Just out of curiosity, I recently joined the music advisory panel for one of the largest Christian adult contemporary (AC) radio networks in the US. When I received my first survey, this is what I found. I opened the first page of songs to evaluate. Every single one of the songs were from major label artists. That’s right, not one of those songs to be evaluated were from an independent Christian music artist or band. Well, I went down through the first page of the survey and evaluated each song. Out of the nineteen songs, I only gave two of them a 4 or 5 out of 5. I rated the rest with only a 2 or a 3. I’m sorry, but the rest all sounded alike to me … almost as if they were cookie-cutter songs.
I clicked on page two of the survey. Maybe they will have some independent songs on this page! Nope. This page contained eleven more songs. However, they were major label songs that were brought back from 10 to 20 years ago. Hmmmmmm. But, here is the interesting thing. I rated them much higher than those in the first page. Each song was more unique and in my opinion, better quality. It reminded me of the reason I listened to Christian AC radio then and don’t so much any more.
All of this got me to thinking. Are major Christian radio stations running of out music? If so, why don’t they start considering more independent music rather than bringing back some of the old music? Are the major labels putting pressure on these stations? If anyone out there has any insight into this then by all means, leave a comment!
Anyway … let’s move on. I contacted two friends who work in the radio world as song promoters. One works primarily with independent Christian music artists and the other primarily with major Christian music artists. I asked both the same question: In all of your experience and time working in Christian radio land, has there ever been an independent artist or band that has had a song played on the AC radio network that I had mentioned before? I received my first response from the promoter that works primarily with independent artists. His response was a one-word response … “None.” That’s interesting.
The promoter that works primarily with major label artists has been involved in the industry for several years longer than the other. I expected him to list several, but he could only think of three independent artists that were played by this radio network over the years. Again, that’s very interesting.
So, this all brings me back to my original questions. Are major Christian radio stations running of out music? If so, why don’t they start considering more independent music? I am really looking forward to your comments.
Blessings,
Jeff
I have entered several contests and not got anywhere. I have published 14 or more songs through my publishing company and listed them with BMI. I would like to get the songs to people who would sing them. Myself and my family have recorded several and I have several that were recorded by my mother before she passed away. Any suggestions on how I can get the songs out there?
Hi Jeff,
I read your commentary above. Very interesting. I am a song writer interested in getting my Christian songs pitched to get recorded or get them on radio. I hope you will be listening to my song He Healed Me, that musicsubmit.com just said they just sent you hear. I have another work, Baby Jesus, that I gave musicsubmit but they may or may not
send to you. Would it be possible to attach the mp2 of that song to you? You can also go to my website listed below, and click on Baby Jesus with vocals to hear it.
I think I have a give message with a great tune to offer believers and want to share that.
So two people, me, and my singer Mike Messer, both born Jewish, set out to inspire the Christian world. I believe the songs are there but sadly, don’t know really how to get them promoted properly. Hoping you can help.
Thanks, Cheryl Edelman
cheryledelman@yahoo.com
phone me at 914-762-9325
Agree! I listen to a Christian radio station in my shop every day I here many songs two to 3 times in 8hrs. I know I have enough songs on my own computer to last days before looping. It’s kind of depressing…
Personally, I don’t care for Christian music. There’s something about it that doesn’t call to me. Maybe it’s that some Christian “artists” seem rather phony. Just my opinion, of course, and many would say I am way off base. I write bluegrass gospel music. I have found that people of this genre are much more approachable than Christian artists who seem to align themselves with big money music. Bluegrass performers are really down to earth. They want to record beautiful songs and they are always happy to listen to yours….hoping that yours is the one they have been waiting for. My suggestion….if you want to try something different, without too much effort you could do some re-writing and convert your Christian song into a bluegrass gospel or even a southern gospel number. And then you could pitch to multiple genre…. different radio stations than the ones who are so non-receptive to the Independent. Again, it’s just my opinion and I’m eighty years old so, as the saying goes, consider the source!