C
chicago
Guest
Like 10-12 years ago, I used to listen to a LOT of Catholic radio. EWTN Shortwave was on all the time.
When the various formats under the Catholic Radio Network holdings came on the air, I listened quite a bit, also. That all was an interesting experiment. (I think I liked the “All Gregorian Chant All The Time” stunting the best of all their airrings, though.) I tuned in regularly to CA Live and Al Kresta (once he returned to afternoons); and was a frequent listener to Ray Flynn. Never was a huge fan of Dr. Ray (though he is actually probably the best radio talent on Catholic stations) and would often turn him off (too abrasive for my tastes). Preferred Colleen Kelly Mast. “The Radix Guys” had a nice show briefly as part of one of the early incarnations. Checked out all of the shows on the air there periodically. But after 820 got sold off, I didn’t have much of a chance to listen anymore.
Now what we have is Relavant Radio. Really, I don’t care for it much. Most of the shows are geared at a Catholic 101 kind of level, it seems. I’m usually thinking, “OK so I KNOW this already!” and quickly turn the dial to something more interesting or pertinent. I’ll tune in to the local shows from the Archdiocese (even though they are amatuerish) just to hear something local and be informed about whatever is going on. I find Drew to be overly dramatic and sensationalist at times. I also don’t think he runs a tight show. Sean Harriet has a good show which is worthwhile, but (again) it’s often at a kind of really Catholic living basics level that doesn’t suit me. (Plus I’m not much of a morning listener, usually.) I heard Shelia’s show during it’s first week and liked what I heard. Primarily because she had good guests booked who were articulate and could basically take over the platform to say what they needed to without interference. I haven’t been back to it much, though. RRs entire format seems geared towards a target audience of middle aged moms who are “spritual but not necessarily religious” (as one Midwest media reporter in a major newspaper once put it). And I just don’t fit that demo. Nonethless, I’ll breeze by and check it out from time to time to see if there is anything interesting on. Typically, I’m gone within a few minutes. However, if there is something of pertinent timeliness as a topic, I might stick with it.
With EWTN picking up Kresta and CA’s extra hour, I’m going to have to keep my shortwave closeby again (at least when I don’t have to go out and about) so that I can check out those shows. Generally speaking, they are probably the two best things going in Catholic radio. Probably because they are run by quality experienced professionals who have both the talent and knack for the medium to effectively communicate over the air.
Oh, and I like Lino when I can catch his show. But there is too much giggling at times.
When the various formats under the Catholic Radio Network holdings came on the air, I listened quite a bit, also. That all was an interesting experiment. (I think I liked the “All Gregorian Chant All The Time” stunting the best of all their airrings, though.) I tuned in regularly to CA Live and Al Kresta (once he returned to afternoons); and was a frequent listener to Ray Flynn. Never was a huge fan of Dr. Ray (though he is actually probably the best radio talent on Catholic stations) and would often turn him off (too abrasive for my tastes). Preferred Colleen Kelly Mast. “The Radix Guys” had a nice show briefly as part of one of the early incarnations. Checked out all of the shows on the air there periodically. But after 820 got sold off, I didn’t have much of a chance to listen anymore.
Now what we have is Relavant Radio. Really, I don’t care for it much. Most of the shows are geared at a Catholic 101 kind of level, it seems. I’m usually thinking, “OK so I KNOW this already!” and quickly turn the dial to something more interesting or pertinent. I’ll tune in to the local shows from the Archdiocese (even though they are amatuerish) just to hear something local and be informed about whatever is going on. I find Drew to be overly dramatic and sensationalist at times. I also don’t think he runs a tight show. Sean Harriet has a good show which is worthwhile, but (again) it’s often at a kind of really Catholic living basics level that doesn’t suit me. (Plus I’m not much of a morning listener, usually.) I heard Shelia’s show during it’s first week and liked what I heard. Primarily because she had good guests booked who were articulate and could basically take over the platform to say what they needed to without interference. I haven’t been back to it much, though. RRs entire format seems geared towards a target audience of middle aged moms who are “spritual but not necessarily religious” (as one Midwest media reporter in a major newspaper once put it). And I just don’t fit that demo. Nonethless, I’ll breeze by and check it out from time to time to see if there is anything interesting on. Typically, I’m gone within a few minutes. However, if there is something of pertinent timeliness as a topic, I might stick with it.
With EWTN picking up Kresta and CA’s extra hour, I’m going to have to keep my shortwave closeby again (at least when I don’t have to go out and about) so that I can check out those shows. Generally speaking, they are probably the two best things going in Catholic radio. Probably because they are run by quality experienced professionals who have both the talent and knack for the medium to effectively communicate over the air.
Oh, and I like Lino when I can catch his show. But there is too much giggling at times.
! I drive an hour each way to work, so, there is 5 hours right there (my AM commute is when EWTN broadcasts Mass, and I feel strange listening in the car, so, I listen to Martha Stewart in the AM commute time…)
