HLE Internet Radio Makes Waves
When most people hear the term “Independent Internet Radio”, the image that comes to mind is one of some weirdo guy in his underwear (with comic book characters printed on them), in his mother’s basement, playing never-before-heard-of tracks featuring unknown garage band rehearsals and pirated songs. In this digital age, those scenarios are still a reality to a certain extent, but the truth is – not all internet radio stations fit that image. HLERadio.com is leading the way in Internet Radio. The station is changing the face of Christian Country Music with a cutting edge take on what true Ministry looks like.
In the last few years, Internet Radio has been growing by leaps and bounds. From the humble beginnings in 1993 with the first internet radio Talk Show and a few live streamed concerts until today, music lovers now have a variety of options for their listening pleasures. The internet radio format has expanded exponentially to a monthly average of over 160 million digital radio listeners currently and an expected 190 million by 2019. Those are just the figures for the United States. Internet Radio has expanded to a world-wide stage. In many areas of the world, internet radio listeners far exceed the traditional terrestrial stations. Parts of the world that never before had access to quality recordings are now able to listen to the Word of God through the music of Christian Country artists. In areas that restrict missionaries, people can hear the Gospel via song and ministries on Internet Radio.
HLERadio.com is at the forefront of that availability. HLERadio.com is drawing the blueprint for what a successful internet station looks like. According to Hunter Logan, owner of HLERadio.com, “This has always been a ministry, first and foremost, and when you do what God tells you to do, He provides everything else”. In a short three and a half years’ time, HLE has grown from 2 listeners to an average of over 1.8 million log-ons each month in 156 countries around the world. The station started with a broken computer, a borrowed server, a small room behind another business, one man, and a call from God. HLE now has several upgraded systems, a recording studio, two full store-fronts, six volunteer staff members, and a call from God. With this growth has come industry recognition that was formerly reserved for the terrestrial stations. In the last two years, HLE has won 11 awards from various top industry organizations such as ICM, ICGMA, GME, Christian Voice, and Agape Fest.
Hunter and T Graham Brown
HLERadio has had over 65 top Christian Country artists visit their studio for interviews and “Unplugged” concerts. Some of the popular artists that have dropped by include T.Graham Brown, Marty Raybon and Shenandoa, Tommy Brant, Bruce Hedrick, Johnny Rowlett, Mike Manuel, The Arenos, Branded, Jayc Harold, John Randolph, Ken Holloway, and many others. Everyone that visits the station always mentions that HLE’s set-up was much better than what they had expected when they first heard that it was an “Internet Radio” station. “We do our best to make sure that the artists are comfortable here”, states Mr. Logan. He goes on to say, “Without Jesus as the focus, you can’t do anything on your own. Spreading the message of Jesus as Savior is the only thing that matters”.
In this new age of technology, Internet Radio is fast becoming the way people around the world listen to music. Stations like HLERadio.com are what the public is searching for when it comes to the finest in Christian Country music. As the multiple awards prove, HLE is doing everything right when it comes to
Internet Radio. As Mr. Logan states, “I can’t wait to see what God is gonna do next!”
