July 16, 2009 – Nashville, TN – Christian Music Weekly [CMW] has announced an aggressive relaunch for its 17-year-old publication and a total restructuring of CMW’s news and chart delivery systems. The revamped PDF-delivered publication will take on a whole new look the issue dated August 11, 2009.

Coinciding with the publication retooling, CMW has announced the hiring of Rick Welke, former Radio & Records [R&R] Christian Music Editor who helped bring Christian music news and national charts to the national mainstream trade publication back in 2001. Welke will serve as chief consultant and oversee the relaunch of the publication and restructuring of all national charts.

“With the sudden downsizing of important charts and news information to the Christian music industry recently, it became evident that the industry needed a recommitment to hard news and a respected chart system available to anyone within Contemporary Christian Music,” states Welke. “CMW is stepping up its delivery methods and bolstering its reporting panels to include all viable radio organizations that are hitting the music consumer. While other charting systems are going the way of exclusivity and downsizing their reporting station lists, CMW will be much more inclusive, reflecting the new music economy and the various ways the music listener is connected to artists and their art. Our goal is to superserve the Christian music industry as a whole, and to not negate any media outlet that is reaching Christian music listeners.”

Rob Green, CMW Editor/Publisher shared, “For more than a decade and a half, CMW has operated by a different business model. We were among the first to investigate new formats and trends in radio, and to bring on non-terrestrial broadcasters. We also introduced a user-friendly website for reporting, setting our data standards higher, and refused to charge radio for the privilege of reporting. I’m delighted at Rick’s willingness to join us. He brings skills and abilities that will position us for the future. It is a great match, and we have the bonus of having Rick as our man on the ground in Nashville.”

Another alteration to CMW’s delivery of its weekly PDF publication will be that it will be offered up for free. The current paid subscribers to CMW will be transferred to a new VIP program that will present in-depth news, deeper charts, and special guest columns and research on a for-pay portion of the new website. Welke reflects, “Basic news and charts will be free to anyone, including artists, managers, retail outlets, and even music fans. For those individuals that desire the whole story and deeper charts, CMW will fill that present void by offering up a cost-effective all access pass via the new site, including smaller specialty format charts.”