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Christian Voice Magazine provides coverage of the latest news and major events within the Christian music industry. The Christian Voice also looks beyond the music and into the lives of artists and ministries as they deal with real-life issues that define and give testimony to their faith. Additionally, the publication features a variety of inspirational articles and editorials relative to the Christian family and lifestyle. The first issue was published in September 2006.

SoGospelNews caught up with Randall Wilds (Business Operations C.O.O.) and John Lanier (Executive Editor) and asked a few questions about their first year with CVM.

Christian Voice Magazine is celebrating it's first year anniversary this month. Has the road been smooth or bumpy? Has the path been what you thought it would be?

Randall: It has been a very smooth ride, and the magazine has been well received. I feel the Lord has blessed our efforts tremendously.

John: I agree....I'd say it has been remarkably smooth. The creation, success and continued growth of the Christian Voice has been a much needed positive element in the midst of trials otherwise in my life this past year. There's no way we could have accomplished this without the support of so many who believed in us - the subscribers and advertisers who took a chance on us, and a very dedicated staff.

What made you think that there was a need for another Gospel Music magazine? What persuaded you to be the taskmaster who would take this responsibility on?

Randall: For three years before we ever published the first issue, I felt that this was something I needed to do. It was never really public knowledge, but I was negotiating the purchase of US Gospel News with Paul Boden before his untimely death.

John: Perhaps we didn't "need" another magazine. There are plenty of printed and online gospel music publications available already and all are excellent sources of news and information pertaining to southern gospel. But Christian Voice isn't limited to Southern Gospel Music.

What is CVM doing to make yourselves different, or stand out different from other Gospel Music magazines? While your magazine is predominantly about Gospel Music, and Southern Gospel at that, the name Christian Voice doesn't mention music at all. What's the idea behind that?

John: Southern Gospel is my roots, my passion. While CVM does indeed tend to focus primarily on southern gospel, it's not the limit. In fact, we never claimed to be a publication focused on music only. Our goal with CVM is to provide a well-balanced resource of information relevant to all aspects of Christian family and lifestyle, including music. Thus, our slogan: Faith, Family, Music, Ministry. Our covers have featured the likes of the Gaither Vocal Band, Imperials and Casting Crowns as well as traditional Southern Gospel artists like The Singing Echoes, Gerald Crabb and Dottie Rambo. But we've also been priviledged to feature interviews and stories about such prominent ministries and speakers as T. D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer and Jesse Duplantis. CVM was recently described by one subscriber as being "a cross between Singing News and Charisma magazines", lol. I think it's a good blend, and so do our readers thus far.

Another element that perhaps makes CVM a bit different is the fact that we do not publish a lot of industry-related news and information such as groups signing with agencies and record companies. We try to print news and information that might be of direct interest to music fans and readers in general such as artist interviews, family resources, concert snapshots, devotionals and commentaries on various social and spiritual issues.

CVM started out with it's very first issue with a high quality, high gloss look. Most magazines work their way up to that. Do you think that this has made a big difference for you?

Randall: I believe the Word of God teaches us to give our best in anything we endeavor. That is a philosophy I try to live by and work by. I believe the quality of CVM has certainly been a positive selling point to both fans and advertisers. Of course, it would have been a lot less expensive and very little effort required to do nothing more than staple and fold a few photocopies together and call it a magazine. But, when representing Christ, I believe I should use the most of my resources and put my best foot forward.

John: I completely agree, and anyone that knows me knows I am a perfectionist when it comes to marketing, branding and image of a product. Although there is always room for improvement, I do my best, as Executive Editor, to make the magazine as attractive, appealing and as interesting to readers as possible. Though I know we still have a lot of growing to do and a lot still to learn, I am not ashamed to put CVM up against any publication available on the market today. Many people have worked hard to make CVM what it is, and God has surely blessed our efforts. I think it's something we all can be gratefully proud of.

What are the demographics of your readership? What do you have in your future plans to increase those demographics?

Randall: When the magazine premiered at last year's NQC, it was well-received by artists, fans and industry leaders. That week and the weeks following, we gained hundreds of new subscribers and artist affiliations. Within the next several months, our readership grew into the thousands. The recent acquisition of US Gospel News has helped increase our total circulation even more, and we now have 80 artists who carry and distribute CVM at their concerts.

John: Though we have not taken an official pole or survey at this point, it appears that the majority of our readers range from age 35 to age 60. We have subscribers in 40 states, including Alaska. We also have subscribers in a few foreign countries including Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, Honduras and Northern Ireland. In my humble opinion, that's pretty impressive for a publication that's been in existence for only one year.

What's your staff like? How many people are on your staff? How did God bring your staff together?

Randall: I don't think I could ask for a better group of people to work with. There are six who work in the CVM office on a daily basis. Two others who work primarily from their home, and seven contributing writers from various locations. We also contract the work of Carolyn Littlefield as our official photgrapher and Kathy Flannery with Graphic Design Agency for graphic design and production.

John: It is surely a blessing to have a capable staff performing the many duties necessary to adequately maintain the office and ensure everything runs as efficiently as possible on a daily basis. The greater blessing to me is knowing I am surrounded by supportive, godly people, and they are a great joy to work with.

Now that you have passed that one year mark, which by the way, many new businesses never see, what does the future hold for CVM?

John: We simply want to continue building on the foundation we've established and watch it grow to be one of the nation's top Christian publications. As our friend and mentor Paul Boden always said...."To God Be The Glory."

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