It is a joy to be able to listen to Southern Gospel at any time of the day or night. I’m not sure what you’re hearing from other subscribers, but I for one am thrilled. — Matt
I am writing because enLighten34 is one of my favorite stations on XM. I listen to it every day, usually all day long. I love the music that you play … it is a real blessing. — Jolinda, Saint Joseph, Missouri
I am only 20, but I was raised on Southern Gospel music and I love enLighten. I had been hoping to find a Southern Gospel station like (Channel 34) … and I found it. Thanks for all the hard work and have a blessed and safe Christmas. — Josh, Georgia
What you are reading here are just a few of the many messages that arrived in the enLighten34 E-mail box during the month of December. Some of them have come from outside the United States … which is the reason you occasionally hear the enLighten34 folks say “North America” rather than simply “America” . . .
I love enLighten!! I live way up here in Bentley, Alberta, Canada. I thank God that your radio station is available!! The only Southern Gospel radio station available up here in Alberta, just changed to talk and praise and worship! I purchased a home kit yesterday, so now I will be able to hear you in my car, work and now home!! — Denise
Just wanted to tell you how much we enjoy enLighten, especially the Gospel Greats and Daniel Britt & Friends. We used to have a single AM station in Alberta Canada that played Southern Gospel music about 50% of the time. Recently, that station dropped Southern Gospel music completely. In the past this would have been devastating to our family who loves Southern Gospel music, but not now that we have enLighten. Have a Merry Christmas and a God-blessed New Year. — Daryl, Alberta, Canada
My XM radio keeps me company as I travel along, up here in Manitoba, Canada. Enjoy enLighten34 very much and am thankful that I can listen to Southern Gospel music 24 hours a day! Really enjoy the special events and programs. — Conrad
And … this is why your help is asked for and needed in making sure that everyone who loves Southern Gospel knows about XM Radio and enLighten34 . . .
We just got a new car and in it was XM Radio. I had never even heard of XM Radio before. I absolutely love it, but the only station I listen to is yours (enLighten). I`ve already gotten songs off of the station and bought accompaniment tracks and sung them in church. — Judy, Wisconsin
We are NEW listeners to enLighten! WE LOVE IT! Having been an evangelist for over 25 years and having seen the DRAMATIC change in “church” music, your style of music is a REFRESHING OASIS for us! We have already told many of our friends about enLighten34! God bless your ministry! — Ronn, Waynesville, Ohio
I love enLighten34. We have no Southern Gospel on radio here in Wisconsin. I read that XM and Sirius might merge. I hope and pray enLighten34 stays on XM. I have XM on my computer (XM OnLine), have XM receivers in the house and in both of my vehicles. I listen to it going to and from work because it blesses me so much. — John, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
In response to John’s concern regarding the proposed merger of XM Radio with its competitor, Sirius . . . the merger plan is still awaiting approval by both the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission of the U. S. Government. While it was thought that both entities would give the plan their go-ahead by the end of 2007, that obviously has not happened. So, now everyone is looking toward sometime in the next 90 days.
The real question being asked by John and others is … if the merger goes through, will it have a negative impact on enLighten34. While we are in no position to say anything with 100% certainty, here is how things look: The merger proposal calls for continued diversity in programming, and that long-range … only channels on which the programming is duplicated on the two systems will be dropped. And, this is only to happen when new radios capable of receiving both XM and Sirius channels are dominant in the marketplace. In enLighten’s case, Sirius offers no similar programming.
In reality, if and when the merger is approved and ownership is combined, a small group of channels – ones with very low listenership – on both sides likely will be eliminated so that a select group of channels can be added on each side … such as baseball on Sirius and NFL football to the XM lineup. We are pleased to report that enLighten34 is definitely one of XM’s more-listened-to channels with tens of thousands of regular listeners, many of whom are known to listen to little else … something stated in numerous E-mail messages sent to enLighten34, such as the one from Dave printed below … without enLighten34, you have no reason to be an XM subscriber. Therefore, it’s hard to see how management would consider an action which carries such a negative economic impact as being a sensible move.
Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying enLighten‘s Southern Gospel Music. It is really the only reason that I subscribe to XM. — Dave
These notes from you, the enLighten34 listeners … make it clearly evident that the Lord is at work, using XM Radio to deliver His uplifting message through this music. For that, we rejoice and give Him the praise and glory!
The selection of music on enLighten34 is so appropriate and such a blessing to me. When I drive to work each morning, the songs that are being played strengthens my spirit and I`m ready to go for the day. Especially the song that was played this morning, sung by Ernie Haase … “LOVEST THOU ME” … really touched my heart. — Desiree, Puyallup, Washington
I recently purchased an XM radio. I wished I had done so sooner. I love the Gospel music I listen to. I am a fulltime truck driver and don`t always get to church, so I am very inspired by your music. I thank God for your music and thank God for you. — Charles, Russellville, Arkansas
The other day I was kind of depressed, and then I heard just a funny and crazy song on enLighten that really made my day! It was by Crystal River and was called “Christmas Is a Crazy Time of Year.” It was SO funny and really brightened my day. — Casey, Virginia
In closing … Southern Gospel columnist, D. Ann Bailey, has taken a popular expression, T-G-I-F … and given it a Christian twist, which we find to be just super: “Today God Is First!” A-men and hallelujah!
