Picking up where I left off last week … on this the 6th anniversary of enLighten, I’ve felt led to share about the founding and growth of this Southern Gospel music radio station which, through the grace of God and committed to His glory, has grown to be just about the biggest “oak tree” in Southern Gospel media.
It is to His credit, not mine. I am simply the shepherd who was called and available to answer that call. Many have been surprised that this Pennsylvania Dutchman, without a steeped background in Southern Gospel music, would be leading this mighty force that reaches into every corner of North America.
No one hired me to take on this responsibility – and I do consider it a great responsibility and privilege – I felt a sincere calling to step into this role when someone needed to fill it. I had been with XM Radio since December of 2000, having been brought on staff to develop the 1940’s Channel. In mid-2002, I created the Beautiful Music channel, at the time called Sunny, later re-named Escape. This musical genre was my total emphasis for more half of my more than 50 years in radio, so it was logical for me to handle that format as well.
But, enough about me. Back to the enLighten story … where it’s difficult to comprehend that six years have passed since that first day… November 15, 2004.
In September 2005, I attended my first National Quartet Convention which, of course, proved to be a great joy and great educational experience. And, I experienced the Singing News Fan Awards. It was quickly obvious that for the lovers of Southern Gospel, this was a major event – leading to an idea. Begin with the stage show presentation, then insert a song that featured the winner of each category, add appropriate comments by the likes of Singing News editor Danny Jones and present as enLighten’s first major special. Which we did … airing an enhanced version of the 2005 SNFA’s in November of 2005. Mind you, enLighten was not yet available on satellite, but we were able to commandeer the America country channel for airing what had become a four-hour production. The Fan Awards proved to be one of the most popular specials we’ve ever presented, and we’ve produced our “enhanced” rendition of the event each year since. (Note: We are planning to re-air the 2005 SNFA’s show during Thanksgiving week, so I suggest you check the Programming Page from time to time for exact broadcast times.)
Just a few days earlier, on its first anniversary, we had received our first major corporate “blessing” … when XM’s music channels were being added to DirecTV’s lineup on November 15th, 2005 . . . enLighten was included – dramatically increasing our reach and audience.
All along the way there’s been reasons for rejoicing as, looking back, one could see the Lord’s hand at work … as five months later, at Midnight on Easter Sunday night 2006, we made a giant leap and enLighten became one of XM Radio’s 69 commercial-free music channels! The explosion of our listenership was so dramatic, it was almost unbelievable. When XM surveyed subscribers just two months later, enLighten already ranked extremely high in listenership among XM’s list of 150+ channels. Company management obviously took notice, as early in 2007, a senior Company executive stood up at an all-employee meeting and called enLighten the “XM programming success story of 2006.”
A person who’s been in a prime position in the Southern Gospel music industry for going on 50 years now, wrote to us some three years ago, saying …
enLighten is the greatest thing that has happened to Southern Gospel music since the “Gospel Singing Jubilee” television program began airing across America in 1964. This industry’s gratitude to YOU is unending. XM Radio is truly taking our music from sea to shining sea. Every person, artist, and fan should promote XM and enLighten in every way and to every person they know or meet. And I know a lot of them are doing just that.
That, of course, was written before we became available on the Sirius Satellite Radio service and the Dish TV lineup as well, which occurred two years ago on November 12th.
I’m pleased to report that there are more and more subscribers who write, or visited us at the NQC, and tell us that they listen via Sirius and Dish TV – or report that they have Sirius in one car and XM in the other … indicating our total listenership continues to grow. However, without every one of you … a listening body now totaling as much as 150,000 – and very possibly approaching 200,000 … most of this would be meaningless, as you are our reason and purpose for being. What makes these totals truly impactful is that most of you report that you are “exclusive” enLighten listeners, that we are your one and only reason for subscribing!
We rejoice and are honored that we can be here … being a blessing and making a difference in the lives of those who “labor in the vineyard” singing Southern Gospel music … and, more importantly, for those of you who love this uplifting music.
There’s more to share, but I’ll save for a later date.
Marlin
If you missed Part One and would like to read it, you’ll find it here.
