Get Your Praise On

Like I always said, we need a gospel radio station in this city.

For the last couple years, I talked or should I say complained to other DC area residents about the lack of gospel music play in area radio stations.

WAVA 105.1 plays gospel on a single day on Sunday, while, at other times, 105.1 plays contemporary Christian music. WHUR 96.3 gives air play to gospel on Sunday mornings until from 12 or 2 pm (Sunday Gospel with Patrick Ellis and Jacquie Gales-Webb), when urban contemporary music is the typical music format during the rest of the week.

Also, I read that an area AM radio station plays gospel music everyday: AM 1340 or "Spirit 1340." I will check this station in the near future. I have read at another blog that this station is owned and operated by FM hip-hop station WKYS 93.9.

Actually, has there ever been a full-time 24-hour gospel FM radio station in DC?

Well, there is a new gospel radio station in town. Last month, while exploring the FM radio dial, I heard some great gospel songs on the radio. I thought that I was listening to 105.1. After the music stopped, I hear a commercial for Praise 104.1.

Could I believe my ears?

Finally.

Then a sigh.

A gospel music radio station.

As part of my morning ritual, I listen to 104.1. I'm now a big fan of Yolanda Adams, the morning DJ. Yes, she is the same Yolanda Adams, gospel singer. So, you know she knows the ins-and-outs and the people of the gospel music industry. I can tell you more about the radio station, but you should listen to it.

Well, you might think that I can listen to any gospel radio station if it has a website with streaming audio/video features, or I can listen to an online gospel radio station. Well, although most folks don't believe this, I'm not always on my computer. Most times when I want to listen to music, I'm in my car or traveling. With my current commute, I'm sitting in traffic for long durations.

Gospel music will allow me stay awake while I drive or prevent me from thinking too much about any office commute problems.

While I'm greatly appreciative about the presence of a new radio station, I do have a concern. In the last couple years, 104.1 has changed ownership and musical formats three times.

I hope Praise 104.1 is here to stay. If not, I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

More details about Praise 104.1 can be found on the Wikipedia site. At the time of this posting, the actual radio station website does not have any content. It has a single static page.

I am so glad that I can get my praise on.