THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN RADIO ISSUE 2082 NOVEMBER 24 1995 This Week For some of us, the notion of Christian music, at least on a commercial level, dates back to Amy Grant. On the rock side, there was Stryper. And we knew that many secular artists were given to writ- ing and singing songs with religious themes, among them Bob Dylan, U2, Ricky VanShelton, Marvin Gaye, and maiy others. We recall historic moments, like the skyrocketing of "Oh Happy Day" by the Northern California State Youth Choir (a.k.a. the Walter Hawkins Singers) in 1969 by way of free -form FM rock radio. A number of us heard spiri- tual songs from icons of rock and coun- try like Hank Williams, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Elvis Presley. But those were instances. These days, we're talking industry. Chistian music is big business, on records and radio, across vari- ous formats and genres, including rap, urban, and metal. For GAVIN'S first long look into this music, Kent and Keith Zimmerman, with tie assistance of Lisa Smith and with special reports from Quincy McCoy, Rob Fiend and Spence D., survey the wide-ranging Christian land - scape and j. stars like Kathy Troccoli (top) of Reunion Records. Says the label's market- ing director Ben Howard: "Cmistian radio is definitely maturing, and we're finding more of an openness from mainstream pop radio." In News, Time Warner stuns the biz by ousting Michael Fuchs (middle), while MCA me Intervention rep aces Al Teller with Doug Mots (bottom). And the record biz gets more competition from Scny, Visa, and Intouch. We're in touch so you're in touch. Oh, never mind. "Anywhere Is" from the new album: The Memory Of Trees Produced by Nicky Ryan Management: Aigle Music El 0 1995 Reprise Records VISIT THE WEB SITE- http:/ /www.RepriseRec.com/Enya First Person As TOLD To '20/20' Inside 5 News 9 That's Sho-Biz 9 Friends of Radio Michael W Smith Howard Stem 10 Classifieds 25 Life Since Amy On Doing the Lord's Work GAVIN takes a look at the sta- tus of Christian music and With a new book (Miss America/ Stossel: (Some) people despise you. radio in the wake of Amy out, it's Howie Doody time. Howard (Seemingly hurt:) Oh, really...I Grant's. What musical trends Stern, whose WXRK-Netv York -based feel, my feeling is, when you do will lead the genre forward.? show reaches some 5 million listen- what I do, you know, you're not ers in 23 markets every morning; going to have all friends. The stuff I Ancl will secualr audiences whose first book, Private Parts, do is sometimes really rough. respond? smashed publishing records; whose (Video: Stern and three young FORMATS pay per -lieu. .New 1Car's Eve show black men play "Black Jeopardy) 11 Top 40 Mc llayoral grossed S2- million; whose employ- What I do is out there. But I Campaign er. infinity. settled a pile of indecen- know it kicks ass when I get on that 12 Top 40 Profile: el. fines from the FCC by agreeing to radio and it makes people laugh. Groove Theory send $1.7 million to the U.S. Stossel: Doesn't a skit like "Black 13 Go Chart Treasury-is out there, in more ways Jeopardy" encourage racists to be 14 Urban Landzscape than one. Recently. he was on ABC - more racist? Urban On-line/lark the Harold, TV's 20/20, with reporter John I didn't see that as racist at all. Austin sings Stossel. We're so uptight about race. I grew 17 RapFor God They Bust This was my plan since I was Howard Stem up in a black neighborhood; every- body talked about race. What you 20 CollegeThe Adelpbi Incident, five years old. I wanted to adolescence. When guys sit around, Part II hear a real type of radio. it's very tribal. It makes men laugh. saw on "Black Jeopardy" was going 23 Alternative: 0/charted Everybody was milquetoast; every- I'm not saying that's the most intel- on in the school. I don't feel I'm a body was middle of the road; every- lectual form of comedy. It's proba- racist. I don't have those feelings Territory body didn't want to offend every- bly the basest, most crude form of toward people. 31 Gavin RocksT -Day body else. It was boring; it was dull. comedy there is, and yet there's There is an aspect of my show 32 Rock Profile:Crown of Thorns I wanted to he on radio and do a something, a joy in talking about it. that is very cruel, and the people 33 Gavin AmericanaTM New York stream -of -consciousness radio (Video: Scantily -clad women visi- who come onto my show all have Music -Go -Round the understanding of what I do. show. And whenever I feel I'm cen- tors to the studio, flashing for Stern 34 CountryChristmas Time's A- (Stossel goes on the air. He refuses soring myself-whenever I feel I'm and cameras from E! TV. On the Comin' to talk about his wife orfamily.) hiding something, I go ahead and street, Stern chats with fans.) Country Profile:Garth Brooks blurt it out, because truth really We have an incredibly upscale When you or any guest says to me, "I can't talk about my personal 37 A3 Album Adult Alternative does set you free. audience. People are blown out by The /1.3 Einstein I guarantee you, what I'm doing who listens to this show. life"-when you get crazy like that, 40 Adult Contemporary is the Lord's work. I am absolutely The FCC is five old coots; face- it's great. You looked like a deer making people laugh at the most less, nameless bureaucrats, and caught in the headlights. And I Inside A/C:Beatles Favorites, miserable part of their life: that's the somebody said, "Ooh, what's a loved having that power over you, Part II morning commute. That's more glamorous issue? Let's go after this because I never had that kind of 43 A2 Adult Alternative important work than so-called Howard Stern..." So what did I say? power over anyone. On Z CornerThe New World important journalism, all that other I used the word "penis;" I used the (In the studio, he jokes about Order Stossel's stuttering. Says Stossel: stuff, because that's what affects word "vagina." Ricki Lake uses the 44 Jazz people's lives. word "penis." Oprah, Phil "People don't like it when you make (Video: Stern and Robin Quivers Donahue...It's selective enforce- fun of us." Stern responds:) NEXT WEEK and crew chatting, accompanied by ment...It's OK to say "penis" and I know. It's the only thing I can You Leave Us No SFX of burps and flatulence.) "vagina" as long as you have a sex do. I'm not that talented. I have to Alternative I call it 50,000 watts of fifth -grade expert on the set...That's not the belittle others in order to make a But we'll leave you with the fun. Maybe I'm caught in terminal First Amendment. living. MN latest word on the most CAVIN NEC unlikely Alternatux hits of -_- 1/1. '95, on shifts in Alternative Bus mint ,1sir k - First Words is radio, on the Rentals, and more. The Tolkoff Corps is on It was sheer coincidence that we ended our First Words last ture was just a few years ago-that's how the move. week with a comment from Al Teller, former chief of the MCA uncertain it is today. Music Entertainment Group, regarding increased competition And why all this tumult? In this, the Al TT for the industry. "We'll all be forced to play our game much age of mergers, the reasons range from BBu MYtislr Ls 111e - . better," we recalled him saying last year. "If we don't, we're bottom -line realities to sheer whim and Founded by Bill Gavin -1958 history." ego, and often have little to do with The day after we went to press, Teller himself was history- performance. The news of execs getting axed often leaves GAVIN is published SU weeks a yeas en Friday of each week. Subscription }tars $325 for 50 issues or S180 at least at MCA. With his keen mind, his mastery of technolo- people wondering, "Why'd that happen?" for 25 issues. Subscription and circufetion inquiries: gy, and his broad, international vision, he's bound to land pret- Given the special focus of this issue, the best answer may (4 IS) 495-1990. All rights to any or ail of the contents t1 this publication are reserved. Marrials may not be ty much wherever he wants to. simply be: God only knows. reproduced in any form without the publisher's But what's the lesson from the latest round of music indus- ocr-nission. try chairs, in which the seemingly least likely players are left t0,93 GAVIN. Miller Freeman Enlerlainment Group Svc, md Street, Si..n Francisco without a seat? it nniu 9i105. ; It is that, as set and certain as the industry's power struc- Ben Fong -Torres, Managing Editor mg, Miller Freeman A United News & Media company \ \ NOVEMBER2 4 ,1995 Ltd. THE Kolla.le 0 1995EMI Records thealbum and Paul Q. from Edge Mixedby Seen Slade Hufford & Bryce nextsingle Management: Chris the by Courtyard Warrer Managed dlohem w th Jim Produced by Ft hto://hollywoodandvine.com World WideWeb: "I've never seen the music industry in a greater state of flux than right now." -Al Teller MIN NEWS See Below Teller Out at MCA;Another Shakeup at Doug Morris is InWarners:Fuchs Out haveLevin'sfullsupport.