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	<title>Education - CMB</title>
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	<description>Christian Music Broadcasters</description>
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	<title>Education - CMB</title>
	<link>https://cmbonline.org/category/education/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>5 Things CCM Listeners Would Happily Leave at the Door</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/5-things-ccm-listeners-would-happily-leave-at-the-door/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=5-things-ccm-listeners-would-happily-leave-at-the-door</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Finney]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 05:01:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finney's Fast 5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66818</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>If CCM Radio were throwing a party, listeners have made it pretty clear which guests they would rather not see at the door. Our research consistently uncovers five topics and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/5-things-ccm-listeners-would-happily-leave-at-the-door/">5 Things CCM Listeners Would Happily Leave at the Door</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/5-things-ccm-listeners-would-happily-leave-at-the-door/">5 Things CCM Listeners Would Happily Leave at the Door</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If CCM Radio were throwing a party, listeners have made it pretty clear which guests they would rather not see at the door.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our research consistently uncovers five topics and attitudes that listeners don’t want—and frankly, don’t expect—from their favorite Christian stations.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coming in at </span><b>no. 5: Sarcasm.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Apparently, “just kidding” doesn’t make everything funny.</span></p>
<p><b>No. 4: Hard News.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Listeners aren’t necessarily anti-news. They just didn’t turn on CCM Radio to get another news briefing.</span></p>
<p><b>No. 3: Sports.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Yes, people love sports. But there are plenty of places to get the score without turning the Christian music station into SportsCenter.</span></p>
<p><b>No. 2: Political Commentary.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Red, blue, donkey, elephant… listeners would rather leave the whole zoo outside.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And the runaway </span><b>no. 1: Hollywood/Pop Culture.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Celebrities may dominate the headlines, but they don’t dominate the reasons listeners choose CCM Radio.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bottom line: </span><b>They came for spiritual encouragement—and music. Keep the rest out of the rotation.</b></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Galatians 5:22-23 NIV</span></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/5-things-ccm-listeners-would-happily-leave-at-the-door/">5 Things CCM Listeners Would Happily Leave at the Door</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/5-things-ccm-listeners-would-happily-leave-at-the-door/">5 Things CCM Listeners Would Happily Leave at the Door</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Christian Radio’s Super Bowl</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/programming/christian-radios-super-bowl/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=christian-radios-super-bowl</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[CMB Online]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:31:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[On-Air]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66713</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Christmas is Christian radio’s Super Bowl, and we’re gearing up for kickoff! In a few months, people who may not normally listen to our stations are going to find us [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/christian-radios-super-bowl/">Christian Radio’s Super Bowl</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/christian-radios-super-bowl/">Christian Radio’s Super Bowl</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Christmas is Christian radio’s Super Bowl, and we’re gearing up for kickoff! In a few months, people who may not normally listen to our stations are going to find us because of Christmas music. That’s a huge opportunity. But are we thinking beyond Christmas Day? If this is someone’s first experience with our station, what are we doing to make them want to come back? And after spending weeks welcoming new listeners in, what happens on December 26? Christmas gives us an incredible opportunity to reach more people. The real opportunity is giving them a reason to stay. Hear what some of our CMB Members had to say about making the most of the Christmas season and turning those new listeners into year round listeners.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>If seasonal listeners discover your stations through streaming/social/search, what happens next? </b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lara Dykes – Digital Content Supervisor, The Light FM (WMIT)</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We put a heavy emphasis on-air for folks to sign up for Advent text messages throughout the month of December. We bring daily devotional thoughts/verses/videos from air talent and artists we play on The Light FM, as well as a weekly (Sunday) devotion, when people opt-in for Advent. After Christmas is over, we invite folks to continue their faith journey with The Light FM by downloading our Going Deeper 365-Day Bible Reading plan. Additionally, we just try to provide the same content year-round. Whether it’s Christmas themed or during any other season, our focus is sharing Jesus, encouraging the audience to follow Him and make them laugh a little (or a lot) while we’re doing it. The question is always ‘how can we lead them deeper?&#8217;</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>Beyond the music, what are listeners actually coming to Christian radio for at Christmas? </b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Randy Fox – Program Director, KSBJ</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I think nostalgia is part of what many people want from the Christmas season. For Christian radio specifically, I think they also want to experience Christmas through a lens that reflects their values. We don’t need to be overly religious about it, but we should convey that Christmas is about more than buying gifts and going to parties.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>What reasons are you giving your listeners to choose your station during the holidays? What does that look like?</b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brandi Reichert – Director of Strategic Marketing, JOY FM</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We LOVE Christmas!  Not only is the music different &#8230; there are so many amazing Christmas concerts and events to promote and invite listeners to!  So, we are very active in the community during this time. In November, we are planning a Home for the Holidays promotion, where someone will be able to fly a loved one home for the holidays!  Stories will be submitted online and one lucky winner will win transportation, hotel (if needed) &#8230; plus a gift certificate to help with meals and Christmas shopping to make Christmas extra special this year. In December, we go share JOY with places that may not be very joyful &#8230; places like the DMV, Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living Communities.  We have also gone to visit big not for profits or organizations who are helping others, but may not be thought of during this time, like Mercy Hospital and the St. Louis Area Foodbank. We bring a DJ or two &#8230; a special giveaway or activity that feels intentional and appropriate for each of the different places we go.  Plus, we partner with Chick-fil-A for this, so we bring food and the Chick-fil-A cow (which is a big hit)!</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>This may be someone’s first encounter with your morning show. Are you giving them reasons to connect and come back? What does that look like?</b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keith Stevens / Morning Show Host, KTIS</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have the unique position of being the &#8220;commercial free&#8221; Christmas station in the market!  We&#8217;ll attract new listeners  by offering up  top testing  familiar Christmas songs 24-7, a large billboard campaign, and playing zero commercials or &#8220;marketing partner&#8221; spots. Connecting with our new listeners through our &#8220;Christmas Blessings&#8221; promotion gives them a memorable reason to feel connected locally, compassionately, and emotionally, while hearing songs they love! That&#8217;s my aim each morning; providing spiritual encouragement and hopeful stories that make people feel the goodness of God. The pure emotion of &#8220;Christmas Blessings&#8221; is like no other campaign and truly represents Christ&#8217;s compassion through the radio.  &#8220;Christmas Blessings&#8221; is my morning centerpiece, a way of fulfilling the needs of our audience, nominated by our listeners, and connecting the nominator and recipient together on the air. The stories often go viral and are the showcase of the morning show. In addition to Christmas Blessings, we keep our talk breaks concise, obvious, and profound. Along with my co-host, Pam Lundell, we share  stories that are Christ centered and inspiring,  with real life connection. This strongly creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere for new listeners to return and want more. </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>Christmas naturally opens doors for generosity and service, but how do you do that without adding to the noise? </b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Matt Wall – President &amp; CEO, Carolina Christian Radio</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The team at Life 90.5 in Wilmington, NC looks at the Christmas season as our time to shine the light of the gospel into our community.  We run a huge billboard campaign beginning the last week of November that attracts the eyes of the whole family during the busy start of the Christmas season. Moms, dads and grandparents are looking for the best Christmas experiences for their children and grandchildren. Life 90.5 goes 100% Christmas including Rudolph and Frosty and O Holy Night from the Bing Crosby / Nat King Cole / Elvis classics to the new CCM modern Christmas hits.  This presents such an awesome opportunity to provide these experiences for the kids and families and share the hope of the gospel between the songs to those who are lost and broken.  During this season, there is also the opportunity to invite listeners into generosity as a way to spread the hope they are experiencing.  But how do we invite without disrupting the message?  Our team has developed a unique on air fundraising calendar that has proven to enhance the experience rather than disrupt it.  The 3- week on-air fundraising calendar begins the Monday after Thanksgiving in the form of &#8220;pop-up&#8221; fundraiser hours with heart warming stories of spiritual impact mostly voiced by listeners.  There is 1 pop-up hour of fundraising per daytime daypart.  This has proven to prevent listener fatigue as well as create the right amount of urgency&#8230; &#8220;Only 1 hour to fundraise this morning / midday / evening.&#8221;  Also, this has worked so well to prevent the host fatigue that can so easily come across on the air with the traditional consecutive hours approach. </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>We asked everyone the same question, “You&#8217;ve spent weeks bringing in new listeners. What is your plan for December 26? How are you turning Christmas listeners into year round listeners?”</b></h5>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>SOCIAL &amp; DIGITAL</b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lara Dykes – Digital Content Supervisor, The Light FM (WMIT)</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Light FM’s main focus during the Christmas season is telling the Christmas story through our own Christmas memories. We retell our favorite memories and the emotion behind them! Then &#8211; the rest of the year, we do the same thing (just without the Christmas part and a little less jingle bells). We try our best to tell such authentic stories both on air and online, that folks feel nostalgic and want to keep that feeling all year. December 26 is back to regularly scheduled story telling &#8211; we just want to tell whatever Jesus story we have and invite our listeners and viewers along (and give them space to tell their stories, too).</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>MUSIC &amp; PROGRAMMING</b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Randy Fox – Program Director, KSBJ</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Throughout the Christmas season, we’ll run imaging that highlights what we offer all year: hope, encouragement, and music that’s not just Christian, but powerful, uplifting, and fun to listen to. We’ll also launch our 7 Day Challenge, encouraging those listeners to stay with us beyond Christmas and experience the difference listening to us can make. I have some great stories from people who first started listening because of the Christmas music. It is a great way to bring in those who would normally never listen.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>MARKETING</b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brandi Reichert – Director of Strategic Marketing, JOY FM</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In January, we will kick off the new year with More JOY Everyday on JOY FM.  As listeners come back to normal schedules, they will be invited to tune in every day for a different prize package that will help bring more JOY to their days!  The contest runs for three weeks.  Each day&#8217;s giveaways are valued at over $500 and are created to help people spend more time with family and friends (or even just treat themselves) &#8230; concert tickets, packages of sports tickets, staycations, jewelry and more!  </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><b>ON–AIR</b></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keith Stevens – Morning Show Host, KTIS</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the morning show, I&#8217;ll share a &#8220;key word&#8221; daily during Christmas programming for &#8220;new listeners&#8221; to text!  When they do, they&#8217;ll get an opportunity to reply with their name, information and tell a little bit about why they listen and how they found us.  After Christmas, I&#8217;ll call a new listener each day, welcoming them to the station, and invite them personally to listen every morning. As a surprise and delight, not mentioned on the air, we&#8217;ll send them some welcoming swag in the mail and hope to begin a new relationship with them. I&#8217;ll select a new </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">name each day throughout January.   And of course, the fabric of compelling stories, and spiritual encouragement they enjoyed in December, will continue throughout January and beyond. Consistency and authentic delivery is Key! I&#8217;m so excited to see what God will do! </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><strong>FUNDRAISING</strong></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Matt Wall – President &amp; CEO, Carolina Christian Radio</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Immediately after Christmas and into the New Year, the pivot goes to an opportunity to engage in the community impact of spreading the hope of Jesus through our Valentines from Jesus program where hundreds of listeners sign up to participate every year. They are invited to sign up for a number of Valentine balloons with a small heart shaped box of chocolates and a printed Valentines card from Jesus with John 3:16 printed on the card.  Listeners are engaged and spreading the joy and hope of Jesus on Valentines Day. The team at Life 90.5 has witnessed year after year of great momentum with this Christmas / New Years / Valentines Day cycle.</span></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/christian-radios-super-bowl/">Christian Radio’s Super Bowl</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/christian-radios-super-bowl/">Christian Radio’s Super Bowl</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>Praying for Fall Fundraisers</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/revenue/praying-for-fall-fundraisers/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=praying-for-fall-fundraisers</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[CMB Online]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 01:43:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66694</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This month, CMB is praying for stations stepping into fall fundraising season and honoring the revenue difference-makers helping make it happen. From preparing the strategy to sharing the stories and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/revenue/praying-for-fall-fundraisers/">Praying for Fall Fundraisers</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/revenue/praying-for-fall-fundraisers/">Praying for Fall Fundraisers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This month, CMB is praying for stations stepping into fall fundraising season and honoring the revenue difference-makers helping make it happen. From preparing the strategy to sharing the stories and making the ask, we’re grateful for the people whose work helps fuel the mission of Christian radio.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A special thank you to <strong>Kelly Brandon of The Light FM</strong> and <strong>Clint Lewis of KCBI</strong> for helping us celebrate and encourage some of the teams hosting fundraising efforts this fall.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is your station hosting an upcoming fundraiser? We’d love to pray for you and your team! Email us at <span style="color: #1fabc3;"><strong><a style="color: #1fabc3;" href="mailto:info@cmbonline.org">info@cmbonline.org</a></strong></span> and let us know how we can be praying.</span></p>
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<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdcIIIrO2Ic/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by CMB (@cmb_online)</a></p>
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</blockquote>
<p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/revenue/praying-for-fall-fundraisers/">Praying for Fall Fundraisers</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/revenue/praying-for-fall-fundraisers/">Praying for Fall Fundraisers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>What’s Working in Fundraising Right Now?</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/revenue/whats-working-in-fundraising-right-now/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=whats-working-in-fundraising-right-now</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[CMB Online]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:01:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66686</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It’s fundraising season for many Christian radio stations, so we wanted to check in and see how things are going. What are stations seeing from donors? What seems to be [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/revenue/whats-working-in-fundraising-right-now/">What’s Working in Fundraising Right Now?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/revenue/whats-working-in-fundraising-right-now/">What’s Working in Fundraising Right Now?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s fundraising season for many Christian radio stations, so we wanted to check in and see how things are going. What are stations seeing from donors? What seems to be working? And what can we learn from each other?</span></p>
<h4><strong>We asked a few leaders in Christian radio to share what they’re seeing. Here’s what they had to say&#8230;</strong></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Fall Fundraiser starts this week and our leadup has been solid so far, trending ahead of the 25 Fall Fundraiser pre-drive. For fiscal 27, (Started July 1) overall we are up in revenue from the previous year, but actual ministry partners are down slightly from this point in fiscal 26.  Really, that’s no surprise for general giving across most organizations and of course in the industry, for years it’s been less people giving more money.  Still, given the economic situation that has changed from a year ago and fear and confusion that is rampant in this world, to be up at all at this point is a tremendous blessing from God! We continue to ramp up storytelling, especially for all the “value added” parts of the ministry above and beyond radio. It proves once again that even in tough economic times, people WILL support an organization that supports them through that tough situation.  In other words, people will sacrifice and reach out to help ministries to make sure they (and others) can easily reach for God.” <strong>–</strong><strong> John Brock, Senior Fundraising Strategist (Intentional Living Ministries / Family Life Radio)</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We kicked off a great season last week. The station we were serving raised more during their own air event than they have in the previous three years, despite a crazy economy and high gas prices and also despite it being the anniversary of the killing of Charlie Kirk and 911. Sharing about the Ministry Impact is obviously key to people engaging. But the two things we are seeing that seems to be new are these: (1) Simplify the ask. Tell people what you need, why, and ask for it. (2) This seems to be a very important one. Have fun! Many people commented that it sounded like we were having a great time and they wanted to be a part of the excitement.” <strong>–</strong><strong> Jack Eason, President (Heart Share)</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There are lots of mechanics to consider in fundraising, but we’ve found that when we communicate our love and joy for the mission of sharing Jesus, the invitation to support it feels less like an ask and more like an opportunity to belong and participate in something they deeply believe in. People want to know they’re contributing to something meaningful and helping make a real difference. They want to be a part of something that matters.” <strong>–</strong><strong> Suzanne Happs, Sr. Director, Media Ministries (Northwestern Media)</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It turns out the stations seeing the strongest fundraising results aren’t relying on earth-shattering programming insights… just a few shared habits that keep proving themselves. First, they champion a mission that listeners actually want to join. The wording may change from station to station, but the heartbeat is the same: when people believe in what you’re trying to do, they naturally want to help you do more of it. Second, they don’t treat fundraising like a once‑or‑twice‑a‑year “on‑air event,” but as something that can happen anytime. That shift alone opens the door for more listeners to give on their terms instead of ours. Third, they make the impact unmistakably clear. When a station shows donors exactly what their gift accomplishes, the donor suddenly sees where they fit in the mission. And once they see that, every on‑air story becomes a little window into the return on their investment, a reminder that God is using their station to do something with eternal weight” <strong>–</strong><strong> Jon Hull, Consultant, Audience Growth (Finney Media)</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s challenging, no doubt because of the economy and other issues, however, people are stepping up and helping to meet the goals. Stations that are connecting with your audience still have their audience wanting to give. I’m personally looking forward to a phenomenal fundraising season.” <strong>– Bill Scott, Chief Client Officer (Vidare Creative)</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Bridge launched a special fundraising campaign this year in celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary. This campaign was about more than giving. We invited our Bridge family to help grow the ministry by introducing new listeners to The Bridge and sharing stories of how God has used The Bridge to make an impact in their lives. We were blessed to exceed our financial goal and incredibly encouraged by the response. We are grateful to see our Bridge family come together to help expand the reach and impact of this ministry. <strong>–</strong> <strong>Jeff Twilley, President/General Manager (The Bridge)</strong></span></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/revenue/whats-working-in-fundraising-right-now/">What’s Working in Fundraising Right Now?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/revenue/whats-working-in-fundraising-right-now/">What’s Working in Fundraising Right Now?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>Streaming is Growing. Does Radio Still Matter?</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/on-air/streaming-is-growing-does-radio-still-matter/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=streaming-is-growing-does-radio-still-matter</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Todd Stach]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:01:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[On-Air]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66652</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It’s easy to put a song on streaming. Anyone can do it. Feels like streaming is more like a participation trophy sometimes. It’s harder to get a song on the [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/on-air/streaming-is-growing-does-radio-still-matter/">Streaming is Growing. Does Radio Still Matter?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/on-air/streaming-is-growing-does-radio-still-matter/">Streaming is Growing. Does Radio Still Matter?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s easy to put a song on streaming. Anyone can do it. Feels like streaming is more like a participation trophy sometimes.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s harder to get a song on the radio… for a reason. More on that later.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s the dilemma. Most artists rely on radio songs to sustain a touring career where much of their money is made. I’ve seen articles and videos about this very topic recently, and they all support the concept of successful touring tied to radio. Reach out to a booking agency and they’ll confirm this.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, there are exceptions including Forrest Frank.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It seems like many of the decisions shaping an artist’s career are being made through a digital lens only, which overlooks the role radio can have in building an artist and connecting them with listeners. </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>RADIO PDs ARE GATEKEEPERS</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, radio program directors ARE gatekeepers. PDs have curated the best songs to serve their listeners for decades. There’s a reason a format is called TOP 40 and not Mediocre 40. In my opinion, on the CCM Top 20 chart there may be six to eight great songs at any given time. The rest are just good.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Oh, and PDs, including myself, aren’t immune from constructive criticism. They can be fickle, set in their ways, and unwilling to change. PDs have more tools than ever to make song add decisions with greater confidence.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">  </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Data reveals that radio still matters to the listener. Radio matters to an artist’s longevity. So, let’s make sure that the very best songs are being released and also played on the radio.</span></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br />
<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2021, Todd Stach launched Beyond 615, a coaching and consulting service, where he strives to help others build confidence and discover their full potential. He has led over 1,900 coaching sessions with radio shows. At the time of this article, he serves 34 shows at 12 radio stations. Todd has also written 200+ </span></i><a href="https://www.beyond615.com/what"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">free articles</span></i></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to encourage on-air personalities and program directors. He and his family live in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the CCM industry.</span></i></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/on-air/streaming-is-growing-does-radio-still-matter/">Streaming is Growing. Does Radio Still Matter?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/on-air/streaming-is-growing-does-radio-still-matter/">Streaming is Growing. Does Radio Still Matter?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Top 5 Tuneouts</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-top-5-tuneouts/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-top-5-tuneouts</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Finney]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:37:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finney's Fast 5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66572</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey offers CCM broadcasters a clear message: listeners may love Christian music, but they can quickly tune out when the overall experience misses the [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-top-5-tuneouts/">The Top 5 Tuneouts</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-top-5-tuneouts/">The Top 5 Tuneouts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey offers CCM broadcasters a clear message: listeners may love Christian music, but they can quickly tune out when the overall experience misses the mark.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The no. 1 tuneout is </span><b>a negative, angry, or judgmental tone</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, with 86 percent saying they are at least somewhat likely to tune out. That’s a powerful reminder that CCM listeners expect an encouraging, uplifting listening environment.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The remaining Top 5 are remarkably practical: </span><b>commercials (46%)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><b>songs you don’t like (45%)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><b>an announcer who talks too much (44%)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><b>topics you’re not interested in (42%)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For CCM, these findings point to a simple strategy: protect the listening experience. Keep the tone positive, respect the music, make breaks concise, and make content matter. Every element should answer the listener’s unspoken question: </span><b>“Why should I keep listening?”</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The goal isn’t simply to avoid tuneouts—it’s to create a station experience listeners want to stay with.</span></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-top-5-tuneouts/">The Top 5 Tuneouts</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-top-5-tuneouts/">The Top 5 Tuneouts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>Smaller Market Coaching Thoughts</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/on-air/smaller-market-coaching-thoughts/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=smaller-market-coaching-thoughts</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tommy Kramer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:01:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[On-Air]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66451</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In 30 years of Talent Coaching all sized markets, I’ve found that the smaller market radio stations often have something that the medium and large markets don’t have – Authenticity. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/on-air/smaller-market-coaching-thoughts/">Smaller Market Coaching Thoughts</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/on-air/smaller-market-coaching-thoughts/">Smaller Market Coaching Thoughts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 30 years of Talent Coaching all sized markets, I’ve found that the smaller market radio stations often have something that the medium and large markets </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">don’t</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have – Authenticity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While their formatics may sometimes be weak by major market standards, they often MEAN more to listeners. The reason is simple: they can be local. So, they can reflect more easily what the majority of their listeners really care about and identify with – and that’s the whole Content ballgame.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re in a small market, you should touch on the most important “big” stories. But even then, make an effort to be as local as possible – or you can easily LOCALIZE that big story. Ask yourself: what does it have to do with you, and your neighbors?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Relevance is King. “Items to talk about” are blah-blah. To connect with your listeners, put yourself in their shoes, see what they see, and reflect </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">their emotions</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In the process, share </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">yours</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – serious or not-so-serious.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These thoughts apply to the most successful personalities in ANY size market, and in any format.</span></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><a href="https://www.goodratings.com/tommykramertip/tommy-kramer-coaching-tip-689-smaller-market-coaching-thoughts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Link to Original Source</em></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/on-air/smaller-market-coaching-thoughts/">Smaller Market Coaching Thoughts</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/on-air/smaller-market-coaching-thoughts/">Smaller Market Coaching Thoughts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Power of Radio</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-radio/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-power-of-radio</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[CMB Online]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 03:21:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[On-Air]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66279</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>August 20 is National Radio Day. A day to celebrate radio and the hope and encouragement it gives to millions of people every day.  With all of the audio vying [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-radio/">The Power of Radio</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-radio/">The Power of Radio</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">August 20 is National Radio Day. A day to celebrate radio and the hope and encouragement it gives to millions of people every day.  With all of the audio vying for its “share of the ear,” radio remains the largest piece of that proverbial pie. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Nielsen, AM/FM radio reaches 87% of adults in the US every week, and Americans still spend nearly four hours a day with audio. In the car, AM/FM accounts for 55% of listening time. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But radio is more than numbers. It’s about connection. It’s the familiar voice joining you in the morning. The song that plays at just the right moment. The stories of hope that fill your tank. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Technology will continue to change. Radio will change with it. But there will always be something powerful about one person behind a microphone connecting with one person on the other side. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s what makes radio special.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In honor of National Radio Day, here are a few thoughts from our own CMB Insiders and a few other names you’ll recognize…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Anytime in radio that you can reach somebody on an emotional level, you&#8217;re really connecting.” <strong>&#8211; Casey Kasem</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am reframing the ‘have to’s’ of this job, like support drive into the  ‘get to’s.’  I get to hear people’s stories and I get to see God move in their lives. That subtle shift actually helps me enjoy support drives so much more.” <strong>&#8211; Wally </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can get a song in 74 places. Apple’s got it, Spotify’s got it, but radio is your friend.” <strong>&#8211; Bobby Bones</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Radio is the only medium that never asks you to stop living to enjoy it.” <strong>&#8211; Troy West</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I love laughing with our listeners, hearing their stories, and being part of their daily lives.” <strong>&#8211; Ryan Seacrest</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Radio is super special because it’s powerful and personal at the same time. Reaching a crowd, while remaining an intimate conversation with one.”  <strong>&#8211; Cari Kates</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are in the friendship business.” <strong>&#8211; Elvis Duran</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There’s nothing better than talking to one of my radio friends and hearing a story about a song I’m working, and the power of that song on a listener&#8217;s life. That’s powerful.” <strong>&#8211; Grant Hubbard</strong></span></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-radio/">The Power of Radio</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-radio/">The Power of Radio</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Holy Grail Of Verticality</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-holy-grail-of-verticality/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-holy-grail-of-verticality</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Fred Jacobs]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:01:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66275</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Just a couple months back I wrote a post that is already boomeranging back into relevance. In May, I posed the question: “Will Radio Be The Last Medium With A [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-holy-grail-of-verticality/">The Holy Grail Of Verticality</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-holy-grail-of-verticality/">The Holy Grail Of Verticality</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just a couple months back I wrote a post that is already boomeranging back into relevance. In May, I posed the question: </span><a href="https://jacobsmedia.com/will-radio-be-the-last-medium-with-a-clips-promo-strategy/"><b>“Will Radio Be The Last Medium With A ‘Clips’ Promo Strategy?” </b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">It told the story of Amazon’s Prime’s launch of a “Clips” vertical feed, the hottest online trend of the year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the time, Amazon Prime execs sang the praises of “verticality,” especially among young people. In fact, the fascinating conclusion of the post was that many Gen Zs would rather watch shortform promo videos than the actual full-length content.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, just one quarter later and we’re seeing the vertical boom showing up virtually everywhere. HBO Max now has new video feeds in beta for select iPhone owners in the U.S. The appropriately named “HBO Max Shorts” takes an interesting approach. Rather than using any old </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Game Of Thrones</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> scenes to promote the lengthy multi-year television series, the streamer utilizes AI to find the catchiest clips from a show. Viewers can start watching the series. Thus, this tool specializes in content discovery, something HBO Max programmers are excited about.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And a key component is the use of the vertical video format. As a story in</span><a href="https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/meta-ai/articles/hbo-max-shorts-brings-vertical-145633507.html?guccounter=1"> <i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yahoo! Tech </span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">points out, “Vertical video has gone from a social media oddity to the dominant format for mobile viewing. Apps like TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts trained users to expect full-screen videos that fill a smartphone display without requiring them to rotate the device.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new story in </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Verge, </span></i><a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/970756/vertical-video-tiktok-youtube-instagram-streaming-facebook"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The vertical video takeover is here”</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has an interesting subhead: “How TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube copied their way to victory.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Editor-at-large David Pierce credits this trend to Snapchat, the first platform to successfully embrace the vertical format, based almost entirely on how we use our smartphones. Parent company, Snap, launched this viewing consumption trend way back in 2013, and now virtually every social platform—not to mention companies like Amazon and HBO Max have flipped their content vertically.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It turns out Mark Zuckerberg may have been the first copycat, cloning Snap’s format for Instagram “Stories.” It wasn’t long before the vertical format started making appearances on platforms that include Tinder, LinkedIn, Medium, Facebook, and YouTube.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pierce, however, credits TikTok with being the catalyst that has made vertical video nearly ubiquitous. Time spent scrolling on video platforms like “Reels” (Meta), “Shorts” (YouTube), and of course, TikTok are consuming a minimum of 50% of time spent on these platforms.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Obviously, cloning is an art form on the web. Pierce notes Disney built their version on ESPN and another for Disney Plus, both branded “Verts.” And Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount Plus all call their versions “Clips.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pierce also notes the advertising world has figured out the popularity of vertical videos, converting most ads to this format that can be converted to any length of time desirable. Combined with AI to zero in on target consumers, verticality is everywhere and showing no signs of running out of steam.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s a reminder that standards can change very quickly on the web (although Pierce quotes </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/13/technology/personaltech/vertical-video-on-the-small-screen-not-a-crime.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">New York Times </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">story</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> way back in 2015 that made the case that “The future of video, it turns out, just may be vertical.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the light of today, it is essential for content creators to adopt what has become the vertical standard. Not only is it everywhere, but it is the format that millions (billions?) have become comfortable watching.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And if you’re going to repurpose those clever morning show videos you shoot on social media (and of course, that makes sense), you’ve got to use the format that now defines how we stream video content on the web.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All that said, going horizontal has its advantages, especially for YouTube and also capturing a widescreen look for a vast space like an air studio. So, how do you shoot both horizontal </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">vertical, without using two cameras. I ran into this handy video from Jay Wilson Media that offers some helpful advice.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One final note on the power of video for virtually any digital content brand. Reddit—a decidedly non-video platform—told </span><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/31/reddit-is-testing-a-new-way-to-watch-and-listen-to-its-viral-posts/?utm_campaign=daily_am"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">TechCrunch</span></i></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">last week they’re experimenting with a new concept aptly named “video Reddit” that will let users watch video. But here’s a twist—Reddit fans will also be able to listen to the posts in the background while doing other things.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even LinkedIn has a beta of a TikTok-esque short-form video feed. A new “Video” tab takes you to a feed of short videos users can swipe through.</span></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">TechCrunch</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> refers to the phenomenon as “the TikTok-ification of the web at scale.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For radio—the original audio medium—it begs the question of how video can be used the most sensibly, to both enhance the experience and to also create another source of revenue. Both would be welcome additions.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><a href="https://jacobsmedia.com/the-holy-grail-of-verticality/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link to Original Source</a></em></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-holy-grail-of-verticality/">The Holy Grail Of Verticality</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-holy-grail-of-verticality/">The Holy Grail Of Verticality</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Power of a Yes</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-a-yes/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-power-of-a-yes</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[CMB Online]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:13:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=66243</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We asked 3 artists, &#8220;What is a song one programmer believed in before anyone else? How did it help shape the industry?&#8221; Here are their answers&#8230; &#160; Peter Burton – [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-a-yes/">The Power of a Yes</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-a-yes/">The Power of a Yes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We asked 3 artists, &#8220;What is a song one programmer believed in before anyone else? How did it help shape the industry?&#8221; </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are their answers&#8230;</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>Peter Burton – <em>Where Would I Be</em></b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I&#8217;ll never forget the moment I got the call from my team that my debut radio single was officially </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">added to the radio. I was a brand new artist, with not much to my name other than a song I believed in. It turns out someone else did too, sooner than I expected.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tony Weir out in OKC took a chance on a brand new artist and a song he believed in. I can still </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">go back to that day as I sat in my truck listening to the radio. As the song played, I had no idea if </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">this would be the only time I would ever hear the song on air or if others would maybe see his </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">belief and follow along. Either way, I was forever grateful for Tony and the moment I got to experience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Little did we know that the same song would become a </span><b>9-week No. 1</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> debut radio single and that it would change my life. Early belief is a gift that comes with the blessing of knowing someone else was willing to take a chance on you and give you a shot in an industry that&#8217;s more difficult than ever to step into.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thank you, Tony, for taking that chance. And thank you to everyone who took this song to the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">top of the charts. But most importantly, thank You, Jesus, for doing what only You can do!</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>Ryan Stevenson – <em>Eye of the Storm</em></b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When I wrote </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eye of the Storm</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, I was writing about life experiences that were happening in real time. Every word of that song was either something I was personally living through or something someone close to me was experiencing. There&#8217;s a line in the song that says, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;when addiction steals my baby girl, and there&#8217;s nothing I can do.&#8221;</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> That line was inspired by a close friend whose young daughter was suffering from a severe heroin addiction. During a conversation over lunch, he told me that his baby girl—who was 21 years old—was in and out of rehab, living on and off the streets, and simply couldn&#8217;t overcome her addiction. He was weeping as he talked, coming to terms with the heartbreaking reality that his daughter was going to die. Although he would have done anything to save her, he was realizing there was nothing he could do.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the record label&#8217;s perspective, we already believed we had our Christian radio singles on the album, so I felt no pressure to make </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eye of the Storm</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> into something that fit the format. Having grown up singing hymns in church, I wanted to write my own modern-day hymn—gritty, stomp-and-clap, with lyrics that were raw, honest, and true to real life. After years of serving as a paramedic and witnessing people in the middle of real tragedy, I felt a freedom—and even a responsibility—to speak about what people were actually going through. I felt many songs were intentionally vague (&#8220;what happens to vagueness stays in vagueness&#8221;), and there was a significant absence of songs addressing the real issues families across America face every day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With lyrics about betrayal, addiction, shattered dreams, and financial collapse, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eye of the Storm</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> was anything but vague. That honesty ultimately led to an alternate &#8220;radio edit.&#8221; My team believed we needed to soften some of the language because, as they put it, &#8220;we don&#8217;t want to give anyone a reason not to play it.&#8221; Ironically, the biggest criticism I&#8217;ve received over the years has been from my own audience, asking why I changed the lyrics. Countless people have shared stories with me about children they lost to addiction and expressed disappointment that those lyrics were altered. Hearing those testimonies from exhausted, grieving parents has always been difficult, and it continually reminds me of the importance of never compromising the message.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first person in my inner circle that I shared the song with was Toby, who immediately said, &#8220;This is a single.&#8221; He was the very first person to truly believe in it and champion it after hearing nothing more than a simple work tape that I texted him.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When we released the song to Christian radio, almost no one played it. There was, however, one program director who believed in it from the beginning and immediately added it to his station. His name was Rick Stevens at KYTT in Coos Bay. His support gave the song a chance to find real people.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rick reminded me that one person willing to take a chance can completely change the trajectory of someone&#8217;s life—not just the direction of a career. His immediate support demonstrated what leadership and courage look like: a willingness to champion a song and a voice he believed in, even when no one else did. He wasn&#8217;t waiting for research or testing. He wasn&#8217;t looking for validation from something that had already proven itself. Rick simply led.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That one radio add slowly became more. Over time, it turned into a closed-out panel, a 19-week No. 1 song, and ultimately a Platinum record. It all started because one person had the courage to believe.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>Chris Cleveland of Stars Go Dim – <em>Holy</em></b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m so grateful for my friend, Sarah Taylor at KCMS in Seattle, for being the first programmer to add my song, “Holy!&#8221;  It’s never lost on me how important our partnerships are on every song, and I’m so grateful for every single time any of you all partner with us and play any of our songs. Because of her early support, so many more of you have had the confidence to take a chance on this song, and it’s been so wonderful to get the positive feedback from across the country about how “Holy” is impacting your listeners. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, thank you to all of you for over a decade of partnership, and thank you to Sarah for her willingness to lead on this song. I’m looking forward to many more years of partnership in ministry together!  Until then, I’m so grateful to sing Holy, Holy, Holy with all of you now just as we will one day in Heaven. God bless y&#8217;all!</span></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-a-yes/">The Power of a Yes</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-power-of-a-yes/">The Power of a Yes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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