Since last Wednesday, I've traveled about 1,200 miles, between the concert circuit and personal matters. In those miles, I had the opportunity to listen to eight different Southern Gospel radio stations. Some were AM, some were FM. Depending on where I was, I was able to listen to some stations for a few hours, some for only 30 or 40 minutes.

Despite all of those miles and the songs that I heard, NOT ONCE did I hear the name of an artist or a song. Not a single, solitary time.

If I didn't work in Southern Gospel music, there is no way I would have known every song and/or artist that I heard. In fact, there were a few that I didn't!

Just think how listeners must feel...well, for that short time they listen. Frustrated, most likely, is a word that probably falls short of adequately describing it.

You might wondering why I'm even mentioning this...afterall, I should be thankful that a station is playing our music.

OK, I'll say I'm thankful for that.

BUT how does a fan know what CD to go out and buy?

BUT how does a fan know what song to request? (And while I'm on that subject and this instance, how does a radio station know what to chart each month when the fans don't even know the title of the song they want to call up and request? That's a blog for another day...soon.)

BUT how does a fan know what group is singing? With all the personnel changes that have taken place in our industry, when you hear Harold Reed on the radio (he's just a good example, not picking on him at all), you might be listening to the Dixie Melody Boys, the Florida Boys, the Melodyaires or Squire Parsons & Redeemed. Oh, add the Kingsmen to that list soon.

You can insert a good old fashioned scream right here.

Want to see Southern Gospel radio grow?

Try this novel idea: let the listeners know who they are listening to. Maybe even throw out a song title. Let's practice the definitions of the phrase "front announce" and "back announce."

More later. But would you have known that if I hadn't told you?

On a slightly different note, I wanted to share with you a photo from this past weekend's Suwannee River Jubilee. Should you think that Southern Gospel music doesn't attract audiences anymore, I think these folks in this photo might want to talk to you.