NASHVILLE, Tenn.—One of the most popular Christian music radio programs of all time, “Soul2Soul,” is set to broadcast its final show later this month, following an historic 25-year run. The show has featured 500 unique interviews since its inception, and at its peak was heard on 781 radio stations in 44 countries.
Created to give fans a more personal look into the lives of artists and the stories behind their songs, “Soul2Soul” afforded a platform for both up-and-coming artists and some of the genre’s biggest names. Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Bill & Gloria Gaither, TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sandi Patty, Chris Tomlin, Russ Taff, Petra, CeCe Winans, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Newsboys, Skillet, Natalie Grant, Jason Crabb, Jars of Clay, Point of Grace, for KING & Country, NEEDTOBREATHE, Hillsong United, Jeremy Camp, Matthew West and Keith & Kristyn Getty—as well as the late Rich Mullins and Andraé Crouch—are among numerous Christian music luminaries who shared their stories with “Soul2Soul” through the years.
The program also featured such renowned personalities as Randy Travis, Kathie Lee Gifford, Billy Ray Cyrus, Foreigner’s Lou Gramm, Journey’s Jonathan Cain, Diamond Rio and Wynonna, among others. In total, “Soul2Soul” logged more than 2,000 hours of interviews in a quarter-century on the air.
Founded in 1994 by Chris Coppernoll, Johnny “Hale” Fussell and Mike Becht, the 60-minute program showcased thoughtful, in-depth conversations alongside selections from featured artists’ latest releases. Becht solely helmed the show for the past nine years, writing, producing and interviewing artists for each episode.
“Without Chris’s vision and Johnny’s talent, I would have had nothing to carry,” reflects Becht. “I would also like to thank my team at Audiacom, especially Ryan Dietrich and Troy Smith who did so much of the hard work on the show for years. My daughters, Amanda and Ashton, who have both helped with Soul2Soul over the years, and my wife of 34 years, Natalie. She sacrificed so many days and nights with me on the road conducting interviews. I could not have gotten this far without her.”
“Finally, I must give all the praise and glory to God, who gave us a gift beyond description and a tool to touch millions with the love of Jesus,” he adds. “We’ve received letters and emails from every continent and from places I never dreamed the show would reach. It’s overwhelmingly humbling and gratifying to have played a small role in His bigger story.”
In addition to the one-hour weekly program, a 60-second radio news feature, “Soul2Soul Journal,” ran for more than 23 years. In 1998, show co-founder Coppernoll authored Soul2Soul, a critically acclaimed compilation highlighting many of the radio program’s most intriguing conversations to date.
The show produced a spinoff “Soul2Soul Tour” in 1999—hitting 20 markets and headlined by Tammy Trent, Greg Long and Salvador—as well as three Telly Award-winning live broadcasts, “Soul2Soul Honors,” celebrating artists who made a significant impact on Christian music.
“Soul2Soul” also played a role in events for “!Hero: The Rock Opera,” the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular and “The Polar Express” and “God’s Not Dead 2” motion picture premieres.
“Soul2Soul’s” final episode will air on affiliates around the world December 28-29. For further information visit s2sradio.com or follow “Soul2Soul” on Facebook.
Credit: Gospelmusic.org
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