chicago, Illinois, that first aired in 1950. It is the longest-running radio drama in history and one of very few still in production in the United States...
as well as relative newcomers such as Down Gilead Lane
Down Gilead Lane
Down Gilead Lane is a Christian radio drama created by CBH Ministries. The series is set in the town of Coleraine, and centers around the Morrison family. The 12th season marked the end ot the show.- External links :* *...
and A Work in Progress
A Work in Progress
A Work in Progress, 2-DVD box-set, documents the "work in progress" of recording Rush's Test for Echo album, as well as Neil Peart in the studio. Neil's special approach to drums is featured in songs from Test, also a 4 camera shoot as Neil lays down the fiery creative drumming for which he is known...
. Still other Christian stations will feature a combination of music and long-form programs.
Many Christian radio stations have a mission to encourage their listeners in their faith through encouraging music and teaching, and through supporting ministry events within their listening area.
American and International availability
Most Christian radio stations as well as programmers based in the United States are members of the National Religious BroadcastersNational Religious Broadcasters
National Religious Broadcasters is an American organization that represents Christian religious broadcasters on American television and radio, including several high-profile televangelists and Christian radio show hosts. It claims a membership of more than 1700 organizations...
organization; there are reportedly 1,600 different Christian broadcasting organizations in the U.S. They range from single stations to expansive networks. It is a common practice for religious broadcasters to purchase many small broadcast translators to create networks that stretch across large regions. Moody Radio was the first example, and still one of the largest, though most of its stations broadcast stand-alone programming as well as network feeds. The WAY-FM Network
WAY-FM Network
The WAY-FM Network is a national, non-profit radio broadcasting network in the United States that primarily plays Contemporary Christian music operating in 25 states . It is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, while most programming originates in Franklin, Tennessee.-Origins in Fort Myers:WAY-FM...
, K-LOVE
K-LOVE
K-LOVE is a Contemporary Christian music radio programming service in the United States operated by the Educational Media Foundation. As of January 2011, K-LOVE's programming is carried on over 440 FM stations and translators in 45 states. K-LOVE claims an audience of 250,000 people each week via...
, Air 1
Air 1
Air1 is a Christian music radio network in the United States, operated by the non-profit organization EMF Broadcasting. Air 1 is essentially a Top-40 station with Christian Music - so many of the rules that commercial Top-40 stations use for musical rotation apply.-History:In 1986, KLRD began...
, and Bible Broadcasting Network
Bible Broadcasting Network
The Bible Broadcasting Network is a listener-supported global Christian radio network staffed and headquartered in Charlotte, NC. The programming consists of 50% outside ministries, 30% music and 20% BBN produced programs...
are other notable examples.
Christian radio has expanded recently and is also now available in other places such as the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Premier Christian Radio
Premier Christian Radio
Premier Christian Radio is a British Christian radio station wholly owned by the charity Premier Christian Media Trust.Premier Christian Radio broadcasts Christian programming including news, debate, teachings and Christian music to London and the surrounding areas.It operates on three frequencies...
is based in the London area where it is available on medium wave and DAB; elsewhere, it is available digitally or by Internet. United Christian Broadcasters
United Christian Broadcasters
United Christian Broadcasters is an international Christian broadcasting and media group. Through affiliates in twenty five countries, it operates radio and television stations and publishes and broadcasts Bob Gass's free daily devotionals The Word for You Today and word4u2day...
is an international broadcasting and media company; radio stations are based in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and the United Kingdom.
Christian radio programs
- Adventures in OdysseyAdventures in OdysseyAdventures in Odyssey , or simply Odyssey, is an Evangelical Christian-themed radio drama/comedy series created by Focus on the Family in 1987. The show's daily audience averages around 1.2 million within North America. The Odyssey series also includes several spin-off items, including a home-video...
, a scripted radio comedy/drama for children produced by Focus on the Family - Back to the BibleBack to the BibleBack to the Bible is an international Christian ministry based in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, using radio, the internet, television, and other media...
with Woodrow M. KrollWoodrow M. KrollWoodrow Michael Kroll is the president and Bible teacher for the international Back to the Bible radio and television ministry. He is a former president of Davis College in Johnson City, New York, United States... - Focus on the FamilyFocus on the FamilyFocus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
- Praise In The Night, radio call-in talk show hosted by Steve Solomon.
- Thru the Bible with the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee
- Unshackled!Unshackled!Unshackled! is a radio drama series produced by Pacific Garden Mission, in Chicago, Illinois, that first aired in 1950. It is the longest-running radio drama in history and one of very few still in production in the United States...
- Grace to YouJohn F. MacArthurJohn Fullerton MacArthur, Jr. is a United States evangelical writer and minister noted for his internationally known and broadcast radio program titled Grace to You...
- CT-20CT-20The CT-20, which stands for Christian Top Twenty, is a Christian music countdown. Not to be confused with Canada's Top 20 Countdown. The syndicated show is broadcast nationwide in Canada on Christian radio stations like LIFE 100.3 in Barrie, CHRI in Ottawa and in the UK on The Power Station...
, Canada's Top 20 Contemporary Christian Countdown. - MAD Christian Radio ShowMAD Christian Radio ShowThe Making A Difference Christian Radio Show, referred to as the MAD Christian Radio Show, is an internationally syndicated Christian rock radio show, first broadcast as a local program on CHIM-FM in Timmins, Ontario in November 2001....
, an internationally-syndicated Christian rockChristian rockChristian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
program
See also
- ChristianityChristianityChristianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
- Christian mediaChristian mediaChristian media can either refer to Christians who work in secular media, or media that is Christian. Refers to various aspects of mass media which is primarily targeting the Christian demographic...
- Christian pop cultureChristian pop cultureChristian pop culture , is the vernacular Christian culture that prevails in any given society. The content of popular culture is determined by the daily interactions, needs and desires, and cultural 'movements' that make up everyday lives of Christians...
- Religious broadcastingReligious broadcastingReligious broadcasting refers to broadcasting by religious organizations, usually with a religious message. Many religious organizations have long recorded content such as sermons and lectures, and have moved into distributing content on their Internet websites.While this article emphasises...
- information on UK-based Christian TV & Radio, as well as overview of US-based networks. - :Category:Christian radio stations
- List of Christian radio stations in Canada