Archives 3/05

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Mar. 1, 2005-

SG and money yet again- This is a recurring theme on this site (in case you haven't noticed). I guess because it is a pet peeve of mine. Maybe I should change the name to The Most Economically Challenged Form of Music Commentary. What got me back on this line of thought (again) was talking to a long time friend of mine who is in an up and coming Bluegrass group. Being that both of us are busy, it has been awhile since we had talked. In catching up on things I really found out some things that further solidify the proven fact that SG is way behind financially. While my friend's group is certainly not a household name to Bluegrass fans (yet), they are a name that diehard Bluegrass fans would know. When my friend drove up in a brand new Chevy p/u I knew I would have to get around to asking him how well they were doing. As friends will do, he gave me all the details. Last year they did 125 dates and, after Uncle Sam got his part, cleared $40k each.  I know this is no where near being rich, but let's make a little comparison here. Except for the Inspirations, the going salary for a member of a top SG group is somewhere along the lines of $20k-$25k per year. This is doing 200-250 dates a year. To make it sound even worse, my friend's group is doing 1/2 as many bookings and making two times more money than a member of a top SG group. Since my friend's group does a lot of Bluegrass Gospel songs, I think I'll brush up on my Bluegrass in case they have an opening. 

A little about Idols- American Idol has not been one of the most watched TV shows for me the way it has been for many Americans. Since computers came along I don't watch as much TV as I once did. I caught the first season of Idol and then just glanced at it every now and then since. This year I have watched almost every show. I don't know if this year has been unique in what seems to be a common theme (as memory serves me I can't remember the first season being this way). What I'm seeing this year is some folks that have the voices but just can't pick songs. I don't know what some of these people were thinking when picking these songs. After last week and the judges saying that everyone was just playing it too safe you would think they would stop playing it safe. The rocker dudes are an exception to this. These guys really kicked it up a notch. Everyone else, except maybe the girl that Simon likes, played it safe once again this week. I don't know if it is how America is going to feel, but I believe the rockers are going to rule this year.

Mar. 3, 2005-

The King of SG- I don't know about king, but if he were running for President of SG, Nick Bruno would get my vote and support. In my opinion there is no one else in the field who speaks the truth and backs it up with better ideas than Nick. If more known people in SG would jump on the same boat that Nick is on our music would really go somewhere. Check out this article: http://sogospelnews.com/index/features/comments/3532/ #1 is an awesome idea.

VOTE NICK BRUNO FOR PRESIDENT OF SOUTHERN GOSPEL!!

Mar. 8, 2005-

Unmerited favor- Sometimes I wonder if we really understand the depth of Grace. People can be so judgemental (remember I am a "people" too) with their comments. Through the whole Kirk Talley incident I can say, even though I am human and don't understand the mindset of having same sex attraction, I was never judgemental concerning Kirk. No one on the face of this earth has the credentials to determine if Kirk Talley is de-gayed, cured, or whatever you want to call it. Speculation in and of this fact is just that. Speculation. I think, while human, speculation about this falls short of forgiveness. We can all know for a fact that the Bible teaches that we should forgive others so we can also be forgiven. Deon Unthank attended a Kirk Talley concert at Johnny Minick's church and wrote this article http://sogospelnews.com/index/scene/comments/3494/ about the experience. Deon really has a way of making you feel you were there too when he writes about something such as this. I read the article through tears as the realization of the depth of God's Grace, the courage that it must have taken on the part of Kirk Talley, and how truly dying to self and living in Christ is what has happened to Kirk. Kirk's earthly reputation has been smeared and his life has been turned upside down, but God is glorified. Being a selfish human being I can say I wouldn't want anything like this to happen to me. To this day it is hard for me to openly admit the bad things that I did before giving my life to God. Hopefully the testimony I built has and will touch many lives. It is nothing compared to what God is doing through Kirk Talley. There are still those who will refuse to go to Kirk Talley concerts or put ads in magazines with his name on it. Just like Kirk they don't deserve God's Grace either. That still does not keep Him from giving it to them also. Thank you Lord for your Grace!

Mar. 9, 2005-

It is so sad that it's funny- After reading on www.averyfineline.com that T. Gore now has food items to add to his SG Blue Light Special Ministry Shop I just had to laugh. It is so pathetic it makes sarcasm come out of me. I bet Tony's table outside a venue where he is singing looks like one of those markets at ports in the Bahamas, Jamaica, etc. Next it will be frozen meats and fans will be bringing coolers to concerts to take home meat that was found to be the best in the world. Of course then you will have to have a grill outside the auditorium or church to cook the meat so people can sample it. Or maybe in his travels he might come across the most quality pets in the world. Wouldn't that be great. Go to a SG concert and come home with a puppy, groceries, and a nice purse. Heck, why not just do your Christmas shopping while you're there!? Hey! I just had a great idea. You could sell video games! Have a couple of TVs with an Xbox and PS2 hooked to them and the kids could demo the games right there in the church or auditorium lobby. What about discount auto parts? Insurance? Cemetery plots?

Mar. 10, 2005-

Are we supposed to be scared?- I'm referring to Gospel Musings' latest post "Bloggers not protected....". It is referring to a lawsuit that Apple Computers filed against a few websites for reporting "inside" information about unannounced new products. Apple is not seeking anything except for the websites to reveal their sources. One of the websites, Think Secret, has already blocked the lawsuit by filing a motion based on the First Amendment (free speech), "Apple's lawsuit is an affront to the First Amendment, and an attempt to use Apple's economic power to intimidate small journalists". I have no idea what this has to do with SG bloggers? Maybe in some juvenile way GM makes a remote connection between this and SG bloggers exercising their First Amendment right of writing about SG? More than likely it is just defensive posturing. You can tell by statements like this that self-esteem is not one of GM's strong points "There are several SG bloggers that don't like me. I don't really know why. What I do know is that certain bloggers like to post about my maturity levels and my attitude, but don't feel like they have to check their's at the door either". I like you, Chris. I think you try real hard. Don't mistake dislike for disrespect. Respect has to be earned. "Bloggers not protected..." I don't see anyone who needs protection. 

Mar. 11, 2005-

I see where you are coming from- In response to Gospel Musing's explanation about my post from yesterday. I see a little clearer as to where Chris is coming from. I think he is speaking of someone making up rumors (gossip) and posting them on a blog for the world to see. I would hope that all the SG bloggers would not stoop to doing something like that. Even though I don't think this is even remotely being done by any SG bloggers and if it was it would be doubtful if any would need protection, I respect Chris' explanation. Mostly due to the "tone" it was posted in. Chris, I have shown plenty of respect to your family. Some you should know about from previous posts and other times elsewhere. Just because someone disagrees with an opinion of you or your family does not mean they are showing them disrespect. Maybe I should not have mentioned anything about self-esteem. I just call them as I see them and that is the way I see it. Anyway, thanks for the explanation.

Mar. 14, 2005-

Concert Review- Greater Vision- I don't get to go to many concerts, but in the last couple of weeks I had a chance to see Greater Vision. This was the first time in approx. a year that I was able to see them in person. Our paths just don't seem to cross as much as they used to. The first thing I have to say about the concert concerns Gerald Wolfe. If there is a better emcee in SG right now, I haven't seen them. Gerald had the crowd in the palm of his hand all night. He was serious when he needed to be and comical when he needed to be. GV opened with 5 songs before even a word was spoken. The vocals were flawless. I've heard it said many times in different places that GV uses too many stacks in concert. I must say that the last time I saw them live this was the case. I guess this talk got back to them. Although to the educated listener stacks were still present, they certainly were not over done. Due to some conversations with David Bruce Murray and James Hales about CD reviews and their comments that I didn't put negative things in my CD reviews (although there are some there), I was conscious entering the concert to be aware of the negatives. To be completely honest the only negatives I saw or heard was a little too many high frequencies on the sound system. Other than that, in my opinion, there were no negatives. Greater Vision not only entertained me, but more importantly gave me a great blessing. Another trio in SG could be half as good as GV and still be in the upper echelon of SG. That is just how much of a class act they are.

Mar. 18, 2005-

Of Thieves,  deceivers, and desperation- With all the talk about Rick Hendrix and his underhanded ways of getting Heirline's song to the top of the chart (changed from original posting by request of SN), I couldn't help but think of something that seems to be a contradiction. Namely the fact that Hendrix's article this month in SGN was about people stealing music by downloading it for free from the internet. Illegally downloading music is certainly wrong. While it is not illegal, it is certainly unethical to deceive radio stations and certainly the fans themselves with hyped up information and press releases (you know, George Bush inviting Young Harmony to the inauguration). I don't want to be judgemental, but someone has to talk about this. Accountability is one thing that is sorely missing from SG. It seems that fly by night record companies (and even some that have been around awhile) can promise artists the world and deliver nothing, SG news agencies can deceive by hyped up press releases, etc. and they are not held accountable for their actions. This all runs rampant in the SGM industry. I believe what causes a Christian industry to resort to unethical practices is desperation. We need to be honest. Press releases should be honest. If Young Harmony was not personally invited by President Bush to sing at the Inauguration, it should not be implied. Either simply say "Young Harmony will be attending the Inauguration" or don't say anything at all. Young Harmony's music should speak for itself. Heirline's music should also speak for itself and chart where it belongs. Another desperate measure is the fact that we will report anything. If John Doe of the XXXX Qt. has a wart removed from his big toe, we will report it. We don't just hear the news of a group releasing a new project. We hear when they go in the studio, when they finish tracks, when they finish vocals, when they finish the recording, then finally (the real news) when the new project is available.  Record labels should be honest. They should tell the artists what they feel they can do for them based on the artist's talent level. They shouldn't tell them they will help them hit the big time and deliver nothing. Radio stations should be honest. If they get a compilation disc that is junk, they shouldn't play it. To be continued.........

A flat experiment- A regional group that I have spoken of before, this year, has started asking for a flat fee when called for bookings. Not only did they decide to do this in order to make sure their expenses are covered, but also because of the idea that this is one way to improve the financial situation of SG as a whole (this is one of the many things that open-minded industry professionals advise should be done in order to bring more money into SG. ie: do away with love offerings). Keep in mind this is a very good regional group where all members have fulltime jobs. The flat that was agreed upon was between $300-$500 according to the travel distance to the church or venue. As a side note, another reason this amount and the decision to charge a flat in general was decided upon was to weed out some of the less desirable places that normally called. They said they would give me regular reports about how it is going. The first report was not as good as expected. Approximately 50% of the contacts turned down the flat either by saying they would check with their pastor and never getting back with the group or just saying they would get a less desirable group that would come for an offering. I must say I was surprised by the outcome of their first report to me. I guess SG fans are still not ready to actually pay for good music. It also shows me the depth to which this problem extends. Of the churches that contacted the group, most were at least medium sized (regular attendance of 200-300 on Sunday morning). This may just be one regional group's findings when starting to charge a flat, but if it is an indication of how every regional group would fare in the same circumstance it is not a good sign. I will keep you updated as they give me more reports. If you are in a regional group or have experience in the same circumstances please email me. gospelcommentary@yahoo.com

Mar. 26, 2005-

It's everyone's fault- Chuck Peters enlightened me a little on a statement I made in my last post. He said:

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