'Under the Radar' Offers Christmas Shows

Given the success of its special Thanksgiving program, Back to God Ministries International Under the Radar audio production is preparing three Christmas programs to offer to stations nationwide – especially to stations that don’t currently run Under the Radar (UTR) programming.

"We marketed the 'UTR Thanksgiving Special' as a free, one-time episode. We had over 225 radio outlets that do not air UTR sign up for the special," says David Trout, host of the one-hour program that highlights some of the best undiscovered and under-appreciated music from Christian artists.

Including UTR's regular affiliates, more than 350 outlets—both radio and Internet aired the Thanksgiving program. Several outlets aired it more than once, so that they had close to 500 airings during that period. The Thanksgiving special focused especially on giving thanks.

"This is very exciting for a low-budget one-year-old little 'engine that could'," says Trout. "This is a great foot in the door to hopefully get more regular affiliates. Some have already committed to airing any Christmas episodes we produce."

In a similar vein to what UTR does each week, the ministry will present three all-Christmas music episodes to be released for listening and downloads at iTunes and at Radar Radio – UTR's website — on December 11,18, and 24.

"We'll present some very creative, artistic, and unique holiday songs from a variety of top-notch but under-appreciated Christian artists," says Trout. 'We'll present a good mix of thoughtful original songs and updated versions of both traditional classics and hymns."

The episodes will offer interviews from artists, including Downhere, Matt Brouwer, Andrew Peterson, Lanae Hale, and more.

"The Dec 18 episode features scripture readings from my six-year-old daughter Grace … Our overall goal is to allow our listeners to be musically reminded of what Christmas is all about - the dawn of redeeming grace, the gift of reconciliation, and the birth of our Savior," says Trout.

Listeners can participate in the programming by suggesting some of the best "hidden gems" in their music collection that the world needs to hear, he says.

"Several stations have already committed to airing Christmas episodes. We may also hear from more stations just calling to say 'I love what you did at Easter/Thanksgiving ... do you have anything in the works for Christmas'?"

Meanwhile, both Trout and UTR's partners at the radio broadcasting corporation Westar will be doing follow up with the more than 200 new stations that responded over Thanksgiving to encourage them to consider adding UTR to their regular schedule. "This is a potential big foot in the door for sure," says Trout.

Trout began his radio career at Wheaton College's WETN in 1994. He then worked four years as an announcer at WCFL 104.7FM out of Morris, IL. for 8 years. Following that, before coming to BTGMI, he was at the Moody Radio Network doing behind-the-scenes work with affiliate radio marketing, and also hosted Moody's nationally syndicated weekly music program "The Worship Spotlight."