Industry News Bits WED 11/4/26

Fundraisers this week  .. Racman Christian Radio/WA .. 

Let us know when your Station Fundraiser takes place… news@hisair.net

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OCT Cume top 5
1 KSBJ
2 KYDA
3 WPLJ
4 KKLQ
5 KLTY

OCT AQH winners
KLJY #1
WCIE #2
KTIS #6
KJNW #6
WGTS #7
WAIA #10
KLTY #10
KSBJ #10
KZLV #10

Christian broadcasters were among the winners and finalists at the 2026 Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) Awards, with Sonshine 98.5FM/Perth and John Sandles of 96three FM/Geelong receiving national recognition.   The awards were presented October 24th in Geelong, Australia, and attracted more than 300 entries across over 20 categories, honoring excellence in programming, technical innovation, fundraising and community engagement.

Perth-based Sonshine 98.5FM received the Excellence in Community Engagement award for its annual Heart For The Homeless campaign.

John Sandles, who contributes his technical expertise to Geelong Christian broadcaster 96three FM and community station 94.7 The Pulse, received the Outstanding Technical Contribution award.

Several additional Christian radio stations were recognized as finalists in this year’s competition.

89.9 TheLight/Melbourne earned three finalist nominations: Lucy & Kel’s Show 3000 – Excellence in Special Events & Outside Broadcasting, One Day of Difference – Excellence in Fundraising, Ash Couchman – Outstanding Youth Contribution.

Rise 96.5 was named a finalist for Excellence in Production for its creative Goat Giveaway promotion.

The recognition of Sonshine, 96three FM, TheLight and Rise 96.5 highlights the contributions Christian broadcasters continue to make to Australia’s community radio sector through innovative programming, technical excellence and community service.

Seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner TobyMac has released his new single, “The Hard Times,” launching a new era following his chart-topping 2025 album, Heaven On My Mind. Written by TobyMac, Dave Lubben and Micah Kuiper, and produced by Kuiper and McKeehan, the song carries a message of hope for listeners navigating difficult seasons, acknowledging the weight of those experiences while pointing toward the growth and renewed faith that can emerge through them.

TobyMac who considers himself a songwriter first, lets us into his life—and helps us make sense of our own. For decades, he has turned personal experiences, from loss to the search for hope, by crafting lyrics that meet listeners in their struggles. On “The Hard Times,” it almost seems as if he’s celebrating the hard seasons—not the pain itself, but he knows that being forged by fire makes us stronger. By sharing his journey with honesty and courage, TobyMac reminds us we’re not alone in ours.

“For most of us, it takes the hard times in life to turn our hearts to God,” TobyMac says of the song’s inspiration. “They seem to be an invitation to sit at His feet.  And it’s there, under His care that we can begin to grow into something beautiful.”

The National Association of Gospel Radio (NAGR)  introduces MUSIC MANIA™, a two-and-a-half-day gospel music festival coming to New Orleans, LA, March 11–13, 2027. MUSIC MANIA™ is a fan-centered experience designed to bring gospel music and its listeners together for three days when fans, artists, radio professionals, industry leaders, and music lovers will unite for an immersive celebration.

Whether you’re a gospel music fan, recording artist, radio professional, industry executive, or passionate supporter of the genre, you’re invited to be at MUSIC MANIA™!  For more info go HERE