This is an interesting article that mentions Randy.
http://mykindofcountry.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/missing-from-radio/

Missing from radio?
Posted on April 24, 2009 by J.R. Journey
A comment made by Kevin at Country Universe got me to thinking more about the minuscule playlists of today’s country radio stations. Satellite radio almost seemed like a savior for the format at one point, but since that idea didn’t really catch on with the mainstream even enough to affect the Top 40, hope for the classic country stations that popped up on subscriber radio has since been lost. It’s always been beyond me why so many radio stations have consistently-shrinking playlists.

Every station (even the one in your town) will have a list (albeit undersized) of recurrents from the past 15-20 years they still play regularly. But this list is usually limited to artists who are still making waves or are favorites of the program director for that station. Much has been said about the small playlists at radio - across all genres. And the consensus always seems to be the same: the listeners want a wider variety. So why aren’t program directors and music consultants listening? And why can’t we hear hits from the 1950s and 60s mixed in with today’s hits?

The first question is the hardest to answer. Radio is obviously a business and their goal is to acquire - and keep - as many listeners as possible. More listeners mean the commercials are worth more money. So it’s understandable that radio chooses to play it safe. However, there are several downsides to this, not the least of which being the shrinking playlists. But this play-it-safe approach also makes it harder for new artists to break through and for veteran artists to take many risks. A good example of this is Alan Jackson’s Like Red On A Rose album. Jackson has been a radio staple since his debut album, but the two singles released performed poorly, with neither reaching the top spot at radio, and a third single not being released. As a result the album became Alan’s first not to reach platinum status.

Now, even though some stations still play selected classic country songs, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a station playing anything recorded before 1980. I think the main reason for this is that the sounds of country music have evolved so much over the past 3 decades that there’s a huge schism between classic and contemporary. The classics that do hold up alongside today’s hits don’t sound as vastly different from their contemporary counterparts. Those that do are relegated to the classic stations.

On one hand, you have artists like Randy Travis and Dolly Parton, both of whom delivered excellent albums last year and both had songs as good or better than the current Top 40. Neither Travis or Parton were able to score a significant radio hit from their latest releases. Then we have artists like Tanya Tucker and Hank Williams Jr. whose hit-making days are also past and aren’t releasing singles to radio with the consistency they used to. Still, Tanya and Bocephus made the kind of records that stand the test of time. Their music should still be played today alongside the latest hits.

What artists do you think should still be played on the radio that are being ignored right now? And why do you think their music stand the test of time?

Response to “Missing from radio?”
Razor X, on April 24th, 2009 at 11:10 pm Said:
You’ve opened a Pandora’s box with this one. I think part of the problem, aside from the consolidation of radio stations into the hands of a few conglomerates, is program directors that migrated from other formats and don’t know or care much about the history of country music. When I still listened to mainstream country radio, I found that I routinely knew more about country music than the DJs did. They were totally unaware of anything that came out prior to 1984.

It’s regrettable that artists like Dolly, Randy and others can’t get a fair shake at country radio these days. If I had my way, they’d still be on the airwaves. However, it is inevitable that everyone’s radio career will come to an end one day, even though we may not like it. What’s more regrettable is that there’s a treasure trove of older music that can’t be heard on mainstream radio anymore. When I started listening to country radio in 1980, older songs from the 70s and even the 60s would still get played alongside the newer stuff. I would never have gotten to hear a lot of the old Conway & Loretta, George & Tammy, Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings songs if things were done the way they are now. Artists like Loretta and Tammy were coming to the end of their chart reins by the early 80s. I would never have had the chance to become a fan if radio hadn’t still played their older hits.

" is program directors that migrated from other formats and don’t know or care much about the history of country music" . Or the artists who record it.

That has been my feeling/belief on why Randy, and other artists who represent real country music can't get air play. Unless you find an artist that you can really enjoy (such as Randy) or grew up listening to country music your not going to connect with it.

Then add the shrinking play lists where you hear the same artist every hour. Singing the same song . So it makes it to the top of the charts.

Very little seems to matter about the QUALITY of the material being made a hit these days. As long as the song has a name attached to it that they deem worthy to be on their play list it will be a hit. Dee

I've said for years what Dee has said about the jocks coming from other formats when they no longer could make it in the rock era because of rap and heavy metal. I agree with the shrining playlist theory as well.

but unfortunately, whether we like it or not, and i've read what i'm about to say as well, the fact each of these people - Alan, Dolly, and Randy have recorded Christian music. It seems often once they do that, they are tagged so as anything they release after that, even if it is a straight away country song, mainstream puts theChristian tag on it. I feel in a way "Dig Two Graves" and "Faith in You" fell to that scenario. Another great song in my opinion on ATB was "From Your Knees" and normally that would have just been a simple reference to the Lord but a home that was broken through cheating. Now given Randy recorded Christian music, it is tagged as Christian.

This may now explain since Alan recorded his first gospel CD, why his latest country one failed to sell. It seems like an artist mixing the two never truly works when it comes back to getting played on radio. Someone once told me that when Randy first started recording; I didn't truly want to believe it but I'm almost having to give in to that theory since it seems three examples exist right here within. Personally, I love both country and country christian but as long as radio tags them separately, the problem of tagging artists may continue.

No matter what the case is, I'll stand by Randy forever and Ever, Amen.

always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

I certainly agree with you Linda where Randy is concerned. Songs on
"Around The Bend' and "Passing Through" that in the passed would be percieved as" life affirming songs" (still perceived as country) are now suddenly seen as purely Christian selections.

So in Randys case , with his having put out as many Gospel albums that he has. Getting the amount of Dove Awards for them, he has, is just confirming to those in mainstream radio's mind ,that he is no longer a traditional country artist. But is now seen as a Christian Country artist.

I'm with you . I love whatever Randy records. Be it gospel or Country.
To me the only difference separating the two is the reference to the Lord and other Christian beliefs, such as faith, steeples etc.

I guess what really bothers me, is how they can broaden the acceptance for other artists ( of other career formats) but can not include Christian Country from among artist who helped make the popularity of country radio what it has become today. Dee

I once heard a dj say, and if I remember right they were specifically talking about Alan Jackson at the time, that once a country artist releases a purely gospel album that it is the "kiss of death" as far as radio is concerned.

How sad is that?

Ronda, but it is wrong! Artists talent, and recording that talent to music is what affords those in radio who choose music as their format, the opportunity to have a job/career. Without these artists they have to find another format to provide for themselves and families. So they are biting the hand that feeds them as the old saying goes by being selective of who they will accept and who they won't. Dee