Okay, I’m pretty sure I’ve got a decent grasp on pop culture, modern theology and the media that saturates our lives every day. Studying communications is all about looking at the message as well as the medium planted by media creators. To this day, messages are portrayed to the world, with both positive and negative content. I’m asking the question, “What can we do to contribute to our culture?” First and foremost, I’m a follower of Jesus Christ and his teachings. Sometimes, I have difficulty affirming such a title, and I’ll explain why in a little bit. First, let’s talk about the philosophy that I’d want to guide my career in radio and music and how that aligns with my theological perspective (worldview).
Radio is my love. It’s what I want to do with my life. Some say radio is a dying medium. It freely broadcasts signals through the air, saturating our atmosphere with music, news, commercials, and anything else that makes noise. It’s there especially when we cannot see it. It permeates our bodies until it reaches an antenna tuner in the millions of cars or stereos that exist in this country alone. If radio is dying, then I don’t want to be alive. Morbid? Yes. Poignant? Maybe.
Let me address music real quick! It’s probably the main reason the majority of listeners tune in. Where is the music of today? Unfortunately, the art of music has been handled over the years and taken over by commercialism. When business people find out what sells, they then take advantage of the market and commercial produce “music” that is tweaked to have everything that they’ve discovered is favorable in a song. Throw in a sexually appealing singer, and the record companies have a recipe for big bucks. No art necessary. Once this started happening in the last fifty years, the true art of expression by sound, which we call music has evolved into pop-trash generated by robots, having no heart and soul. Especially prevalent in pop or hip-hop, this trend has affected the most popular music in genres of all types, from country to punk rock. What you hear on the radio is chosen because it was programmed to attract the highest number of listeners, which in turn, rakes in money from business who are offered spaces to commercialize in advertising to that high number of listeners. It seems like a difficult web of business to look at, but the outcome is simple enough: Money controls music.
Of course, a hasty generalization would leave out the fact that there is such a thing as good corporate music, in which some record companies recognize true talent and art, and it will invariably pay. Also, there is always room in this world for independent artists, who are driven by their creative art, and whatever minute following exists, they are devoted to the support of independent art.
What are the chances of music from a “Christian” artist passing through the machine of what makes everyone happy? For the most part, they’re not highly considered. However, a few breakout artists are growing rapidly in popularity because of the quality of their art without compromising their message. It’s much harder to do, but I truly believe that artists like Jon Foreman (Switchfoot) or The Fray, coming from Christian backgrounds, are taking steps in the right direction. The key is writing music that does not preach at people, but utilizes positive lyrics that make you think or encourage anybody despite their worldview. It is exactly the same idea that I have spent years learning in school: effectively reaching an audience means you will have to speak in a way that resonates with them, because preaching is little more than a light switch setting to “off” for audience’s ears and minds. It takes a process of leveling with people where they are at, and in a way that they understand. This means that as a radio man, I want to be aware and knowledgeable about the music that plays on the air and the artists and companies involved. It is important to know where lyrics and music come from, and how the artists live their lives. If I can relate to a person based on an interaction involving a band like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, I can make so much more progress than if I merely suggest a Christian alternative to a secular evil. Lyrics and music are meant to be enjoyed and discussed among people. Would I refuse to play a band on the radio because the lyrics don’t talk about how great Christianity is? That is a ridiculous notion that is not far off from what is commonly agreed upon by Christian corporations, or even our parents and pastors?
I’m fleshing out a lot more, so stay tuned. I’m interested to know how you feel about my ideas? Let’s rap.
