George Flynn
A common desire of Christian Country music artists
is to see the world reached with the Gospel. It’s because we feel
Christian Country music is a powerful tool in the pursuit of that goal
that we all do what we do. For those of us who labor to create music that
touches hearts we understand that it’s a huge journey from the studio to
the ears of our audience.
There are thousands of dedicated men and women to whom we owe our gratitude for their hard work at radio stations across the U.S. They help us reach millions who are hungry for a musical message of hope & encouragement. Fortunately, for us, that help doesn’t stop at the edge of U.S. shores. In fact, you have a friend and ally 10,000 miles away in Australia. In “The Land Down Under,” one man has been working tirelessly to bring the best of Christian Country music to millions in other countries.
He is Don Taylor and his show is called “God’s Own Country.” It celebrated its 100th program this last May and it is now broadcast on over 300 stations in 4 countries. In recent months, Don Taylor’s voice and the Christian Country music he plays are also being heard in Canada, New Zealand, Vanuatu and the U.S. as well as through the internet. He sees “God’s Own Country” as his ministry.
Don is no stranger to the Christian Country Music Association. In 2003, he received the “Excellence in Broadcasting” Award.
Don Taylor’s radio experience began by doing volunteer audio book reading and on-air radio announcing for the Association for the Blind. Out of 180 applicants at the WA Academy of Performing Arts Broadcasting course in Perth only 16 were accepted. Don was one of them.
From there he rose in the ranks at Sonshine FM where he became their morning host and was also responsible for an evening inspirational and teaching program. From then, through today, his focus has always been to reach the hurting with music and words of hope and direction.
In 2003, Don began to create what is now known as “God’s Own Country” radio program, and it aired on 11 stations in Australia. It is not a “Top 10” or “Top 20” format. Don handpicks each song, carefully selecting those based on quality, content and the sincerity and personal reputation of the artist. Then, as producer and host, he weaves the songs together into a cohesive and fluid presentation. In short, the show is excellent. Obviously Don’s huge, and still growing, audience thinks so as well.
Don’s faith was birthed out of a debilitating depression from personal tragedies in his life. It was then that God spoke to his heart through the lyrics of a song. As Don puts it, “at that moment, I knew He was there… He was there for me… I had a sense of the prodigal son wanting to return home to a place of peace, like a child in His presence. It was as though He reached out and said ‘You are mine, I will lift you up and turn you around, and put your feet back on solid ground.’” Now Don works to bring God’s message to the hearts of others in need through Christian Country music.
He believes that God has put him to this task. Never asking anyone for money, he continues to pay for everything out of his own pocket, including a great deal of the music he plays. He sees the artists as individuals who have been given a gift by God and sees himself as a person whose job is to get these gifts out where they'll have the most impact for the Kingdom.
Don Taylor has definitely earned our respect and appreciation as a fellow Christian Country Music Association member, not only for what he has accomplished but how he’s done it. He pioneered the growing popularity of our music in his country by airing the best of our artists’ work. He has done all this part-time, at his own expense, with no support staff, no one cheering him on, and with no income except from his outside work.
Don is an example for us all. His commitment to “The Cause” is unwavering. He will not be deflected from the task God has put him to. He is “The Hand Stayed to the Plow.” We hope Don is an inspiration to those artists just beginning in their gifts and ministries. He is an example of the “step of faith” that starts “where you are” with “what you've got.” We also hope and pray that God provides us, (as Christian Country Music Artists, fans and industry professionals), with opportunities to support and work with Don as he labors selflessly to support us in our careers and ministries.
There are thousands of dedicated men and women to whom we owe our gratitude for their hard work at radio stations across the U.S. They help us reach millions who are hungry for a musical message of hope & encouragement. Fortunately, for us, that help doesn’t stop at the edge of U.S. shores. In fact, you have a friend and ally 10,000 miles away in Australia. In “The Land Down Under,” one man has been working tirelessly to bring the best of Christian Country music to millions in other countries.
He is Don Taylor and his show is called “God’s Own Country.” It celebrated its 100th program this last May and it is now broadcast on over 300 stations in 4 countries. In recent months, Don Taylor’s voice and the Christian Country music he plays are also being heard in Canada, New Zealand, Vanuatu and the U.S. as well as through the internet. He sees “God’s Own Country” as his ministry.
Don is no stranger to the Christian Country Music Association. In 2003, he received the “Excellence in Broadcasting” Award.
Don Taylor’s radio experience began by doing volunteer audio book reading and on-air radio announcing for the Association for the Blind. Out of 180 applicants at the WA Academy of Performing Arts Broadcasting course in Perth only 16 were accepted. Don was one of them.
From there he rose in the ranks at Sonshine FM where he became their morning host and was also responsible for an evening inspirational and teaching program. From then, through today, his focus has always been to reach the hurting with music and words of hope and direction.
In 2003, Don began to create what is now known as “God’s Own Country” radio program, and it aired on 11 stations in Australia. It is not a “Top 10” or “Top 20” format. Don handpicks each song, carefully selecting those based on quality, content and the sincerity and personal reputation of the artist. Then, as producer and host, he weaves the songs together into a cohesive and fluid presentation. In short, the show is excellent. Obviously Don’s huge, and still growing, audience thinks so as well.
Don’s faith was birthed out of a debilitating depression from personal tragedies in his life. It was then that God spoke to his heart through the lyrics of a song. As Don puts it, “at that moment, I knew He was there… He was there for me… I had a sense of the prodigal son wanting to return home to a place of peace, like a child in His presence. It was as though He reached out and said ‘You are mine, I will lift you up and turn you around, and put your feet back on solid ground.’” Now Don works to bring God’s message to the hearts of others in need through Christian Country music.
He believes that God has put him to this task. Never asking anyone for money, he continues to pay for everything out of his own pocket, including a great deal of the music he plays. He sees the artists as individuals who have been given a gift by God and sees himself as a person whose job is to get these gifts out where they'll have the most impact for the Kingdom.
Don Taylor has definitely earned our respect and appreciation as a fellow Christian Country Music Association member, not only for what he has accomplished but how he’s done it. He pioneered the growing popularity of our music in his country by airing the best of our artists’ work. He has done all this part-time, at his own expense, with no support staff, no one cheering him on, and with no income except from his outside work.
Don is an example for us all. His commitment to “The Cause” is unwavering. He will not be deflected from the task God has put him to. He is “The Hand Stayed to the Plow.” We hope Don is an inspiration to those artists just beginning in their gifts and ministries. He is an example of the “step of faith” that starts “where you are” with “what you've got.” We also hope and pray that God provides us, (as Christian Country Music Artists, fans and industry professionals), with opportunities to support and work with Don as he labors selflessly to support us in our careers and ministries.