King of all Peanut Whistles

Talk about a peanut whistle. I worked a year at this particular 2,500 watt gem. We had local news, Southern Gospel music, a Swap Shop and daily obituaries. The news wasn't from a teletype or our own reporters. No, we read it directly from the newspaper. Verbatim. Then a live talk show, Swap Shop, where listeners would call in with junk they wished to sell. It was the radio precursor to Craig’s List. Area funeral homes would provide us with reports and we’d read obituaries in a sponsored 15 minute show.

A few years before the dot com boom one of my fellow staff members commented on the state of our programming and the small town we served. The idea of a good ole country town station was a relic of a bygone era. The world was now more accessible thanks to new technologies. I don't agree with him totally because stations such as this have their own unique charm. My friend Jim did get it right on one point though, we are a more enlightened society thanks to outlets such as CNN and other TV cable networks readily available then. It was 1992 and the worldwide web and Fox News were a few years off. The context of his remarks was framed by people who he had observed overstating their "country" heritage by feigning ignorance, although being just as enlightened as city folks.

I was a bit of a snob then and saw this station a road block in my career.  The WBKI culture was an adjustment and was a step down from a purely business perspective. I later adopted their style and grew to appreciate their way of doing things. A few of the more countrified elements were weeded out and we became more "sophisticated." The home spun morning DJ resigned shortly after some heated debate with me. I viewed him as a local yokel. He was blissfully ignorant but the people loved him. The station fell into decline and eventually folded. My guess is that we didn't give the listeners what they wanted or maybe poor management was to blame. Who knows? Our GM saw the futility of the situation early on and probably mentally quit long before our demise. To borrow from the famous TV show WKRP in Cincinnati this guy was "town to town, up and down the dial". Success eluded David. We had worked together before. I witnessed his slow decline at my previous radio gig and now doubt my own wisdom in hitching to his star. However, I learned a lot from him and consider him a mentor. He allowed circumstances to limit him. I missed the control I had as a program director at my two previous jobs and felt the air chair was a handicap to my professional advancement. For the first time in 6 years I was "just" a dee jay. There’s more to come. Stay tuned.

King of all Peanut Whistles

Talk about a peanut whistle. I worked a year at this particular 2,500 watt gem. We had local news, Southern Gospel music, a Swap Shop and daily obituaries. The news wasn't from a teletype or our own reporters. No, we read it directly from the newspaper. Verbatim. A few years before the dot com boom one of my fellow staff members commented on the state of our programming. The idea of a good ole country station was a relic of a bygone era. The world was now more accessible thanks to new technologies. I don't agree with him totally because stations such as this have their own unique charm. My friend Jim did get it right on one point though, we are a more enlightened society thanks to outlets such as CNN and other TV cable networks readily available then. It was 1992 and the World Wide Web and Fox News were a few years off. The context of his remarks was framed by people who he had observed overstating their "country" heritage by feigning ignorance, although being just as enlightened as city folks.

I was a bit of a snob then and saw this station a road block in my career.  The WBKI culture was an adjustment and was a step down from a purely business perspective. I later adopted their style and grew to appreciate their way of doing things. A few of the more countrified elements were weeded out and we became more "sophisticated." The home spun morning DJ resigned shortly after some heated debate with me. I viewed him as a local yokel. He was blissfully ignorant but the people loved him. The station fell into decline and eventually folded. My guess is that we didn't give the listeners what they wanted or maybe poor management was to blame. Who knows? Our GM saw the futility of the situation early on and probably mentally quit long before our demise. To borrow from the famous TV show WKRP in Cincinnati this guy was "town to town, up and down the dial". Success eluded David. We had worked together before. I witnessed his slow decline at my previous radio gig and now doubt my own wisdom in hitching to his star. However, I learned a lot from him and consider him a mentor. He allowed circumstances to limit him. I missed the control I had as a program director at my two previous jobs and felt the air chair was a handicap. For the first time in 6 years I was "just" a dee jay.

Stay tuned!

J900 CHR Christian Aircheck

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The Spec Check

 Welcome to Gospel Aircheck! I’ve probably logged more hours in the production room than all my on air studio time and live remote appearances combined. I love the intricacy of audio production and have learned far more in perfecting a 30 second spot by tweaking all the elements that go into these sound vignettes than these other experiences. I was building a music bed and sound effects under a perfectly timed vocal track(s) into the wee hours of the morning following sometimes during my air shift. Most of these projects were aired but a few became what is known as spec spots. Spec is shorthand for speculative, a what if demonstration of what I could do, normally pitched to new clients. Most Radio and TV insiders are familiar with the term.

 Yet, I’ve created another concept that combines spec and aircheck known as the Spec Check. Having the station all to myself in the early days during some marathon session of brokered shows I decided to run some format scenarios. The most famous of these was combining then current Contemporary Christian with the popular CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio) secular format. It was a stretch for my voice talent though I had never heard this hyped sound unified with CCM. My real  J-900 shows from Savannah, GA, came close.

 Unfortunately, Christian music on the radio has had the most bland DJ’s on the planet. I wanted to change all this by making an audio presentation never intended to air kept in my personal archive. I am in the process of scoping (editing down to vocal breaks) these fake shows and will present these an episode of the podcast.

Stay tuned.

Download Spec Check Scoped Digital Dub.mp3 from FileFactory.com

Right Vs. Left

This blog is not political.  I'm not refering to liberal vs. conservative. It is said the the human brain has two hemispheres. The left reported to control the logical, analytical, pratical side of the psyche and the right the creative, artistic mind. Some individuals are more left brained while others are mostly right brained. Scientists say that the left controls the right side of the body while the right does the opposite. That explains, in part, why most left-handed people I've known, including me, are artistic. Of course a few righties break the mold. 

In the world of radio the left vs. right brain people are represented in an epic battle of control of the station. The left brained, practical are usually account exectutives (sales people) and management while the right brained are the DJ's, producers and creative talent. We creative types are somewhat resentful of the sales staff. If sales had their way content would be all commercials. More than a few salespeople have commented to me that music is "just filler between commercials." Yes, I know ads pay our salaries, but come on isn't it all about theatre of the mind, word pictures? Music, man, is the thing. Obviously, we've made creative inroads into commercials but we true DJ's love expressing our musical knowledge to listners without interuption of flow. The true talents in my mind are a meld of the two. The great talents have always been the ones who are equally comfortable in the studio and the field. They are salesmen with talent. I've know only a handfull of these hybrids and would populate a dream station with these all stars. Truth is we all need to be salespeople, otherwise, what are we doing in media?

Welcome to the newly renamed Radio Rewind. Even though I've spent a majority of my career in stations that were programmed for a Christian audience I still believe that radio is radio. I'm going to share my airchecks and speculative demos and ideas in this forum and invite you to subscribe. This is not a religious or political weblog just a chronical of my life experiences in and around the audio world I love.

A Rose by any Other Name

(My random musings on relevancy of GR)

Gospel Rewind has become a bit of a misnomer. In a way it limits what this weblog is all about. At one time the name captured what I wanted to write. Now, in order to expand my subject matter I’ve considered a new blog entirely.

What is ‘Rewind all about? Well, mainly it captures my experiences in radio and music both as a participant and observer. The problem a lot of people see the term “Gospel” differently. Gospel to the mainstream media connotes the work of African American singing talents only, while ignoring the other traditions of the genre. With the exception of the Happy Goodman family in the 60’s and 70’s and some Nashville Network (on cable in the 80’s and 90’s) I can not recall any major television network coverage of Southern Gospel.  The New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles based news media are just unaware.

Playing the Southern format on radio has been for me an uphill battle. This form of music I learned to like as part of my job will probably never have the exposure of some better promoted artists. The one time I delved into a secular format in 1991 I was a fish out of water. I flopped and shortly left the station feeling that I betrayed the Gospel community.

The eclectic collection of music I listen to in my home and car would never work as a radio format. Most Disk Jockeys I’ve known have broad tastes just as I do and will tell you that they don’t necessarily groove to the same tunes you hear them air. It’s the same as a guy who works in a pizza place does not always dine on pizza. The problem with my career path is that I dined on too much of the same things and limited my options in radio. A lot of good Christian folks find the following notion taboo. My insistence on remaining in Christian radio limited me. When I left the business the first time 14 years ago I transitioned into retail. I didn’t sell “Christian” auto parts. I sold to people, without considering their religious leanings. Why then would I feel so guilty playing secular music? Retailing so long has given me a perspective on my former career that I never knew. Branding. Marketing. I can be a Disk Jockey and programmer who chooses to be a Christian working in a secular world. Re-branding this blog is a possibility due to the narrow focus of the name. By the way, when I was on traditional AM radio I never used it for personal music listening, only as a source for news and talk. My mix cassettes and later CD’s kept me entertained. Even then I saw myself as a hypocrite. How could I sell a product in which I did not believe? By the mid 80’s AM radio was mostly abandoned by music providers and was never the choice of audiophiles such as myself. With the exit to FM of most all Top 40 outfits all that was left on AM was religious and talk stations. Understand I love Christian music, just not amid the static and limited audio quality of AM. Plus brokered preaching shows are not my cup of tea. As a matter of fact most radio music lovers would be appalled to know the very common radio expression, “Music is just filler between commercials.” A lot of radio account executives don’t even like music! That indifference may be the cause of the recent (apparent) demise of my beloved radio.

A few have migrated to the Internet for music. I don’t think it spells the end of terrestrial broadcasting as I once thought due to the overwhelming choices and the ‘nets inability to reach the masses as AM & FM so easily does. Use the Internet as a complimentary technology when you want a VERY specific format, such as I attempted with the Classic Gospel on the GRIN.

I’ve rambled on too much in getting to the point that this blog will continue to present readers with my unfiltered views unlimited by the name. I’ll keep Gospel Rewind for now. I do promise transparency and honesty that I was never afforded before when sponsors controlled my world. More than anything, ‘Rewind is all about my coming to terms with maturity through reflecting on the past and how it affects the present and future. Many of the restrictions I learned in my developing years, often self-taught, are completely bogus and serve as an example of what not to do in rearing my own kids, for instance. If no one reads this blog but me it will have served a noble purpose indeed. My search for wisdom that transcends the temporal continues…

What's a peanut whistle?

I'm glad you asked. A peanut whistle is a radio station with limited power or listenership or both. It might have the best staff or talent but simply lacks enough umph to reach a broader audience. These media outlets are usually located out in the sticks. These are the places I've hung my hat as a DJ and programmer most often. I've led some very talented people. Some great and near great talents. 

These places are usually programmed for a rural audience. So, I'm not sure if they exist at all any more due to the consolidation of ownership permitted by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The FCC decided to allow ownership of several radio or TV stations in one market. Large corporations have gulped up these peanut whistles at an alarming rate. It wasn't video that killed the radio star, it was corporate greed. More to come. Stay tuned...

Quarter Century in Radio Audio

Southern Gospel Fast Forward

One thing I noticed when I was running the Gospel Rewind Internet radio experiment is how little the Southern Gospel Genre has changed since I began broadcasting in 1983. Imagine taking any new Southern Gospel song recorded in 2009 back with me to the original Gospel 90 in the mid 1980’s in a time machine. I could air the song without any listener noticing a difference! With the exception of some modern production values the styles have not evolved. I can’t apply that statement to any other music form. CCM sounds different. Black Gospel (Urban CCM) has changed. Mainstream Country and Rock are vastly different. Why is Southern Gospel stuck in the past constantly feeding on its heritage and not at all innovative. There have been a few artists over the years that have tried to lead the way to a more progressive sound; Rusty Goodman, Kenny Hinson, the Downings, the Lanny Wolfe Trio, and the Gaither Vocal Band have injected a more contemporary sound into the medium but many of these performers peaked years ago. What about today?

I am calling for a new direction in SG, let’s dub it progressive Southern. Actually, in 1988 I pondered a radio format that combined Christian Country (as it was known then) with southern leaning Contemporary Christian, unfortunately there simply was not enough product to support the new hybrid. Without some sort of change, I’m afraid Southern Gospel will become extinct as the target demographic ages. I will continue listening to classic Gospel from the 70’s and 80’s because I prefer it to the current imitators. I naively thought I could build an Internet radio station around such classic Gospel but made the mistake of diluting the format with new music that merely copied the style of the originals. That is not to say that there aren’t exceptions. My gosh, there are marvelous new artists that break the mold and I was very proud to present their music as an example of a new generation! My point, we need more of you. Don’t imitate, innovate. Grow.

By the way, our Internet radio station, the GRIN, off line now is still incubating in the idea machine. We envision a full service radio station built around the ideas presented in this weblog. It will be a hybrid unlimited by style. All sorts of Gospel music for the eclectic tastes of person such as myself. I invite you to browse previous posts so you can get an idea of what I am all about. Enjoy. May the Good News of the Gospel go with you.

1993 WBKI tour with bonus photos and new narration

For all you technical types here is a new edit of the WBKI-AM tour. Just a brief note about the station. It was the most unusual facility I have ever worked in. For starters, the small building (I estimate less than 1,800 square feet) housed offices, control room, production room, and transmitter  located on a fairly good sized plot of land. Behind the building was the tower surrounded by, no kidding, pasture with at least one cow. In front, only about 40 or 50 feet away were train tracks. Many a train have ruined a few commercial takes there. WBKI typified the term peanut whistle. Most proper stations I worked for had studio/office facilities with transmitter & tower site located miles away. WBKI was definately the only one so close to noisy rail. When working there I was somewhat concerned with so much concentrated RF (radio frequency) passing through me 6 hours a day. I wonder if the airwaves ever fried that cow.

End of the GRIN

I owe you all a debt of gratitude for trying out our Internet Radio station called the “GRIN”. I have enjoyed presenting great Gospel Classics over these last two months. From the very beginning it was a grand experiment in what I could do for as little expense as possible with a new kind of radio.

I’ve got from it a new perspective on what it takes to run a 24 hour business as the one and only employee. Unless you count my alter ego, Jim O’Neal. I have a similar feeling as I did back in ‘93 when I left WBKI. (see below) However, this time I leave much more fulfilled. I am elated to see what God has in store for me as a blogger and podcaster as I continue onward and upward for Him.

The GRIN is a wonderful idea that will live again in another form. It just can not continue it in its present configuration. You see, the service that hosted the station was free in exchange for ads they placed on the radio page (which were OK for the most part.) The issue I had with them is that it was prone to crashing very often. Sometimes the problem would be on this end was an old computer with limited RAM using free (cheap) software and other times the fault would lie with the service. The software I was stuck with was designed for amateur broadcasters with limited experience in media. The GRIN had absolute zero budget to make improvements in a more professional direction so daily operations were a challenge. Not being independently wealthy I have to bring the GRIN to an end, for now. I will continue with the Gospel Rewind Podcast playable here on the blog. Until next time, may the Good News of the Gospel go with you.

WBKI Studio Tour

Let's go back to 1993 and my final day at WBKI AM in Bremen, Georgia.

The GRIN Vision

Hello my friends. Today I’d like to request a few moments of your time to express my intentions for the Gospel Rewind Internet Network radio station. First it is to become a fully functioning radio station that you will be able to hear via the World Wide Web from you computer from your cell phone and in your car via WiFi technologies now in development. Music programming hosted by actual human beings who select their songs and share knowledge of the vast Classic Gospel catalog of songs rich in heritage much like the disk jockeys of old. Modern consolidated radio has pretty much killed the uniqueness of the individual experience. I wish to add news and talk to the station that interests our Rewinders.

Second, GRIN lacks the necessary equipment to get such programming to market. I’m itching to become a full fledged DJ again but am challenged by the stunning non-existence of adequate gear vital to a professional presentation. Right now when I do a live show I’m forced to assemble pre-recorded elements with live voice over. This is extremely time consuming. One hour of a show usually takes two hours or more to produce by these methods.

Third, I am very excited to go out to various churches to record great singing for the GRIN. These presentations will be featured soon. I can’t announce it now, but I believe we’ll be reuniting a Gospel singing group famous in the Southeast with a live show exclusive on the Gospel Rewind.

Forth, I want the GRIN to be unique. You won’t hear radio as usual on my Internet radio that’s for sure. Gospel Classics unheard for a generation. Live shows. Who knows what else.

Pray for us. I believe we have seen only a small portion of what is in store. Who knows, maybe the Lord will lay it on someone’s heart to finance this Gospel ministry before long so I can realize its potential. Thanks for listening. May the Good News of the Gospel go with you.

The Digital Revolution

I have got to admit, back in the dark ages, when I first started in radio, today’s digital technology was not even a dream. Yes, I was into the latest electronics, but I never envisioned how far technology would progress.

At the time I was impressed by the ability of an AM radio signal to reach across several states. How a single needle could provide two distinct channels of audio on a record player. How a ribbon of rust could reproduce sound through a tape recorder. All these mysteries I came to understand and master, somewhat.

Now it is possible to store hundreds, if not thousands of songs on a postage stamp sized device with audio quality almost as good as a Compact Disc. I do not believe even the top scientists of my day knew this was possible. The iPod and other generic MP3 players are a marvel that science fiction never predicted. I never saw Judy Jetson use an iPod Shuffle or a cell phone for that matter. Predicting the future has always been tricky. It makes me wonder what will my grand children see?

The downside to all this MP3 mess is that some audio quality is lost. The old technology may have been cumbersome but it sounded better with the right equipment properly adjusted. I also miss the larger format(s) ability to provide a physical product I could hold in my hands and view its liner notes and album art. Many kids today have no idea what it is like to shop in a real record store; they just have downloaded music files on their hard drives. I see the enlightened of my generation have the best of both worlds, our superior music with today’s convenience technology to go along with it.

The focus of our new Internet only Gospel Rewind radio station is to provide listeners of all generations exposure to some great Gospel music classics with today’s technology that delivers good digital audio quality to the masses that AM or FM will never reach.

Future of the GRIN

Is there much future in the past? I feel that I’ve done a poor job in explaining what exactly the GRIN is. My original intention for the Internet only Classic Gospel radio station was to play the older gospel songs that I grew up listening to that is concentrated in a time period in Gospel from about the 1960’s through the early 1990’s. Hence the “Rewind” in our name. This is  core of the popular Gospel catalog that is hardly ever heard on radio but is foundational for all popular styles of Gospel today. In fact, without Gospel mainstream Pop, Rock and Blues would not exist at all. That is another story.

 

GRIN is upbeat in our live shows we present and the music supports our bright tone. We are all about the Classics in a modern setting. A new perspective on some great music for sure. I feel we need to tighten our playlists to reflect our mission. We’re not just Southern Gospel. We play the classics from all forms of Gospel as long as the tunes are classics. I might play André Crouch followed by the Kingsmen then into the Imperials. But, it all flows. These songs are inspired by God and mix well because the message is the same. Do I play the Rez Band or Petra? Not the harder stuff but if a song by either of these groups is suitable for the GRIN then yep, it gets “airtime”. Think of viewing the Dove Awards in the 1980’s. All styles were represented as this kind of show was very appealing to my wide taste. That’s the GRIN. Not many new tunes are played for obvious reasons. We do make exceptions and have featured new music occasionally. We continue to improve the GRIN and will expand as the Lord leads. Please keep us in your prayers. Tune us in at http://gospelrewind.listen2myradio.com

We’ll see you and until then may the Good News of the Gospel go with you.

The GRIN

It's like I never left Gospel radio. I am so thrilled. If you follow the Eagles of Classic rock fame you'll know the line from the Hell freezes over album, to paraphrase, "We never broke up, we just took a 20 year break." Well, I can identify now. I never left radio, I just took a 14 year break. The GRIN puts me back in the air chair. I never lost my desire to minister through presenting the inspirational recordings of others. The only difference now is that I have matured to a point that I would have envied as a younger man lacking any real world life experience. I've been married, twice. Seen prosperity and lack, but never have I been out of His care. Praise God. My relationship with Christ is richer now and I do not shy away from referring to Him on the air as I once did. 

If you ever met me personally and did not know of my radio passion you'd think I was very shy. But, when I get behind the microphone I loose my inhibitions; somehow I'm bold betraying the timid Neal.

Angie, the love of my life, my best friend and wife of 8 years is a great support. Her entusiaism for my dream has been above and beyond the call of duty. She understands that this radio venture will take a little time to blossom into what I've envisioned. Thank you so much, my love.

If you haven't heard the station, why? It's on the Internet 24 hours a day with some live shows featuring yours truely. the address is http://gospelrewind.listen2myradio.com  Tune in. Untill the next time may the Good News of the Gospel go with you.

My New Radio Home

It has been 18 years since I left WDCY radio in Douglasville, Georgia. It was the last radio home that was a full time situation for me. As I wrote before, this is remembered not very fondly due to internal staff conflicts. The Gospel was only a product sold by  that mostly non-Christian staff; a group of folks that would have switched formats sooner than they did had the the listener support been there. The whole experience soured me on radio in general. Two years after I left,  1993, WDCY was sold to a local Baptist Church and for now is in Christian hands, I made an unsuccessful attempt to rejoin 'DCY after the sale, but was told their staff were now all volunteers. I wound up at two other stations in the area, but it was never the same and by 1995 I left radio for good.

Or so I thought. It's 2009 and I am truly excited about radio again. I have started a new Internet radio station http://gospelrewind.listen2myradio.com 

We are 24 hours of Gospel Classics from the late 1950's to the early 1980's and beyond. We aren't restricted to one form of Gospel over another. I assure you the music will be complimentary though. I personally select the programming and will drop in occasionally to speak on the wonderful world of GR. Right now, I'm the only DJ on this commercial free station. The only ads you'll hear for now are the old ones on the occasional featured aircheck from my archives. We're recording live singing in churches and will be playing them soon. They will reflect the oldies singing styles. Till then, may the good news of the Gospel go with you.

Radio "Daze"

Have you scanned your radio dial recently? Yeah, well I thought not. Radio is becoming a thing of the past. Our kids today have many more choices than we did. Ipods, digital downloads, Internet and God knows what else. I love the radio medium and at one time saw it as a powerful witness for the Gospel. In a way it is still viable, but how can it compete. 

That's why I've pretty much dismissed terrestrial broadcasting altogether. I think Internet broadcasting may be the way to get the Good News to the people. On the horizon in say, the next year and a half, is WiFi Internet radio. You'll be able to get 10,000 plus stations absolutely free! Satellite radio didn't catch on because it was subscription fee based and conventional broadcasters were not threatened. Now the same folks are shaking in their boots because all of a sudden the air is going to be much more crowded. Much as the transistor radio boosted listenership in the 1960's this new technology will bring net radio to the masses.

That's where I come in. Over the last couple of days I've been talking to various companies that provide the servers for live streaming audio. It's not all that expensive to get started when compared to regular radio. I am excited to report that the new Gospel 90 is slowly becoming a reality! Right now I need people; investors, talent, sales people, you name it. I will format the station to the unchurched, the believers and the seekers. We will feature all kinds of Gospel music. I'm preparing some audio examples that will post soon. May the Good News of the Gospel go with you.

Generation to generation

Wow! times have surely changed. As I'm writing this blog I'm also making new mp3's for my website, transferring analog recordings to digital, editing them in a computer and posting them to the Internet. What an age we live in! Back in the dark ages when I learned audio editing you actually cut and pasted physically with razor blade and sticky tape. That was not so long ago. The progression of technology is astounding.

Don't get me wrong I've always been an early adopter of the new technical stuff.

One of the best things available today is reissues of old Gospel recordings on CD and iTunes, like the recording I found in the photo on the left at www.imperialsmusic.com . It is the Imperials first album. Now I've got a CD of an LP that has been in my family collection since it was new although it was in mono and scratchy, I cherished this jewel since I was a teen. Now through modern digital magic I can hear a pristine stereo copy of the album that can be passed on to my kids. The Imperials are my all time favorite group from their inception to all the line up changes to the mid 90's. I almost cried when I heard this new copy. I had never heard it without all the scratches, something kids today don't have to deal with unless that classic LP sound has been added back as an effect (how wierd). I went from LP's straight to CD's in the 80's and never looked back. On with technology.

Stay tuned

Generation to generation

Wow! times have surely changed. As I'm writing this blog I'm also making new mp3's for my website, transferring analog recordings to digital, editing them in a computer and posting them to the Internet. What an age we live in! Back in the dark ages when I learned audio editing you actually cut and pasted physically with razor blade and sticky tape. That was not so long ago. The progression of technology is astounding.

Don't get me wrong I've always been an early adopter of the new technical stuff.

One of the best things available today is reissues of old Gospel recordings on CD and iTunes, like the recording I found in the photo on the left at www.imperialsmusic.com . It is the Imperials first album. Now I've got a CD of an LP that has been in my family collection since it was new although it was in mono and scratchy, I cherished this jewel since I was a teen. Now through modern digital magic I can hear a pristine stereo copy of the album that can be passed on to my kids. The Imperials are my all time favorite group from their inception to all the line up changes to the mid 90's. I almost cried when I heard this new copy. I had never heard it without all the scratches, something kids today don't have to deal with unless that classic LP sound has been added back as an effect (how wierd). I went from LP's straight to CD's in the 80's and never looked back. On with technology.

Audio Postings

Some examples of my work in Gospel radio are now available . I have upgraded the audio feed directly to this blog. I'm adding new stuff daily, podcasts and all . Look over in the right hand corner. Click play. If you're interested in the technical side of radio or would like to hear some more airchecks go to my podcast site

WBKI

Skip ahead to 1992. It was my 10^th year in Gospel radio. I had become a somewhat seasoned veteran of the game. My most recent gig in radio had been a disaster for me personally and professionally and tiny WBKI in Bremen, Georgia would be a fresh start. My previous radio home had been WDCY in Douglasville, Georgia. I was their program director and morning drive host for 10 excruciating months in 1990 and 1991. The Douglasville outfit had been full time Southern Gospel until their ill fated flirtation with Country music in February, 1991. WDCY had been purchased in 1990 by a non-Christian broadcaster who had no familiarity with the music tattooed to my spirit. He and I were like oil and water. Instead of trying to win this owner over to the Lord, I reacted in ways unbecoming a Christian. God delivered me from that situation along with two Christian brothers that worked with me in Douglasville at the same time.

These same two men were now involved with WBKI. One was the new general manager, the other a weekend DJ. As far as I know the entire staff there were Christians. What a difference in this situation!
Jesus was now front and center and not just a side line.

I did not hold an office. I was purely a DJ playing some music I loved and had a blast with some of the finest listeners ever. I stayed there only a year and made the hard choice of leaving following an ownership change in 1993. My buddy, the general manager, had decided not to buy the station and left during the transition. A fine Christian family bought WBKI and owns it now. It is now known as WGMI.

So what am I saying? Christian broadcasters should themselves be Christians. There is nothing worse professionally that to sell a product that the salesman does not believe in. Scan the dial to any Gospel format station and I assure you will be able to spot the genuine from the fake.

Random musing

I’ve often thought I was born too late.  My tastes have mostly skewed to an earlier generation.  I loved the music of the 50’s and 60’s and 70’s even though I came of age in the 80’s. My parental influence can not be understated. I am grateful for the heritage they bestowed. Both Dad and Mom were blind. Music played a major role in their lives.

Mama’s natural talent was supplemented by a formal music education. Her critical ear is in my DNA through and through. I inherited her ability to hear everything at once. She can be on the phone, watching TV, conversing with those in the room with her, all at once with equal comprehension. 

Daddy grew up a preacher’s kid. His family were all song birds. They sang in church together as he developed a rich tenor.  He served the Lord all 51 years of is too short life as a singer and preacher of the Good News.

I never rebelled from them, much. They were cool. I did, however, develop my own tastes separate from my parents. I loved Contemporary Christian Music. It was tolerated in my home as a welcome substitute for the rock music I secretly listened to. Many Christian parents must have rationalized this for the youngsters that listened to my J-900 radio shows back in ‘86. As a parent now, I tolerate the music my teenager listens to. I'm thankful it's mostly Christian.

Church music of my kids' generation is praise and chorus oriented. I feel that it is weak as dish water and sounds like a few words strung together to a stock tune when compaired to the classics. I don’t mean let’s all sing hymns only. Just, where is this generation’s next Bill Gaither or Dottie Rambo or Andrae Crouch? I'm ready for some new classics!

Old fogey? Probably. Maybe I’ve matured. Nah!

That reminds this old man: What music will be played in Heaven? Will we all learn Latin and sing dirges eternally? I don't think so. Heaven's going to be a celebration!

"When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be..."

No doubt, "Because He Lives", "Amazing Grace" and others from the hymn book. But what about the Imperial's "Praise the Lord" or Dallas Holm's "Rise Again"? I have had this string of thought for over 25 years. There are thousands of classics to choose from, not to mention other cultures and languages. All I know is that it will be better than we can even imagine! So a word to our up and coming composers: write prayerfully, spirit led, and as though your song will be sung by angels.

My little inspiration, my baby daughter is pictured above. My mother is teaching her first piano lesson.

My First Radio Station

Gosh. My first station; what an odd, yet unique format. It was a Gospel station with at least three dayparted formats. That meant we played a different style of music or programming depending on the time of day you were listening. Southern Gospel in the morning then time brokered religious programs mid-day, followed by traditional and urban contemporary Black Gospel. By 1986 I began my afternoon drive show with 30 minutes of Southern Gospel; the the rest of my broadcast was Contemporary Christian till 9pm. The listeners were confused, but what an education I gleaned from Gospel 90 WEAS AM (later WWJD) in Savannah, Georgia. I got from it a deeper appreciation for all forms of music as well as a lexicon of Gospel trivia. 

The station was originally licenced to Savannah on 900kc in 1950 despite legal objections from the local broadcast community. See http://www.lawskills.com/case/ga/id/18820/Then it was known as WJIV. They played what was termed at the time "race records". Modeled after the highly successful WDIA in Memphis, Tennessee, WJIV served the African American community exclusively for about a dozen years. Forward to about 1963; WJIV station owner, E.D. "Dee" Rivers, Jr, moved the call letters "WEAS" from his Atlanta station on 1010 AM, today known as WGUN, to the Savannah station. I discovered that Rivers also made an unsuccessful bid for a TV station called WJIV-TV. Coinciding with the call sign change was a shift to a "Hillbilly" format, what we know now as Country. What a contrast! But it seems these listeners were under served and Rivers filled the need. I guess the sounds of Patsy Cline and Hank Williams were interspersed with preachers and the occasional Gospel tune. A few years later in '68 the 100,000 watt WEAS-FM was born. It began as an automated "Beautiful Music" or "Easy Listening" format. The FM later programmed  "Progressive Rock" till the mid 70's. That's when I believe the "E-93" brand became reality. They were now serving the black community full time, the format that's a ratings winner for them until this day. I understand that the AM and FM were simulcasting in the morning in those days. The AM split away from the FM mid-day with preachers and Southern Gospel music 'til sun down.

By the time I joined WEAS-AM in 1983 it was mostly Southern Gospel. During the next 3 years the format evolved into the hybrid I described. Each disk jockey picked his own music. I could usually tune in at home and know which DJ was on by the music he or she played! It sounds as though it would be chaotic, but it worked, mostly.

Late 1983 enter a new manager from Arkansas one Charles Lewallen. He was a minister and believed in strict format. He objected to diluting our music selections with other variations of the Gospel form. One time he told me not to play a certain New Gaither Vocal Band selection because it sounded too "rock". That seems so ridiculous now. Gaither? Rock? I was 17 in October of 1983 when Charles changed our call letters to WWJD. The new call sign didn't easily roll off my tongue and was ten plus years before the unrelated WWJD bracelets. The acronym did NOT represent "What Would Jesus Do". Our name stood for, "Walking With Jesus Daily". A possible motive for the switch was a disassociation with our sister, WEAS-FM. Being a green teenager I complied with whatever management said. I had very little to do with the business end of radio. 

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on January 30, 1985, that Mr. Lewallen had fired a female black announcer, Lucy Frazier, in summer '83. The report said she was suing the station for damages in US District court in Atlanta. I don't know how the case was settled but it explains a lot! Charles abruptly disappeared early 1984 or slightly before. The paper quoted him as saying, it was, "inappropriate for a black woman to play white gospel records ."

At the time we had a staff meeting admonishing us to remain quiet on the situation. I firmly believe that skin color should never enter the equation. Obviously, this manager had an eye on brand issues and image of the station. I'm not qualified to psychoanalyze his motive. His side is not very well represented in the article. I think this incident prompted the addition of black Gospel music to our line up. Lester "Leck" White was eventually added mid-days to provide some soul.

During this whole time the glue that held our little 5,ooo watt station together was Gloria (I omit last name to protect her privacy.) She had interviewed and hired me in the spring of 1983 and served as manager for my entire 3 1/2 year tenure and beyond. She had been pushed to the side briefly when Lewallen took over. I overheard a conversation between she and another DJ. She had felt slighted by the apparent demotion and threatened to quit. Long story short, she outlasted the new "manager" many years.

I would describe Gloria's management style as hands off. Our DJ's pretty much had free reign. Not that we were allowed to play Led Zepplin records or anything, I just mean we played almost any Gospel we wanted. She had a few exceptions though.  A lot of upbeat Contemporary Christian numbers were forbidden, such as the Imperials' "Water Grave", from the "Sail On" album. A great many of the "Do not play" list were deliberately scratched through on the record album and rendered unplayable; a primitive, but effective insurance of compliance.

This all blew up in September of 1986. We were going to switch to Contemporary Christian! As a 20 year old who loved mainstream top 40 this was super news. The station had now been granted approval for 24 hour operation. For the 36 years prior to this occasion we were a "Daytimer", signing on at sunrise and signing off at sunset. As a concession to more powerful clear channel AM stations, our transmitter power was greatly reduced at night. I was made music director and coined "J-900" as a brand for our new sound.

The novelty wore off. I was disappointed to find out that the "format" would only apply to certain dayparts. CCM would be heard only after 3:30 pm. I blame sponsor control for the station's weak commitment to the music. The local preaching shows must have dictated our sound. Bummer! Our aim was to reach the youth demographic with the hotter sound. It was reasoned that most kids listened after class. Most callers to the station during that time were typically Christian private school students whose parents did not allow them to listen to secular music. We had a small captive audience.

We ventured into late night to the likes of Michael W. Smith's "Rocket Town" and maintained the genre until I left the station for the Atlanta market in late November of '86.