From time to time I’ll hear radio stations use the phrase, “music and ministry,” which, ever so subtly, infers that music isn’t ministry. Perhaps that dates to a time that many of us remember that Christian radio stations had long talk blocks, and that music was often considered the “fill” between what was considered the real ministry.

That still is in the conversation as stations discuss the value of playing Christmas music to reach new listeners.

By the time you are reading this, Christian music stations up and down the dial have swapped out their typical playlist for the 137 best versions of “Holly Jolly Christmas.” While the strategic upside to that wacky Clark Kent-to-Superman identity change has been well chronicled in these 15+ years of weekly Frost Advisories, I reckon’ one aspect of this format flip may not have received enough attention. That’s the part that isn’t about the music.

“You never have a second chance to make a first impression.”

Will Rogers

This week’s Frost Advisory is a bit of a departure from my weekly musings on how to make your radio station really nifty. Instead, I’d like to take this moment during Thanksgiving week to encourage you in the important work you’re doing at your station.

I’m told that the word “encouragement” means literally to pour courage into. This word for “encouragement” appears over 100 times in the New Testament.

Over the years I’ve learned that there are basically three different levels of discussions that happen about programming.

There are conversations about being competent. Basic stuff like having real people (even if voice-tracked) offering companionship in your listener’s life RIGHT HERE and RIGHT NOW.

And there are conversations about incremental improvements. Move this widget here, etc.

But those two topics are not necessarily transformative.

And… FOX news! (Seriously!)

Have you seen FOX News’ latest image campaign? To me it’s reminiscent of ESPN’s classic campaign awhile back where famous athletes in uniform appeared in ordinary situations in the ESPN headquarters – in the break room, walking through a hallway, in the parking lot.

In other words, making celebrities (Aaron Judge, Payton Manning, Derek Jeter) ordinary, and making ordinary people (the ESPN anchors) celebrities.

It’s the most important question we can ask. Or better, it’s the most important question we can ANSWER.

Our format is foundationally based on values. It attracts people that share those values. Our most loyal listeners and donors and even staff are those that share those values the deepest.

That’s our WHY!

I’m fixin’ to do some fuzzy math so hang on.

It recently dawned on me that I see more bumper stickers for churches than I do for radio stations. And where I live would hardly be considered the Bible belt.

This week I was a part of a conversation that had nothing to do with radio. Until I realized that it did.

For 790 weeks (that’s 15+ years for those of you keeping track), I’ve been churning out these Frost Advisories on my nifty laptop with the hope that they may inspire you to do better radio. Maybe even transformational radio. Golly, maybe even to impact your listeners’ lives.

Which is more important? Creativity or discipline?

My answer is ‘yes.’

My first Program Director gig was when I was 21. Obviously, I didn’t know anything about programming at that age, but I did have the lowest voice on the air staff, had my own car, and laughed at the boss’s jokes.

In the decades since I’ve trained a couple of program directors, coached a few air personalities, and taught up to a few general managers about the fundamentals of programming.

I don’t mean to brag but I was third chair Sousaphone player in high school. I could puff out my cheeks on the half notes right along with the best in the county. My West Texas public school education learned me a lot about good music.

But enough about me. I wonder what we could learn by comparing the design of a great radio station to that of a great song.

Let’s start at the beginning.