Hansen Inexplicably Promoted; Radio Industry Apparently in Final Throes

For most people, "Christian radio" isn't on the radar.  And, for most people who read this blog, "Christian radio" has an approval rating right up there with, say, polio.

But it's what I do, and I'm thankful for that.  I get to annoy, cajole, prod, anger, and -- mostly -- confuse people on a daily basis.  Best of all, I'm talking to a lot of Good Churchgoing Folk, so I get to talk about the Kingdom of God to an unreached people group.

I've also been a mainstream talk radio host, and could compare and contrast the two audiences, and maybe will someday, if you care.  Meantime, let's just say I do love the people who listen to Christian radio.  I know them.  I didn't just grow up with them, I grew up one of them.  They are my people.

MLK said you can't change that which you do not first love, and that works for me, because I love them, and yes, I've got an agenda for them.  I'm not trying to single-handedly "reach out", via mass-media, to a hip, postmod culture.  I'm trying to convince people who claim to be the church to actually be the church.  Trust me, if that happens, you'll think to yourself, what a wonderful world.

Anyway, our show is pretty dang honest.  It's not smooth.  I don't talk with my "radio voice".  It's like the Muppet Show, where you're pretty sure they're trying hard to do a "show", but the intrigue is the fumbling backstage. 

I talk about my struggles with depression, the time I just got busted for stealing (not joking) and my own self-esteem issues and why I find Good Christians so frustrating sometimes.  I'm not the only one doing this in Christian radio, and it's not heroic, but it's something.  Why am I allowed to do this?  I belong to an organization that really wants to accomplish the same things.

I'm not alone on the show.  My producer, Nikki, expertly plays Pam Beasley to my mix of Michael Scott-Dwight Schrute.  We don't do many artist interviews, and our goal, beyond making people consider following Jesus, is to leave people slack-jawed confused.  (Hence, today's "acoustic weather forecast", wherein Nikki delivers the weather, annoyed, over my enthusiastic, live, acoustic guitar folk stylings.)  If we leave half the audience saying, "Wha--?" -- mission accomplished.

So here's the news (this is called "burying the lede" in the biz):  Our show will be syndicated, starting in July, on 50 or so stations.  Technically, we'll be "coast-to-coast", since we're reaching Portland from South Florida, but mostly, it'll be concentrated in the Southeast, in cities like Tallahassee, Louisville, Charleston, and Nashville.

So, in July, listen, if you like.  You may hate it.  You may hate me.  But mark my words:  You WILL hate my accordion.