Illegal Immigration And Southern Gospel Music
About This Article
Written: 08/01/2005 
Author: Nick Bruno
Category:
Monthly Articles
,
The Gospel Truth
Comments: 57 
Favorited:
Add this entry to Your Favorites
Email this article
RSS
feeds
(What's an RSS feed?)
The Immigration and Naturalization service (INS) estimates that there are at least 10 million illegal aliens living in the United states, and the number is growing by about 500,00 per year.
Illegal immigration is a crime. Sneaking into the country (legally referred to as “Entry Without Inspection –EWI”) is a misdemeanor, but if repeated, becomes a felony.
The fact is that illegal immigration causes substantial harm to American citizens and legal immigrants, and it causes an enormous drain on public funds. It contributes to the dramatic population growth, overwhelming communities across America – crowding school classrooms, consuming already limited public housing and increasing the strain on natural resources like water and energy.
In California, pregnant illegal aliens sneak across the border to give birth in America. They are treated to the finest care (at our expense) and when they give birth their child is an American citizen, with all the privileges and rights that come with that honor.
In Tennessee, an illegal alien can walk up to the counter at the Department of Motor Vehicles and walk out with a drivers license, while an American citizen may have to produce up to 4 pieces of documentation to accomplish the same thing.
According to a recent poll (as reported by the Washington Times) 77% of Americans believe the government is not doing enough to control the borders.
There is a reason that most of us are opposed to illegal immigration that goes deeper than crowded classrooms, and over-burdened housing and natural resources. It has to do with our human nature and the pride we take in our accomplishments.
The “Truth” is…we don’t like it when others try to short circuit the system and gain entry without doing things the right way. There is always a correct and proper way to do things, and when we’ve done our best to play by the rules, our human nature flares up when others try to sneak in. It goes against our nature to accept those who are not willing to play by the rules.
THERE IS A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN AMERICA AND THE WORLD OF SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC.
The correct legal definition of Illegal Immigration is EWI –Entrance Without Inspection.
Currently in SGM we are over-run with artists that are classified EWI – Entrance Without Inspection. We are no longer a professional industry. We have become an amateur industry that also has professional artists.
Before I go any further I want to clearly state my position.
I am not saying we don’t need amateur artists. We need all the new artists we can possibly get, they are our future. My argument is that amateur artists should not be put forth as representing the professional SGM industry.
You don’t make the mail room boy the CEO. You don’t put a high school freshman baseball player in the major leagues. There are many mailroom clerks that have gone on to become the CEO of their company and plenty of high school ball players that have gone on to become stars…but not until they were groomed and trained for the position.
In the Singing News Top 80 chart for the month of July, 45 of the 80 slots are occupied by amateurs, in my opinion. What we are saying to the world is… “These 80 artists are the best we have to offer…45 of them still don’t know how to sing professionally”.
Does this make sense to you? First of all, we don’t need a Top 80 chart. It only fuels the fire for the ego driven amateurs that would do just about anything to see their name on the chart. Billboard has a Top 100, but their market is huge compared to SGM...about like the difference between a basketball and a dime. It makes sense for them, but not for us.
WE NEED A TOP 20….PERIOD.
Now, if you’re an amateur artist that wants to get in the top 20, I say…knock yourself out. There are 20 slots, if you’re good enough to earn one of those positions, more power to you.
THE FOUR LANE HIGHWAY
Imagine an unguarded 4 lane highway between Mexico and the United States. How do you think that would affect our illegal immigration problem? I can tell you how. We’d all be speaking Spanish!
Well we have one of those highways in SGM…it’s called custom recording, and it is the primary reason our industry is in trouble right now.
Custom recording is a service that is vital to our industry when applied as it was originally intended, as a method for amateur artists and others to pay for their recordings and sell them over the table. The artists can make a profit and grow their business. Some will succeed to the point that a major label will pick them up, others will not.
The majority of custom recording is done by amateur artists. Some of these artists are selling enough product to be noticed by the major labels, but most are not and never will.
I believe history will prove that one of our darkest days was the day one of these custom recording companies decided to make a compilation of amateur artists and send it to radio. That was the day we turned what was a needed resource for amateur artists into a money making scam for custom recording companies.
Today anyone with a check book can sneak into our industry, (EWI), make a recording and send it to radio. There is no one watching, and no one protesting (except me), and even worse, no one that seems to care.
Currently, the majority of recording in our industry is custom recording by amateur artists. Their main goal is to get a song on the charts and “get their name out there”.
Recently I received a SG magazine in the mail. The magazine is 24 pages. There are 27 ads on those 24 pages, all by amateur artists, and they all say exactly the same thing, “Thanks DJs for charting our new single, “Song Title”.
It makes me want to scream!
THE SOLUTION
You know I never leave you hanging, so here is my solution to the problem.
Illegal immigration can be stopped in its tracks by doing one thing:
Ensuring that illegal aliens will not be able to obtain employment, public assistance benefits, public housing, or any other tax-payer benefit.
You take away the carrot…the rabbit goes home.
Now, obviously we can’t go around to all these custom recording companies and padlock their doors, although the thought has crossed my mind.
The answer is to raise the bar.
First of all, we only need a top twenty chart. This would ensure that the chart would more accurately reflect the groups that deserve to be there.
Secondly, we need about 10 or 12 of our best radio stations to be computerized and make them our charting stations. Our industry is not big enough to have all the reporting stations we have. This would hopefully make the top twenty list more accurate.
Now, having done these two things, I believe the problem would take care of itself. The custom recording companies could keep operating and making their pitch to the amateur artists. The artists could keep taking out their ads and sending songs to radio.
Everybody would be happy.
Except for the fact….that, with the bar raised….only the artists that are truly worthy will make it on the chart. TAKE AWAY CARROT…RABBIT GO HOME.
Brilliant!
As always, I welcome your comments,
God Bless You,
Nick Bruno
http://www.nickbruno.com
Reader Comments
-
I am an amateur artist. I have much to learn, and I admit that. I have enough money to make CD-R's of music I recorded in my home studio (definitely not comparable to the big time). I am proud of my work. I would not, however, feel comfortable sending what I have done to radio, simply because I know that it is not good enough. It is the best I can do with what I've got, but it just doesn't compare.
The sad part is, in my opinion, that some of the major, professional groups seem to have lost quality in recent years because of custom recording. The last SG CD I bought was a custom recording of a well-known group, and while it does stand out among others, it is definitely not up to par with their previous releases.
I remember when gospel radio was playing songs that were well-produced, professional label releases (anyone remember HEARTWARMING/BENSON or WORD/CANAAN?!). Their releases were right up to par (and even exceeded some) main stream country, and even pop records. Their emphasis was on quality, not on quick cash or self-promotion. -
There is no doubt the "business" of "professional" Gospel groups and artists has plenty of pressure.
Professional singers can sing about knowing the Lord, and what the Lord can do, after never experiencing any of it.
I think what the concern is--is Dumping. Dumping all the artists "they" can on the market. This is also happening in the secular market. Everybody wants a Payout.
The church will figure out who the ministers are.
But the ministry of "professional" Gospel groups and artists still exists where the hearts are pure, the lyrics are not shallow, and the desire is to glorify God.
The local church is still a haven of plenty of talent. -
Nick, the problem I have with your comment is that it's not only some of the "amateurs" out there who mabye lack some professional sound. There are groups out there who have simply been grandfathered in and are now "professional" I guess just because they have been singing for years. I know of several "amateur" groups who have a more polished and professional sound than some of your grandfathered in deemed professional groups. So if these seemingly feeble "amateur" groups can jump above your top 20 "professional" groups because they sound better great. Let's not hold them back because they have not been traveling for 20yrs yet.
Please let me end by saying I do agree that there is some pretty ear shattering stuff out there! However, If those type of groups are reckless enough to spend big bucks for little hope well, what can we do.
In His Service-
Scott -
Having worked with Nick as an artist and songwriter, I can tell you from experience that he is all about professionalism. He even helped me come up levels as a songwriter: gave me the first real and true constructive criticism. Those comments five years ago helped me to become a better songwriter, to the point that I cringe when I think of some of the fluff I played for him in demos. Also, he inspired me to continue honing my craft as a singer--in harmony. Anyone can try to sing the lead, but parts take work. Nick requires the harmony to be RIGHT on any project with his name on it. Working hard at making it as close to perfect as it can be? Gee, maybe he's actually a professional and not the freshman ball-player!
As for the four-lane highway, he is correct. However, it comes down to the radio staion manager/dj to actually listen to the material they play. I talked to one dj, and he was so proud of playing "everything I get".
Other stations only play twenty songs, and if you leave and come back a month later, you haven't missed much. You MIGHT hear something new.
If it ain't good, don't air it; no matter how much $$$ is thrown at you. Have some scruples, for the listener's, and the artist's sake! -
Promoters would go bankrupt if they had to rely on your so called "professionals" all the time.
Should we outlaw the farm system of regional groups trying to get to a higher level?
What happen to the inclusive spirit we are taught to represent?http://www.gospelmusicfan.com/
“dedicated to the heartbeat of Southern Gospel Music”Southern Gospel Music in New England?
Click on New England -
Nick - you're the man! Now if we could just get Simon Cowell to spend a week at NQC and parade everybody in front of him that thinks they can sing, it would probably take care of our problem very quickly!
-
I think Nick is right on a lot of things here. There is only one problem.. There is a huge difference in our industry verses the secular music industry. In the secular world, a major record company such as Sony, RCA, ect.. give signing benefits that include large amounts of cash. Also they agree to record the album and promote you for a period of time. If you flop and don't sale, you're done.
In our industry the record companies can't and don't offer these benefits because our industry and record companies are small. Often for new artists they have to pay in upward amounts of $10,000 or more to record and release to radio. In our industry's situation it would make it extremely difficult for new talent to develop properly if the tables were turned as Nick suggests. The reason most of the "amateur artists sound bad" is due to the fact most can't afford to hire a professional producer and record a professional album with professional instruction, not because the talent isn't there. I agree with Nick on all sides of this article other than the solution. In order to fix the industry as a whole, I believe:
-We eliminate a percentage of the reporting stations as Nick said. (AM stations for the majority, not all, but most. Most don't even reach 10,000 listeners at best.)Most of the larger market stations have a higher standard as to who they play. Don't get me wrong, we need the smaller stations, but we shouldn't gauge artists’ success and accurate play by the smaller markets.
- Radio must raise the bar for those folks who insist on recording independently.
-Professional record companies should take excelled amateur artists and give them their shot. Produce them, promote them, and assign an agent to them to promote them to a larger market, such as, larger contemporary and Southern Gospel events. Help them get a shoe in by opening for bigger artists.
- The chart should be top 40 not 20.
- Someone is going to have to step in to insure the charts are not persuaded by radio promoters. Promoters should only promote the song and try to obtain more air play. Not call the stations and because they have become good pals with the charting DJ, be able to ask favors.
-Industry leading recording companies are going to have to pursue secular marketing (a must) if we want the industry to succeed and grow.
-Amateur artists need to realize that there is a difference in the terms amateur and professional. Being an amateur doesn't mean that you are not just as good as the rest or that you're bad. It doesn't mean that you are not good enough to be played on radio. This is just a classification of experience and knowledge of the art, craft, profession WE ALL as artists have chosen/been called to do. The term amateur used by Nick wasn't intended to downgrade anyone. I am part of an amateur group myself. Our group has been ministering for the last five years and full-time for the last year. I, as every one of you, feel that we have a great ministry, great sound, and just as good of a chance to make it out there as anyone. But, being professional starts by realizing where you are and having a vision. If I have learned anything at all, I have learned to stop and listen, learn what others who have been there have to say. Soak in as much knowledge as you possibly can. Everyone wants to know how to make it!!!?? Realize where you are in your career/ministry, center your life on God, quit trying to prove to everyone that you are just as good as they are, improve your skills, and pursue your dream with knowledge. For those of you who were offended by this article, I say wake up! If you truly want to make it, if you want to succeed, the industry has to succeed as well. If you don't want to be treated or referred to as amateur, don't think like one. This is a ministry, this my passion, but this is also my career.
I could go on about this forever, but the point is that the ones who see the light are the ones who are going to succeed. Those of you who have the attitude "I'm not in it for a show, and those who are should just quit" is mostly a cop-out for those who are not gaining much success. I'm not saying that there isn't anyone in this industry who is in it for JUST themselves. But I would bet that 90% of our major artists are just as ministry minded as you if not more. That is why GOD has allowed them the success they have. Those who feel so critical to the industry need to just not worry about any of this. Don't respond to these articles, or give advice on the charts, or ask "how do I make it in SG" because your not it for yourself remember?? Don't even try to play the industry if you feel this way. The bottom line is the "Industry" is not here to lift up God, "THE PEOPLE WHO SING AND MINISTER ARE." The industry is here to make money to support our cause. The MINISTERING comes when you hit the stage.
Recent Articles
Articles Archives