A “Shenandoah Christmas”
At the time of this writing (about one week out from Thanksgiving), I have been working diligently behind-the-scenes preparing our Christmas programming. This is a special time for WBTX, as we get to present what is undoubtedly one of the best selections of Christmas music you’ll find anywhere. For this month’s Gospel Vault article, I’d like to share with you just what exactly makes this collection so unique.
Although WBTX prides itself in being a locally programmed southern gospel station, it is no secret that, in its early years, WBTX was not a decidedly southern gospel station. Signing on in 1972, the station carried a ‘dual format’ of easy listening and inspirational music until the early 1980s. At that point, the easy listening music was dropped entirely, and the inspirational format transitioned into a more ‘southern gospel’ style by the late 1980s.
Our Christmas programming, which we brand as a “Shenandoah Christmas”, largely takes its cue from the early days of WBTX. We have discussed before that, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, southern gospel Christmas recordings were few and far between. It was difficult for groups to justify the expense of a recording they would only be able to market one or two months out of the year. So, when December rolled around, stations that were carrying a southern gospel format had to broaden their ‘musical horizons’, so to say, in order to round out their programming.
WBTX was no different. One of the memos that we have on file, circa 1989, states, “During December, we go from being a Southern Gospel radio station to a Christmas music radio station. […] What we are using to classify our songs now is primarily by the lyric.” Our library of Christmas LPs included Jim Reeves, the Henry Mancini Orchestra, Percy Faith, Andy Williams, and even Bing Crosby, just to name a few.
Before going any further, let me assure you that southern gospel music makes up the majority of our Christmas programming, serving as its ‘core’. But, we still like to ‘branch out’ just a bit during this Christmas season, mixing in classic country and older Contemporary Christian selections. (Or, as I like to say, we play the country Christmas music that most country stations neglect, and we play the older Contemporary Christian Christmas songs that most – if not all – Contemporary Christian stations neglect).
So, what exactly are you going to hear should you tune in to WBTX this December? Well, you’ll notice immediately that 75% of our programming is southern gospel Christmas music. In fact, this year we’ve added new recordings from the Guardians, the Mylon Hayes Family, and Lauren Talley, just to name a few. But we also have an enormous archive of music, which means you’ll also hear classic Christmas recordings by groups like the Hinsons, the Cathedrals, Gold City, the Spencers, and the Bill Gaither Trio.
Yes, there are other southern gospel stations and networks that adopt a full Christmas format during the month of December, but very few seem to venture back into the 1980s and 1990s, overlooking many of these timeless recordings.
What’s more, we mix in classic country selections from artists like Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Barbara Mandrell, the Forester Sisters, Kenny Rogers, and the Statler Brothers – all lyrically-strong and all reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas. We also have quite the assortment of classic Contemporary Christmas favorites from 4Him, Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Wayne Watson, Twila Paris, and Michael W. Smith, just to name a few.
Sunday mornings during the month of December are particularly my favorite, as the music transitions to a more ‘sacred’ or ‘inspirational’ style. This is the time to hear selections by Evie, the Back To The Bible Quartet, the Bill Gaither Trio, and the Lanny Wolfe Trio.
Also, unlike other stations, the Christmas music does not stop on December 26. You’ll continue to hear Christmas selections through Sunday, January 5.
We continually receive positive comments regarding our Christmas programming. Perhaps you or someone you know is not a regular listener of WBTX. The month of December is a great time to tune in and enjoy the most unique assortment of Christmas selections you’ll find anywhere. You may tune in at 1470 AM (but, be advised, the AM signal is turned off at sunset, as per FCC regulations), 102.1 FM (full stereo, 24/7), or online at wbtxradio.com.
