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Jay Swartzendruber
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Thursday, April 13, 2006

Eyeing the Christian Radio Charts

Even since the days I first became a fan of Christian music, I've enjoyed finding out which artists were being embraced by Christian radio. Imagine the delight of this Charlie Peacock enthusiast when he saw the artist's "In the Light" claim Christian pop radio's No. 1 spot in early 1992 or the obscure Sixpence None the Richer briefly crack Christian radio's CHR chart a couple years later with "Field of Flowers." Yes, I've always relished the sense of knowing masses of people were being introduced to and then connecting with a fantastic song by a truly great artist. Christian radio has made me proud on so many occasions, and these days America's faith-based music stations are more progressive than ever. (Kutless on the AC pop chart?!? Yeah, baby!)

So how does a Christian music fan keep an eye on the radio airplay charts without shelling out serious buckage each month? I'm glad you asked... Many fans don't realize you can check the weekly airplay charts online free of charge. While Radio and Records (aka R&R) posts all 4 of their Christian airplay charts online, Billboard offers free access to 2 of their Christian radio charts.

The 4 charts Radio and Records tracks are: "Christian Rock," "Christian CHR," "Christian AC" and "Christian Inspo." (By the way "CHR" is an abbreviation for both "Contemporary Hit Radio" and "Christian Hit Radio," depending on the format/tracker.) Radio and Records charts the Top 30 in each of these 4 formats. (And they also offer additional information about songs on the verge of charting.)

To check out these 4 charts, simply click on the link below, choose the chart you want and then click "View Entire Chart":

http://www.radioandrecords.com/Formats/Christian.asp

Billboard, meanwhile, offers a "Hot Christian Songs" chart and a "Hot Christian Adult Contemporary" chart. To view the Top 25 of these charts, click on the link below and then click on the actual chart's name:

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/christian_gospel_index.jsp

You'll notice that some of Billboard's other Christian charts are "locked" so only subscribers can access them. Either way, there's plenty of info to be consumed and enjoyed to its fullest by all chart geeks such as myself.

Have fun!

-Jay
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