LEE LANCASTER LEE LANCASTER LEE LANCASTER

Lee’s aspirations to be in broadcasting started er brother (Jeff Davis – WLS Chicago). As a long-haired R , 1977. From the beginning, he felt there was something missing, “When God called me to Christian Radio in 1984, I knew He had a better plan for me that I could ever have for myself” shared Lancaster.

He’s spent the last 40 plus years using his gift and drive for the Lord, expressing the hope and power of Jesus Christ. Lee has served radio stations as Program Director, Operations Director, and General Manager. Currently serving as President/General Manager of Legacy Broadcasting and hosting the morning show on Today’s Christian Country. Legacy Broadcasting Inc. started the “Today’s Christian Country” format about 11 years ago on the terrestrial station KYMS 89.9 FM in (Spokane, WA DMA). All worked well, about 3 years ago, WUCG 93.1 reached out about sharing the format on their station which led to the purchase of Legacy’s second station in Dahlonega, Ga – WCDG 88.7 FM. Early 2022, Town Square Media reached out with an opportunity to add KHKM 98.7 FM, a 100,000-watt radio station in Missoula, MT. Now, Today’s Christian Country is on 4 radio stations, in the process of building two more radio stations and continuously looking for expansion opportunities.

“For those who aren’t familiar,” Lee explains, “with the differences between Christian Country and Southern Gospel” – “it’s Everything!” With over 40 years of history in mind, Lancaster is proud of Southern Gospel with its long list of great artists, it just isn’t Christian Country Music. In fact, Today’s Christian Country format includes many of the same artists as your local country radio station. The faithbased cuts from mainstream country artists like George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Cody Johnson and more are mixed with the great pool of Christian Country artist like Scott Mac Brown, Delnora, Olivia Lane, Barry Lee White, Zach Ray and many more. When you put that all together with exceptional DJ talent, you have the format that makes Lee very proud. “To be honest,” said Lee “I would put this radio format up against any country radio station in America.” It has been a hard-fought battle for the Christian Country radio stations, Lee was asked back in the mid 90’s to do a Christian Country countdown – finding the talent to match the mainstream counterparts was nearly impossible, not enough to maintain a chart. Today, organizations like Inspirational Country Music Association (ICMA) and American Christian Country Music Association (ACCMA) are supporting/promoting the genre and artists. The countdown chart issue disappeared with radio stations all over America catching up with the popularity of Christian Country music resulting in recognized charts like the Power Source Magazine Christian Country Top 40, Cashbox Christian Country 100, ACCMA Christian Country Top 40 and more.

“Today, you can see the popularity and growth on the charts,” said Lee, “You have Mainstream and Christian Country artists doing duets and so much more together.” The future is limitless with talents like Lee Lancaster supporting, promoting, and purposed to grow the genre. Lee can be reached at lee@legacybroadcasting.org

As a musician, it’s hard to put into words the impact that certain musicians can bring to bear Growing up I listened to Gospel musicians, Country musicians and Bluegrass musicians that were a great influence on developing my tastes and musical style

As I grew into playing the piano there were styles that really piqued my interest. Early on the Gospel quartet piano men who captured my attention were Jackie Marshall, Howie Lister, Wally Varner and others. As I began to love the country sound, I paid particular attention to Tommy Fairchild of the Oak Ridge Boys because he played very similar to the great Floyd Cramer Cramer’s playing style was the first country style piano that tripped my trigger I began to learn the slip note style and soon learned to play Last Date.

I don’t remember the first record I heard Hargus “Pig” Robbins play on, but when I heard it, I was hooked! Pig took country style piano playing to a whole new level I had never heard anything like it His two handed “flop alternates” technique was different and so cool I became a student of his playing from then on

There has been much said about anointing. Many believe that spiritual anointing is only applicable to music that is Christian in nature I beg to differ There is an anointing from God that rests on anything good There is an anointing on good secular music It’s a spirit connection When Pig plays the piano, I always feel something from it It speaks to my soul It touches me down deep like nothing else can It really doesn’t matter what the song is When Pig gets down in the mid-range of the piano on a country ballad, the creative, tasty licks he plays are food for my soul.

I didn’t know Pig Robbins as well as many of my Nashville friends, but I’m so blessed that I did get to know him and spend some time with him He was on a few White River sessions, and I got to use him on a couple projects I produced in Nashville I went to lunch a couple of times with Pig and my late friend Bobby All Those experiences were a dream come true for me, just to get to hang with my hero for a little while. Pig autographed a picture of he and I together, probably only one of four or five people who had his autograph. As a blind man it was fascinating to watch him sign his name. What a treasure!

Pig left a huge body of work He played on more Country hits than any other piano player in history He played many iconic intros and fills on some of the biggest hit records ever recorded in Nashville Behind Closed Doors is one of the most famous intros he ever did. The famous lick he played on David Houston’s, Almost Persuaded, will never be forgotten. However, the work he did on George Jones’ album, Cold Hard Truth, is my favorite of all his work. I can’t listen to that record all the way through without crying If you haven’t heard it, you must listen The fills and intros on that record are stunning and truly inspiring Absolutely anointed

When Hargus “Pig” Robbins passed away, I was heartbroken but blessed beyond measure to have known him, and to have been influenced by his God given talent. Thank you Lord, for exposing me to this man’s talent and personality. I know I’ll never be able to play just like him, but I’ll keep trying

Cogitate on this Gene Reasoner