When I sat down to write this column, I had mixed feelings. Who would read it? What would they get out of it? And what more can be said that has not already been said before? Rick Hendrix Company has been successful because of our work with secular artists, gospel artists, placing new artists in the market place, bookstores, concerts, and doing what I am called to do. Then it hit me. Write a column that is not your typical "Today we signed blah, blah, blah," or "You can only get to this point by doing what I say," or "Your a waste of space to the gospel music world if you are a new artist."
Lets start with the new artist. New artists are expected to sit back and allow the well-lined producers, record executives, label owners, booking agents, and critics, to say "Its not your turn." Over the past few years, actually as long as I have been doing Southern Gospel radio promotions, I have heard, "The little, unknown groups are taking my dates, my sales, my chart positions." That's crazy! I have fought for new artists all my career. Rick Hendrix Company, Eddie Crook Company, and Daywind Music have all brought great talent to the table, with great results and success. Rick Hendrix Company was introducing and still continue's to introduce about 100 new artists a year to Gospel Music. I came from secular music, working for many larger named acts. Things are done differently in secular, where they take no one area for granted. They over turn any stones to get their artists out. That's how we believe. We don't care what worms, bugs, or snakes may be nesting and living under those rocks, keeping the spot for themselves. Those rocks are ours, yours, and whomever wants to turn them over. So, I thought I would write about how this industry needs to be turning over stones and not the other cheek.
I have had a few questions asked of me. Why does Rick Hendrix see so many new artists on the charts? I can answer so everyone can see.
1. New artists have not lost their vision.
2. New artists have not lost their desire.
3. New artists are still excited for the small things, and mostly very content and happy.
Let me go back to the early to mid nineties. When I was first asked these questions, it was strongly suggested to me that I should not be promoting new artists. I was asked, "Why are you putting these artist in book stores, on concert dates, and why are they charting? They will never amount to anything. They are taking up spots where the people that matter could be." I walked away and wondered what would happen to these new artist I was helping get radio play? Remember, these new artists at the time were The Steeles, New Hinsons, Crabb family, Tony Gore and Majesty, Ruppes, Martins, and Perfect Heart. So I asked myself, what I should do. I sat down and asked my wife. She said, "You have to do what's right, not what is easy."
I found my answer and I said "I respect your opinions and I appreciate your concerns, but I am going to continue promoting new artists." I did not stop promoting any of my current new clients. I called Maurice Templeton, owner of the Singing News magazine, and asked his advice. He told me, "The cream will rise to the top, keep churning it." I called Rick Francis at Gospel Voice and he gave my agency their blessings as well. Over the next 3 years, we scored number one songs Like "Please Forgive Me," "Trail of Tears," "Lamb, Lion and King," "I Got Up and Went," "God Kept His Promise," "Under His Wings," "I Must Tell Somebody," "Angels in the Room," "Old Ship of Zion," "Oasis," and more. I watched coliseums and crowds swarming to see these unknown artist. I am not saying we single handily pushed these artist to the top. The groups themselves and labels took massive roles in the industry and contributed to the timely success of these artists.
Everyone needs a Kathy Crabb (Crabb Family). An artist who called me the other day and asked, "How do we make it, win, and succeed?" I told him "An artist with a great label, booking agent, and sound is like having a gun with no bullet." In other words a group without a strong willed, fighter like Kathy Crabb is lost in a world of opening acts, poor or no radio, retail, and structure. Not utilizing every pair of hands at your label, with your churches, with the bookstores, is a grave mistake. It doesn't matter the talent. So in big letters lets say "IT WON'T COME TO YOU!! YOU, HAVE TO GO TO IT, OWN IT, AND RUN IT."
When I worked with Gerald and Kathy in the first years of their career, they left no stone unturned. They not only utilized the hands available to them, they supported those hands. They nurtured their network, they prayed non stop, they made 100's of calls, not a week, but in a day. They were the first group I had worked with that worked hard at building a fan base at the same time as building an industry presence. There are many success stories in gospel. But, if your a new artist, don't give up releasing your music, calling to expand your ministry, asking labels, myself, or booking agencies to consider you. You are not a waste of space. Your not taking anything these others artist and companies aren't trying to take for themselves. So, when you hear or read these things, remember nothing worth having is easy to get. No one can control you better than yourself. No one can tell you where you belong. And never stop the fight to get your music to radio, retail, and agents.
In a nut shell if I had listened to the naysayers, and some of the industry icons, we may never have heard or listened to some of the greatest music this side of Heaven. Radio promoters work. They have a STRONG purpose. So, get on the phones find a promoter that can help you. Call the labels, agencies, bookstores, and venues. LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED!!!
I am also going to leave you each month with a little trivia. One will be on artists and a separate one on the industry. We will read all comments below. The first 10 to answer correctly will receive a personal autographed CD of Josh Turners "Long Black Train," Hoppers, Hoskins Family, Florida Boys, and Heirline's latest CD's.
Artist trivia - What artist was it that opened and performed for the very first National Quartet Convention?
Industry Trivia - Who was the first successful radio promoter in Southern Gospel music?
Till next month,
Stay blessed,
Rick Hendrix
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http://www.rickhendrix.com
Author: RickBHendrix
| Author's Website: http://www.rickhendrix.com
Written: 01/31/2005
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Category: Monthly ArticlesLeave No Stone Unturned
Comments: 54
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Great article!! I like the trivia challenge!!
Great job Rick. The advise is right on target, I think. Every artist you mentioned, I have at some time work with. Some more than others but all of them I think are great examples of our leaders in todays Gospel Music Industry. Love you my friend and stay on this one.
Hi Rick, Thanks for encouraging new artists!
Rick- excellent job for your first article; you have said a whole lot of truth in what you've written. I open up the concerts here for a promoter from Pittsburgh, who has devoted his life to bringing SGM groups to western Pa. The crowds are often MUCH bigger for the "big" groups, but significantly smaller for the "lesser-known" groups. Yet- I have been absolutely amazed at the spirituality, energy, talent, Godliness, and stage presence of some of these groups that I had never heard of, until they came here. The bigtime groups were ALL "small-fries" once, and we need to remember that. In addition to all you've written, I would urge all true SGM to support ALL of these groups...you just may be the encouragement that they are looking for!
Hey Rick! Great article! It's nice to see somebody fighting for the new artists. I think sometimes groups forget that they too were "new" at one point. You do an awesome job and I know you will continue to do so.
Keep up the great work!
Hi Rick, great article and a lot of food for thought.
Thank youI hope we all can reach our dreams. I have tried many times.And I will continue.Great article-I will be on radio one day.
As one of the artists represented by you, Rick, I want to put it on the record that you and your people go out of your way to bring good solid guidance and welcome hope to your artists.
Rick, that was a really good article and I appreciate the help you give to new artist. You helped our group and with your help we charted in the Singing News. I like the idea that the cream rises to the top. I think good groups should persist in order to do just that. There is "NO Time to Stop" singing for the Lord. Keep up the good work that you do. Cathy
I really appreciate this. My family has traveled and sang gospel music for 2 years. We have recorded for record labels, NQC and some of the major promoters. You need to build a fan base. You can have the full efforts of a label and manager (without fans) you are hurting. Way to go Kathy Crabb too. I think it was JD and the Stamps at the first NQC in Memphis , TN./ Not sure on the record promoter.
By the way, The blackwood Brothers is my guess for the first group to sing at the first NQC
I just read the article and I have to say you have had some awesome talent. There was not always a Crabb Family and a Hoskins Family they were also want to be groups and now they are probably both in top 5 mived groups. I myself have a group and I like them have a dream to sing, what an inspiration folks like you are to our industery.
Great article Rick. This is encouragement that many new artists need.
Just finished reading your column and as usual you hit the nail on the head.....New groups are the life blood of Southern Gospel music, otherwise, we'd still be listening to The Rambos,The Blue Ridge Qt. and others(which ain't all bad by the way). There are some great new artists out there and they should take to heart your comment,"it won't come to you". Work, work, work....Pray hard...often and listen to the old timers of gospel music. Spreading the word of God is hard but a rewarding effort.
Wonderful article Rick and great food for thought. I am thankful for people like you and Nick Bruno and the others who take the time write these articles, answer questions, and recognize potential.
Rick,
Sorry for borrowing your "food for thought" line "Aunt Carolyn"...I will owe ya one!
Hey Rick, just read your comments and agree 100%.
Great article, Rick.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Great article, Rick. Everyone was a 'little-known'at one time.
I'd say J.D. Sumner & The Stamps was the first artist to sing at NQC. Radio promoter? Don't have a clue.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Rick, I wholeheartedly agree with you! The number one groups of this day didn't get to where they are by sitting back and worrying what the other groups would think. Would any of these groups every seen the # 1 spot on the charts if they didnt do everything in their power to get there. Had they left any stone unturned they may still not be a known group! Give it your best and go for it! If yo never go for it you will never get it!!!!
Rick : New Artists serve God also.Your article
Rick,
Thanks Rick to and your staff for releasing and promoting "Blackout At Calvary", on your recent compliation, as it was my first release to make the Singing News Top 80 Chart. Your confidence in me as a writer and a solo recording artist is appreciated. I am looking forward to future releases with the Rick Hendrix Co. I enjoy reading you column. Keep up the good work.
Great article Rick! May I take this opportunity to return the encouragement you have given to us and others. You have been an intricate part in getting the music of the "unknown" artists to radio. You helped us get 3 songs in the Top 80 position and for that we are grateful. More than that, your friendship and encouragement has been invaluable. Our prayer for you would be that God bless you beyond your wildest expectations. Love ya brother. Your doing a fantastic job!
What a great article! I am one of those new artists who came on board with the Rick Hendrix Company last year. Rick helped me score my first Singing News Top 80 song with my debut single.
Rick, Thank you so much for all you do to help new artists. This is a great article and it has renewed my hope in our group making it. We have gone through a lot of battles over the last few months and I was at the point of giving up. I thought all our efforts was useless but after reading this article, I have my enthusiasm back and ready to get to work spreading God's word through song!!! Again, thank you for your help and patience with us new artists.
Great article Rick. I know for sure what you are talking about. I am one of those "New Artist" and I'm glad we have partnered together. Thank you for taking the time to listen, encourage, and promote new artists like me. I will be forever grateful for your belief in my ministry and what God has called me to do. As a soloist, it is difficult, at best, to be taken seriously as a Southern Gospel Singer, but with you in my corner, and God directing us, I am confident that many doors will open as a result of our efforts. I believe God will continue to bless you as you bless others this way. Thank you for everything, especially your friendship. I love and appreciate you.
Great article, Rick. I think some of these music biz veterans forget that they, too, were once new to the field. I, like you Rick, have worked in secular music as well as the gospel field. I was there in the 70's with Maranatha!Music and all the early CCM groups like Love Song, I was there in 1979 in Nashville at Amy Grant's second show (in a sunday school room at the Hermitage Hills Baptist Church, I was there when Carman used to play at little 50-member churches, and on the secular side, I was part of the Seattle scene in the late 80's and early 90's when little bands like Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam were getting signed. I also was lucky enough to work, as a promoter in California in the 1970s, with such gracious Southern Gospel legends as Cecil Blackwood and Jake Hess who were always willing to talk to a fan or a young and hopeful quartet man such as me. I even called Cecil Blackwood and Hovie Lister at home a couple of times to bend their respective ears. They were nothing but graceful. Oh, there were jerks in southern gospel back then, too, and there were many singers who did not live like servants of the gospel. That's why Jake Hess had to have a morals clause in the contracts of the men he chose to be Imperials. Let us not forget that this is supposed to be ministry, not show biz. It's okay to be showmen(and women)but let's not forget that even the hugest megastars in the southern gospel music biz are but big frogs in a very very small pond as far as the music industry and the record buying public are concerned. Most of the people we meet on a daily basis have never heard of James Blackwood or Ronnie Hinson or Vestal Goodman or Rosie Rozell. They're never heard of Gold City or the Crabbe Family. They think of the Kingsmen as the band that sang "Louie Louie" and the Imperials as "Little Anthony and..." What I'm trying to say is: veterans... get a grip.
"IT WON'T COME TO YOU!! YOU, HAVE TO GO TO IT, OWN IT, AND RUN IT." Somebody watches Dr. Phil
Great article! It was refresing to see this type of viewpoint, and I've seen so many comments from encouraged artists, thanking your for helping them make the Top 80. So, you're getting another one from me! I really appreciate all that you've done for us, and the faith you've had in our music and group. Thank you again, and keep up the good work!
Rick,
I really enjoyed reading this article and I am thankful for people like Rick who promote new artist. Rick hendrix Company promotes a few of my favorite Southern Gospel groups. Also I believe that Rick has a true heart for ministry and has no other motives. I am glad to see some new artist sign with him for example The Hoppers and The Crabb Family. If it was not for these groups and others where would Southern Gospel be? Thank you Rick and DJ's for promoting great music.
Very good- I am glad some people still love the new blood- And I doubt SSQ sang at the first NQC-I doubt they were born.
Rick,
CONGRATS on your DOVE nominations. Sweetie we are happy for your company. I am SO excited about Young Harmony getting nominated. I wish Hoskins Family had some for you this year. But two out of 3 AINT bad.As (Meatloaf) said.
Thank you Sue,
Way to go! Great article-
Hey guys, I just signed with Rick Hendrix and my song will be going out to radio in March. I am so excited to see what his company can do for me. They have been extremly nice to me and always free to answer my questions. I am very thankful God has placed us together.
I totally agree with everything you said, I wish more people in the industry and even more so on the songwriting side would give new new names a chance to be heard.
Great first article Mr Hendrix.. keep 'em coming.
Rick,
Rick - awesome job!
Rick,
Self-empowerment - that's learning to respect other people's music, but dance to your own tune as you master harmony within yourself. (Doc)Insightful. Glad your well.
Well, I am so glad Rick wrote this article. Rick has such great wisdom and knowledge for new artist on the rise. He promoted my first top 80 after I left The Perry's. I have been with him ever since. I am thankful for all the hard work he puts into his artist as well as the dediation to them. I am honored to call him my friend, love you Rick.
rick has been a help to many
i know the answer i know the answer!!!! rick hendrix and jeff oneal--- did i get it right---
Thank you Rick for all that you have done to help our dreams become reality. No one believed in us until you reach out to us.
Great article Rick- I appreciate you giving new artist a boost. Keep on keeping on.
Hi, Rick, I really enjoyed your articles. This is good stuff. So, TRUE.
Thanks for fighting for new artist. Where can I send you a CD?
Congratulations on your number one song. Seems things are going well for you. Do you really think larger groups have lost their vision and purpose? I have met many local artist, that seem to think they are The Goodmans or Hinsons. Ego, arrogance and very VERY little talent.
I am in a SG group out of Texas. There is NO Southern Gospel down in Texas. The only station we had turned into a talk station. Can someone email me about possibly helping my group?
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