T
he sound is just as passionate and visceral, loud and fun as country music gets on radio stations across the country but managers at WQXDFM seek a spiritual backbeat to move listeners’ souls, not just their feet. Stealth salvation? “In essence that’s what we’re doing,” granted founder Rev. James Henderson, “We’re sneaking the Gospel message in. Absolutely.” Billing itself as “God’s Country,” the Athens based station aims its limited power transmission at Madison. “We want to be Madison’s hometown radio station,” Henderson said. The station is a project of Henderson’s Emmanuel Ministries, and avoids the
30 Madison Living
“In essence that’s what we’re doing. We’re sneaking the Gospel message in. Absolutely.” — Rev. James Henderson “Gospel” label, instead embracing an inspirational “positive country” format. A visit on the dial treats listeners to the likes of Travis Tritt’s “It’s a Great Day to be Alive.” The overtly Christian message of Martina McBride’s “Reluctant Daughter”
could be followed by Taylor Swift’s rendition of the nondenominational but decidedly star-spangled “American Girl,” “We’re very selective,” said Henderson. “Frankly we leave out the whoring, the drinking and the excuses for divorce and we stick to positive family values. But virtually all of the big name artists do music like that. What they’ll hear are the big names in country music.” Now in its 8th year on the air, the station is a venture that developed almost by happenstance or, as Henderson prefers to see it, divine assistance. “It did come to us in a miraculous way,” said Henderson, recalling that his foray into radio was a product of serendipity, extraordinary timing …and someone else’s passion. In 2004,