About The Southern Gospel USA Countdown Show

The Southern Gospel USA Countdown Show is one half hour in length and features the top five songs of the week in Southern Gospel music.  The weekly chart, from which the show is produced, is compiled from information received from reporting stations, coast to coast. 

Gary Wilson has always believed the Southern Gospel industry needs a weekly chart!  Unlike the monthly chart used by this industry today, the weekly chart provides a more accurate picture of the current airplay songs are receiving.  The weekly charting process is one embraced by most of the other music genres.  This system allows more singles to be released from an album.  In the Southern Gospel industry, there may be two songs released to radio off of each album...maybe three.  By contrast, pop or country may release as many as six songs off of each album to radio.  A weekly chart makes it possible for the artists to receive greater exposure and also keeps radio fresh.  Ultimately, this added exposure leads to more album sales.  This is a proven fact!  Southern Gospel music sales rank at or near the bottom of all Christian music sold.  Is Southern Gospel music so bad?  No!  The Bill Gaither Homecoming video series has been a constant fixture at the top of the Billboard sales chart.  Since most of the artists who appear on the Homecoming series are Southern Gospel artists, it is reasonable to assume that people enjoy this music.  Concert halls are packed for these Homecoming events and video sales are through the roof! 

The problem with our industry can be summed up in one word; marketing.  Well, there is another word, but that’s an entirely different matter.  In 1990, Gary spoke with Garry Cohn about a weekly chart.  At that time, neither man had a platform from which to launch such a project.  In the latter part of the 1990’s, Garry Cohn became the Editor of the Gospel Voice Magazine.  The Gospel Voice Magazine was the first Southern Gospel publication to publish a weekly chart.  Soon afterwards, a meeting was held and Gary Wilson was asked to produce a countdown show based on their chart.  In June 2000, the Southern Gospel USA Countdown Show made its debut.  Today, that program is broadcast on dozens of radio stations throughout the United States and Canada. 

Gary also produces a non-commercial version, especially for the American Forces radio Network.  In a letter from Chaplain Major Thomas Russell, Director of Religious Programming for the AFRN, Russell writes:

“Thank you for your interest in the spiritual welfare of our men and women in uniform serving overseas.  I think the Southern Gospel USA Countdown Show will be a valuable addition to our religious radio programming. 

This letter is to formally request gratis permission for the American Forces Radio and Television Service to distribute on a weekly basis the Southern Gospel USA Countdown Show.  We request permission to air your program to our Department of Defense overseas audience indefinitely, as long as you are willing to provide it.

I fully believe that the Southern Gospel USA Countdown Show will be a tremendous asset to our religious programming, and that God will continue to use it and minister to thousands, bringing honor and glory to His name and Kingdom”

In addition to being heard on numerous radio stations throughout the United States and Canada, and in over 175 countries on the American Forces Radio Network, the show is also available On Demand at www.sgusa.com.  It is also broadcast on the America Country Music Channel (Channel 10) on XM Radio.