The Story Behind ZIONFM

A NEW BREED OF CHRISTIAN HIT MUSIC... BE MOVED.

ZIONFM has been years in the making for founder Jeremiah St. James since 2005. Jeremiah and his team of producers, air talent, engineers, designers and volunteers have labored countless hours at our StudioCenter to develop what you now know, see and hear as ZIONFM.

The idea to launch a new type of Christian station came when the team realized that there were not many other stations out there willing to go to the edge and spotlight new, hip and relevant music in the Christian music industry. We believe that faith-based media can be, and should be, just as powerful as our secular counterparts. This is the mission of our station, staff and supporters; to become a power house with modern and relevant Christian media and entertainment. It’s our goal to provide a positive alternative to secular media for young and old alike across the country and around the world!

Christian music has come a long way the last few years. We know this is the time to launch our station and online community. We’re excited to see where God will take our station, the Christian music industry and all our friends in the near future!

If you are a fan of the new ZIONFM, please let us know! We need your feedback. Also, don’t forget to add us on Facebook and share us with your friends and family!

What is a Christian CHR Radio and why is it important?

CHR stands for Contemporary Hit Radio and is typically associated with radio programming that focuses on Top 40 hits. A CHR station plays all of the hottest chart toppers in popular music. It is also one of the most popular radio formats for both listeners and advertisers. CHR stations are said to be modern, energetic, fun and attractive to the majority of the radio audience.

Other major radio formats include Adult Contemporary, Rock, Country, Urban (hip-hop), talk, oldies and classic rock. The vast majority (99%) of current Christian stations are categorized as talk radio (preaching sermons & commentary all day) or Adult Contemporary (soft and gentle music). That’s not us :) We are proud to spotlight the best in modern hit music!

What makes ZIONFM stand out from other major Christian radio stations?

To date, there are NO Faith-based broadcasting companies producing CHR or Top 40 radio like our station. ZIONFM is a frontrunner in applying proven programming principals that are hugely successful on the secular side and applying these practices to a culturally relevant, modern, hip and fun Faith-based format. We have the same sound, energy, production quality, imaging and design as the nations leading secular CHR stations. We like to say ZIONFM is all of the fun of secular Top 40 radio without all of the filth! We pride ourselves in producing great radio that today’s modern music fan will be proud to tune into, but does not have to worry about the artists, songs or personalities on the air as we research every artist and song intensely based on solid Christian fundamentals.

Is ZIONFM music style all that different from other Christian Stations?

Because ZIONFM is managed by the very producers that work the station, we have the freedom and privilege of playing anything we like and feel fits the overall sound, energy and attitude of your station. We are one of the ONLY radio stations (of all FM, AM, Satellite & Online) that currently rotate music from all of the major genres: Pop, Rock, AC, Hip-Hop, Alternative, Dance & Independent. We also accept submissions from local and new artists who are just getting started.

Does ZIONFM play local or new, independent artists?

Yes. We love new, unique and hip music! To be honest, only 10% of the submissions sent in from unsigned artists actually make the airwaves. This is not to be difficult, but rather because of production quality. We require submissions to be recorded and produced in professional recording studios as anything less is just not going to translate well on the radio. If you do have a single that you believe fits our format and has been professionally recorded and mixed, we would love to hear your stuff! Click here for more information on submissions to ZION Media Group, Inc.

Is ZIONFM affiliated with a specific church or religion?

Although we are a Faith-based company and staff, we are not associated, partnered with, owned by or controlled by any church, outside organization, religion or group. We respect and appreciate the fact that our audience is made up of various religious backgrounds. We try to remain as Biblically based as possible when it comes to business, corporate and on-air decisions and are happy to be able to be an encouraging and motivational part of our listener’s everyday life!