It is not your old time gospel music.
Ron Corino of Newton is a Christian music DJ who is trying to expose his listeners to a wide range of contemporary Christian music.
Corino, who works at Youthville by day but hits the airwaves Saturday nights, recently was recognized for his contribution for promoting independent Christian artists.
He received a momentum award in Nashville at the CIA summit for his encouragement of these artists.
Corino, 45, said he has had a longtime passion for radio and music. He started in radio as a high school student and started working in Christian radio in the late ’80s. He has been doing his current radio show on KBCU-FM 88.1 for five years. He can be heard from 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays.
He said he finds Christian music uplifting and a means of conveying positive messages on many of society’s issues, such as marriage and overcoming addiction.
“It is focused on the positive,” he said. “Not every mainstream song, but a high percentage of mainstream songs, are very negative.”
Corino picks up on many of the new artists he plays by word of mouth, MySpace or indieheaven.com.
Cornino’s radio show also is broadcast over the Internet and can be accessed at www.bethelks.edu/kbcu.
He has helped bring two concerts to Newton — Christopher Ames two years ago, and the Broadway Bash at Youthville in 2007.
He is working on organizing a concert for 6 p.m. July 19 in Athletic Park.
The concert will be free, although donations will be accepted.
It will feature Gregory Paul Smith of Wichita, 9th Hour of Smithville, Mo., and Kristyn Leigh.
During the month of May, Corino will be taking suggests during his radio show on names for the July concert. The person who suggests the winning name will receive free CDs of the artists who will be performing at the concert.
He said through the concert and his radio show he hoped to reach out through music to people who do not know Jesus.
“I think everyone in their own way has a gift they do to serve the Lord,” Corino said. “I have a passion for what I do. It is a form of worship for the Lord and a way to serve others.”
