Even though the latest XM Radio audience data shows that well over 30,000 persons are listening to enLighten34 at any given moment on any day of the week … more persons than attend the National Quartet Convention in Louisville during the entire week … my heart is troubled. Even though enLighten34has made it possible for Southern Gospel music and Southern Gospel artists to be heard throughout all of North America … my heart is still troubled.
Why? Please read on. Since we launched nationally via satellite just over two years ago and changed the Southern Gospel music industry, I’ve received lots of advice and “counsel” from members of the industry hierarchy … advising us on how enLighten34 should be programmed. “If a group does not appear on the main stage at the NQC, you shouldn’t be playing them.” “Play only recordings that have been in the top forty of the Singing News Top 80 chart.” “Here’s a list of the top 50 groups in Southern Gospel, these are who you should be focused on.”
All of these recommendations are appropriate guidelines that we use as such. However, the Holy Spirit will not let me follow them exclusively. It’s my belief that there are other groups and singers … the so-called “second tier” or regional ones … who deserve an opportunity to be heard on this exclusive national radio platform. And, the key to being given that opportunity can be summed up in one word … “excellence!” A well-written song that carries a meaningful message, a group made up of excellent singers who have the ability to communicate the song’s message with impact and touch hearts … all wrapped up in a well-produced and good sounding arrangement and recording.
Either for lack of a caring or qualified producer, and lack of attention to any or all of these elements I’ve just listed, too much of what we receive from these groups and artists just is “not ready for prime time.” Which leads to the reason my heart is troubled … as, at the moment, a number of groups and artists are “displeased” with Dan Dixon and me, especially yours truly … because we are not willing to play their brand-new CD or latest release to radio, especially if we have played one or more songs by them previously and they’ve seen the benefits of being heard on enLighten34.
Add to this … within the past few days we’ve been inundated with E-mails – obviously from relatives and friends – requesting that we play a song from a new recording by a singer who, unfortunately, in not ready for national exposure. And, we regularly hear from groups asking “what do we need to do to get played on enLighten34,” insinuating “how much do we need to pay.” There’s only one answer: “We have to like it,” meaning that Dan and I must feel that the recording in question meets all of the qualities outlined above. I wish we could find it in our hearts to play every “radio single” or something from every CD which comes in our door … but we just can’t. Not every singer, not every song, not every performance is created equal!
While I personally do not have a long history in Southern Gospel music, the one thing I’ve heard over and over is that its image has been severely tarnished by poor performances and poor quality recordings finding their way onto radio … and, I admit, a number of these have been played on enLighten34 in the past. However, we are endeavoring to make sure that does not continue. To play any of the recordings we are presently being asked – in one case being instructed – to add to our playlist would be harkening back to this which we’re attempting to rectify … for the good of everyone who sings or loves to listen to Southern Gospel music.
Back in January I addressed those in Southern Gospel music through a commentary titled Giving Your Best … To the Lord! … For the Lord! – where I used the Booth Brothers as an example. When a group has a song in the top 40 of the current Singing News chart, as does one brother with a song from his solo project, and the other brother also has a solo project that’s selling extremely well … it’s not just an accident of nature or God choosing to smile on them. While I know it’s not Biblical, I can’t help but quote that old phrase: “God helps those who help themselves!”
My prayer is that all of those who are upset with us will ultimately understand and recognize the reasons for our position … and the next time they go into a studio, they’ll seek to come out with a project that reaches for a Booth Brothers level of excellence!
Thank you for reading. If you have any comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Marlin R. Taylor
