Embracing Entropy in DiverseCity

Or is TobyMac trapped in a Circle of Dust. Sorry for the Rocky and Bullwinkle dual titles. I think I am fairly certain that the two will not be doing a single together anytime soon.

I do have a method to my madness. While Industrial Strength hip hop may not be appealing my point is. As I mentioned in my first post on the subject, there are many genres represented in Christian music. Now some of them may not release enough to fill a program director's playlist needs, others could possibly fill multiple years without a single repeat. But why should it have to be that way. The sin is that approximately 90% of Christian Music will never be played on over the air Christian Radio. The internet is a different tune altogether, as genre specific radio stations abound. OTA is an Adult Contemporary wasteland. How about we mix it up. We could have the AC/Worship going from 11pm to 9am and the rest of the time have music for people with a pulse. Just half kidding there. As a lot of Worship music has moved into the EDM zone it has offended the pillars (who are stiff as one), and that is fine with me.

Christian music is as diverse as the mainstream, and we should embrace it in all its glory. Musically definitely, but also theologically. If the musician says they're a Christian that's good enough for me. And I'm not going to throw them out if they sin. Only Jesus was perfect.

And maybe even some ethnic diversity. There is only one race, and that is human. There really isn't a reason why the same station couldn't play Southern and Urban Gospel music. Well maybe I should say a good reason. Why humiliate our Southern Gospel stick in the muds. White boys got no rhythm. I'm of Polish descent. I know of what I speak.

Until now I have stuck to the tunes. Beginning with my next post I will be meddling with Radio Station personnel. Preparing to defend against incoming missiles.  Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

There's just something about that name dropping

The 1960's are usually portrayed by "Christians" as being nothing more than a bunch of dope smoking long haired hippie freak Vietnam war protesters. Actually none of that really happened until 1968, so we defined a decade by 2 years. Woodstock occurred in the Summer of 69, but God was at work among them behind the scenes.

The saved hippie freaks turned into Jesus Freaks and gave rise to what has been called the Jesus Music Era. Officially given a twenty year life of 1969-1989, but it probably ended around 1985 with the release of Amy Grant's Unguarded. Of course some say it could have ended in 1977 when the first issue of CCM Magazine came out. I am going to give a date of 1981 when Petra came out with Never Say Die. Still that's 12 years.

A joke about the era was that they took a secular song and put Jesus words to it so they all went "Jesus Jesus Wo Wo Wo." That wasn't true even for evangelistic groups like the Second Chapter of Acts, much less groups like The Choir. Nonetheless a tradition arose that to be considered Christian, you needed to use the name of Jesus at least a million times per three minute song. But like I said, that didn't just exclude modern bands, but all of the Jesus Era as well.

It is my firm belief that song doesn't have to name drop Jesus multiple times to be considered Christian. Being a 80s Radio DJ I was into U2 as much as Petra. It still is the same today. For every "there's something about that name" there is a "Lost in Paradise" that I get blessed by. A Leah McHenry or Celldweller release virtually gushes forth in Bible verses if you listen carefully.

Step 2, simply put, is that Christian music cannot be neatly defined, so we shouldn't try to. Instead. We should revel in its blessed diversity. That's step 3. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

We're a Band: The Legend of the Polkageist

We're not a Christian Band, we're a band whose members are Christian. It's one of those theological Chicken or Egg arguments. And like the chicken it is just as endless. The reason it is even asked is because Christians like to believe Christian Music is something special.

The reality is that Christian Music is simply Music By Christians. Like the mainstream, Christian Music has multiple genres. Rock, Metal, Folk, Rap, Country and more. All have a "Christian alternative". (Thankfully not including Polka as yet, when that happens the end shall have come).

The corollary to Christian Music is that there is such a thing as "The Devil's Music". It is also a fantasy. It's not Rock and Roll, and although I agree with Greg X. Volz personally, it's not Country and Western either.

According (not accordion) to Ezekiel 28:13, which many attribute to Lucifer, "the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created." Those are musical instruments. The idea is when Lucifer fell and became Satan, these instruments also fell and became "Devil Music". Only problem is. If he had all instruments in him then all music is fallen. Or none is. Maybe God just said "You're Fired." I think that's the case, and music is music.

And that's why the first step to saving Christian Music Radio is to realize that there is no such thing as Christian Music. I'll give that a few days to marinate. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Quest: Saving Christian Music Radio

Christian Music Radio is dying. As a former DJ I know of what I speak. Hopefully we can save the patient, but if death occurs the coroner will list the cause as suicide, and slow motion suicide at that. I know my opinion isn't popular. After all, isn't K-Love buying up stations left and right? Yes, but they are actually part of the problem.

While the acquisition of over the air radio stations during a shift into web radio looks like a win (former WAAF in my local area), it belies a cancer that threatens to kill Christian Music Radio ( as opposed to Christian Music, which is undergoing a resurgence).

What can be done? I have a plan based on my experience in Christian Music over the space if almost 40 years:

Christian Music is just Music by Christians.

Jesus Wouldn't Listen to Jesus Music.

Embrace (Musical) Diversity.

Bring Back The DJ.

The Playlist is not life.

Each point deserves its own post, and it shall get it. Even without comment these points may lead you in my direction of thought. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Quarantine Update

I am Back. At least temporarily. Since the end of the day on March 13 The Night Beat has been on restricted status. Posting on a mobile app does not allow for proper formatting, so until now I have chosen to only update my Facebook Page.

The staff is getting stir crazy. Youppi is constantly singing Frere Jacque. Still we have managed to use the less hectic pace to our advantage. We are catching up on our release schedule and have just completed April Albums. When full access is restored be prepared for a tsunami of posts, as it is also quarterly wrap time.

PVX judging is slow, but on a much better pace than year 9. The Awards have always been virtual from the start. While I would like to award a trophy in a celebrity/artist filled auditorium, such is not the case yet. At least nobody can force me to cancel. Soon though. First I will have to build the Emerald Center (aka The Dunes).

Signing off for now. I will attempt to post regular updates here, but do check me out on Facebook. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: The Singles Scene - February 2020

Time To Wrap The Songs of February. As most of you know, we split the songs and albums into Separate editions of rewind with the beginning of the Roaring 20's. Let's get to it. Just as with the album rewind, we begin with those songs which will not make the entry pool for the Platinum Vinyl Awards (and we are currently in PVXI eligibility year).

Missing The Mark

• Jon Guerra - Citizens 3.25 Emeralds

I try to keep CCM and Politics separate as much as possible, but this one really got me. Paid for by the Democrat National Committee. With Lines like "He broke the law  just to save them, working for three bucks an hour" or worse yet "you're building a city where we arrive as immigrants and you call us citizens." Actually he should read his Bible. We are Created a New Creature in Christ. We are Born Children of God. Without Birthright Citizenship no one gets in. There are no immigrants to Heaven, only Native Born. If you stick to the Bible you cannot go wrong. Anyway, due to another song disappearing, it was the only one that missed the mark. A lot Blew Me Away, and those are designated Perfect.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Cory Asbury - Christ be Magnified (Live)  5 Emeralds
• Audrey Assad - the Middle 5 Emeralds
• Bri Babineaux - Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) 5 Emeralds
• Bethel Music - God of Revival (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Caleb and Kelsey - Build my Life 5 Emeralds
• Celldweller - My Disintegration (Becko Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Covenant Worship - Just One Drop 5 Emeralds
• Leanna Crawford - Funeral 5 Emeralds
• Hope Darst - Peace Be Still 5 Emeralds
• Eversmith - Holy Matrimony 5 Emeralds
• Eversmith - Inferno 5 Emeralds
• Eversmith - Praise Quake 5 Emeralds
• Sean Feucht - Raise our voice 5 Emeralds
• Grace Worship - Christ Be All 5 Emeralds
• Natalie Grant - My Weapon 5 Emeralds
• Natalie Grant - My Weapon (Sacred Version) 5 Emeralds
• ICF Worship - Here Is My Heart 5 Emeralds
• Jesus Culture - More Than Enough ft Kim Walker-Smith 5 Emeralds
• Ledger - My Arms 5 Emeralds
• Life Church Worship - I Won't move 5 Emeralds
• Long Hollow Wave - Allelulia 5 Emeralds
• Jonathan McReynolds - People 5 Emeralds
• Matty Mullins - No Hold On Me 5 Emeralds
• Neon Feather - Do or Die ft Kinn 5 Emeralds
• North Point Worship - Just Getting Started 5 Emeralds
• Nutronic - Reconnect 5 Emeralds
• Ginny Owens - Undefeated 5 Emeralds
• Matthew Parker - Paradise ft Holly Starr (Malachi Corliss Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Planetboom - Unshakable 5 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - So Good (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Project Aegis - And The Rest Is Mystery 5 Emeralds
• Reclaimers - Misnomer 5 Emeralds
• Seth and Nirva Ready - Mercy 5 Emeralds
• RED - All For You 5 Emeralds
• Richlin - Royal Blood 5 Emeralds
• Salt of The Sound - Lift My Eyes (w/Simon Wester) 5 Emeralds
• Chris Sligh - Beyond Our Wildest Dreams 5 Emeralds
• Ryan Stevenson - Amadeo (Still My God) 5 Emeralds
• Switch - Count Me In 5 Emeralds
• Cade Thompson - Provider 5 Emeralds
• Transform - Tongues of Angels 5 Emeralds
• Micah Tyler - Welcome To The Family 5 Emeralds
• Zach Williams - Empty grave 5 Emeralds
• Zauntee - Go Off 5 Emeralds

A few comments here, though not on quality. You can't mess with perfection. Eversmith was known in 2019 as Embassy, so make a note of that. And Ginny Owens and Mega-group Project Aegis (featuring LEAH McHenry and Theocracy's Matt Smith with an all star cast) would appreciate a purchase of their songs. They are raising Money to Fight Human Trafficking (Ginny Owens) and Legacy Music (Aegis) which provides Music instruction and instruments to children and teens from difficult backrounds. And one more thing: Sean Feucht is pronounced Foyt. Now to the music in the middle.

Semi-Precious Metal

• All Things New - Not By Might 4.75 Emeralds
• Tina Boonstra - Out of My Depth 4.75 Emeralds.
• Lincoln Brewster - Who Am I 4.75 Emeralds
• Bright City - Change (live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Landry Cantrell - Remember Every Moment (REM) 4.75 Emeralds
• The Cashmans - Burn 4.75 Emeralds
• Alvin Cedric - Friend 4.75 Emeralds
• Alvin Cedric - Higher 4.75 Emeralds
• Riley Clemmons - Over and Over 4.75 Emeralds
• Covenant Worship - Speak 4.75 Emeralds
• Crowder - I'm Leanin On You (ft Riley Clemmons) 4.75 Emeralds
• Samuel Day - Spotlight 4.75 Emeralds
• Daniel Doss - Eternal Immortal Invincible 4.75 Emeralds
• Datin - Move! ft Canon and Marty 4.50 Emeralds
• Eversmith - Epic 4.75 Emeralds
• Eversmith - Love, Grace Mercy 4.75 Emeralds
• Eversmith - Never Be Anxious 4.75 Emeralds
• Eversmith - Press On 4.75 Emeralds
• Eversmith - We Are The Stars 4.75 Emeralds
• Jason Fowler - Freedom 4.75 Emeralds
• Hillsong Young and Free - Best Friends 4.75 Emeralds
• Hurtis Hoppie - Sometimes ft Jon Keith 4.75 Emeralds
• Jesus Culture - Still In Control ft Mack Brock 4.75 Emeralds
• Jordan and Jessa - All That is Needed 4.75 Emerald
• Phil King - Our great God (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Phil King - Song of Redemption 4.75 Emeralds
• Greg La Follette - Blessed Be The Name (Nathan Johnson Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Greg La Follette - Doxology ft Mission House 4.75 Emeralds
• Rachael Lampa - Hold You In My Arms 4.75 Emeralds
• Land of Color - Running 4.50 Emeralds
• Life Center Worship - Spirit of Revival 4.75 Emeralds
• Mercy Me - Almost Home ft Jeremy Camp (Movie Version) 4.75 Emeralds
• Nashville Life Music - Claim It All (ft Taylor Browning) 4.50 Emeralds
• Rachael Nemiroff - God Only Knows (For King and Country Cover) 4.75 Emeralds
• North Point Worship - Nothing Else Matters 4.75 Emeralds
• Natasha Owens - Treasure 4.75 Emeralds
• Dave Pettigrew - Me (Acoustic) 4.75 Emeralds
• Mike Rathke - O Lord You're Beautiful (Keith Green Cover) 4.75 Emeralds
• Red Letter Society - One Purpose (Into Light Project) 4.75 Emeralds
• Roy3ls - Quality Lady 4.75 Emeralds
• Social Beingz - Don't Stop 4.75 Emeralds
• Mark Tedder - Stay 4.75 Emeralds
• Terrian - Let Love Lead 4.75 Emeralds
• John Tibbs - Runaway 4.75 Emeralds
• David Vaters - Flying 4.50 Emeralds
• Vineyard Worship - God of Rest (Dios Del Descanso) 4.75 Emeralds
• John Wiebe - Brave 4.75 Emeralds

That does it for February, and it's not even halfway through March. Things are pointing up. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: Album Edition - February 2020

A moment to be proud of. It's march 2nd, the final release day of February was the 28th and the album edition at least is in the books. Splitting the Song and Album releases has paid off. Let's get to the results. We begin with the albums which do not make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• David and Nicole Binion - Glory of Eden (Live) 4.25 Emeralds
• Emcee N.I.C.E. - Iron Dove (The Prequel) 4.25 Emeralds

Only two MTM this month. On to the perfect.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• The Classic Crime - Patterns in the Static 5 Emeralds
• Todd Dulaney - Back To The Book EP 5 Emeralds
• Elevation Youth - Technicolour 5 Emeralds
• Fight The Fade - In Love In Hope In Peace 5 Emeralds
• Hulvey - BRKNHRT EP 5 Emeralds
• In Salvation - Exodus 5 Emeralds
• Jordan and Jessa - Glorious 5 Emeralds
• Judah Band - HUSH The EP 5 Emeralds
• Elle Limebear - Lost In Wonder 5 Emeralds
• Mandisa - Overcomer: Greatest Hits 5 Emeralds
• Random Hero - Tension Acoustic EP 5 Emeralds
• Saint Esprit - Speak To Me EP 5 Emeralds
• Switch - Symphony 5 Emeralds
• 3Force - Divide and Collide Instrumentals 5 Emeralds
• JJ Weeks - The Sound of Freedom EP 5 Emeralds
• Matthew West - Brand New 5 Emeralds

16-2 in favor of the Perfect. Deserved, but maybe a little push for Valentines. The most, though, is in the middle.

Semi-Precious Metal

• Avalon - Called 4.75 Emeralds
• Paul Baloche - Behold Him 4.50 Emeralds
• Jeremy Camp - I Still Believe: Greatest Hits 4.75 Emeralds
• Larry Clark and Twinkie Clark - The Generations 4.75 Emeralds
• Junior Garr - The Garden EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Keith and Kristyn Getty - Sing! The Life of Christ Quintology: Passion EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Rob Graves - Solstice 4.75 Emeralds
• Ellie Holcomb - Sing: Remembering Songs EP 4.75 Emeralds
• John Mark McMillan - Peopled With Dreams 4.50 Emeralds
• Tyson Mostenbocker - Someday I'll Make It All Up To You 4.75 Emeralds
• Leigh Nash - Get Happy 4.75 Emeralds
• New Song - Just Jesus 4.75 Emeralds
• Ovation Worship -Live EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Justin Rizzo - Shapeshifter 4.75 Emeralds
• SEU Worship - Eden to Eternity EP 4.75 Emeralds
• John Schlitt - Go 4.75 Emeralds
• Shane and Shane - Hymns in The Round 4.75 Emeralds
• Shane and Shane - The Worship Initiative, Volume 19 4.75 Emeralds
• Andrew Stanton - Dive Bomb 4.75 Emeralds
• Harper Still - Show Love: Songs For Our Children 4.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Simple Hymns: Songs of Easter 4.50 Emeralds

That does it for February. I guess leap year works wonders. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.