Polar Opposites

Long ago I prepared a show that I intended to air. The goal in my young mind was an in depth expose into the debate hot, at the time, among Christian believers—musical style.

In the final analysis, there was no clear winner. Some felt that my station should play only one genre of Gospel music typical of which was lots of Country twang and four part harmony. Another style rich in tradition; represented by soulful singers such as Mahalia Jackson, the Winans, and Shirley Caesar. Then there was the Top 40 derived Contemporary Christian Music that, at this time, was very hot nationally. Amy Grant was queen and had just seen major crossover appeal into the mainstream (secular) market with exposure on the Top 40 outlets of the day. Additionally, a few CCM artists actually had their hits played on MTV. Arguably, the mid-1980’s was the apex of the genre’s popularity.

September 1986, my station was about to flip to a Contemporary Christian format in the afternoons. Today’s Gospel Rewind Podcast is the culmination of a quarter century of prep work. My listeners were passionate in their beliefs. Hear the debate in their own words for the first time anywhere from the request lines 25 years ago. Down load here or press play below.

Gospel Rewind “CCM Debate”, Episode 1, season 3

Stay tuned

©2011 Neal Rhoden, the Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All Rights Reserved.

Format Wars

Right now we are in the planning phase for our first podcast of the 2011 season. Here is a peek:

Several years ago this blogger hosted an afternoon music show on a radio station reputed to be a mixed bag of divergent religious formats. Many listeners were subjected to: Southern Gospel, Black Gospel and CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) blended on the same show. Infighting among believers over music is not new. We hope to tackle the polarizing affect musical style has had on the Christian community. Most of what Peanut Whistle has learned is from my personal audio tape archive in addition to  print and Internet resources. Forever the instigator, In 1986, I filled a 90 minute cassette tape with candid listener comments on this issue. Callers from both sides of the aisle chimed in; so far, the discussion plays back as an intelligent and balanced debate. Distilling all this information into a 15 – 20 minute podcast is a challenge.

Stay tuned

©2011 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All Rights Reserved.

Forge Ahead

Inexplicably, radio has beckoned me. In 2011 the radio bug's bite is less potent. First stung in 1983, I grew into my late 20's certain that my radio career would never end. 1995, now 29, a new retail career captured my attention. Little do I know, the next 13 years are spent away from radio entirely. In my mid-40's, real radio in decline, I begin a blog retelling my teens and twenties in broadcasting.

2009 I start the GRIN, an experimental Internet radio station from home along with its companion podcast. I scrap the 24 hour stream and concentrate on an irregularly scheduled podcast show. Ultimately, I lose interest in both.

It is 2011. This year the Peanut Whistle podcast intends a rebirth, of sorts; refocused and re-imagined. Stay tuned to this channel for the new show. I promise less retrospective, more entertainment. That is all we will reveal, so...

Stay tuned.

©2011 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle Weblog. All rights reserved.