Hi! My name is Ed Caple, the founder of Classic Christian Hits Radio.
This station is designed to do three things – Entertain, Encourage, and Edify! Entertain – to get you to want to come back and listen again! Encourage – to help you get through the day-to-day of this life! Finally, Edify – to build you up and strengthen your walk with God, through both the songs played as well as some short, thought-provoking programs!
Personally, I started listening to “Jesus Music” (as it was known back then) while I was in high school way back in the BC days. (You know – Before Computers!) I’ve been involved in music since I was a kid. My first instrument was the accordion – and the thing was as big as I was! After a short time, I decided it wasn’t the instrument for me! Piano was next, but it wasn’t “cool” back then so I left it behind, too. During high school I played trumpet all 4 years, and also sang in my church choir. In college I was in the varsity chorale, followed by a small CCM band in the local area. As an adult I was in a church-based CCM group of 5 vocalists singing and doing short dramas in the local area. All this to say I’ve always loved music, both old and new, and I was encouraged by family and friends to stay involved!
I started working in Christian radio while I was in college and it became a lifetime passion. The crazy thing is, a lot of these “classics” – I played on the air when they were brand new! (Man, do I feel old!) Back in the 1970’s, though, most Christian radio stations were teaching and talk focused. Since there weren’t very many “hits” on the radio in the 70’s, I’ve gone through my library and pulled what I think are some of the best songs from that time period.
Over time, stations started to change and music radio with the new Christian music became more prevalent. Of course, with the amount of new music coming out, there was only so much time available, and some favorites faded away, only to be fond memories for a lot of us.
Unfortunately, my time in terrestrial Christian radio came to an end in 2010, but in 2012, God gave me the vision for this station. With the help of some friends, it became a reality in late 2013! With the cobbled together web page my limited knowledge of this stuff allowed, the music started playing in late 2013! Thank you God, and to those who gave financially or their time to help get this started!
The station has grown from those early days, starting with around 750 songs to play and very few people listening. Today, there’s over 2500 songs in the library – and still growing! With that, there have been people in over 50 countries listening during a month’s time! In addition, a logo was developed, the website was upgraded, and the streaming service was changed and improved! It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come, but we’ve only scratched the surface of the potential!
Hopefully, as you listen to the oldies here, you’ll be reminded of times past where you KNEW God was at work in your life – and it will encourage you! Drop me a line and let me know your thoughts, or if there’s someone we’re not playing that you’d like to hear, email me at ed@classicchristianhitsradio.com I’ll do my best to find it and add it! Enjoy!