I have heard a lot of debate over the last few years about whether Southern Gospel should use that name or something else such as American Christian music. The argument goes that the term Southern Gospel has a poor reputation and carries with it baggage. It infers the music is poor quality or campy. They say that many churches when hearing that a group is from this genre, refuse to book them stating that they prefer a contemporary style instead. I’ve had a few groups ask if they should simply call themselves “Christian” or “Gospel” artists. I’ve decided to discuss this knowing that I’m going to make a few of you upset.
Let’s start with why people have a poor image of what SG is. If you turn on the radio, you will hear a few songs whose quality merits its place on public air. Unfortunately, between the good songs are numerous songs by artists who can’t afford to record professionally. The sound is sub-par and shouldn’t be on the radio. There may be a few people who enjoy it but the mass audience we are trying to reach hears and it and is turned off from the whole genre. Groups across the board have to strive for excellence. Radio stations should also. It should be hard to get onto radio. It should be very hard to get on the charts. This is a reflection of our entire industry. Quality should matter.
Another reason we have a poor reputation is that many of our groups lack a professional image. When you sing at your local church its OK to be this way but when you throw yourself onto the national scene you need to be prepared. Many groups put little effort into ensuring what they deliver on stage is top quality. They spend little time rehearsing and come across campy. They tell old recycled jokes they heard someone else tell. If George Younce and Gerald Wolfe received royalties from their jokes, they’d be rich. If you call yourself a professional, be one. Luckily there are some out there trying to teach this such as Allison Durham Speer at her Elijah Conference, a must for any artist. You not only hurt yourself but every group that comes after you.
If a church doesn’t like Southern Gospel, calling yourself something else wont change their opinion of you. You will leave the listener confused when you title yourself “progressive” and then put on concert right out of the Southern Gospel handbook. Dressing modern on your CD cover or poster only works if you are actually that way in concert. You disconnect with your listener. You can call a hamburger a steak but I’ll know as soon as I bite into it and then I’ll never trust you again. The same goes for a pastor. In essence they are buying a product when they book you, don’t mislead them.
Ok, so here’s my point. If we start a trend by calling ourselves something else without correcting the problems that ruined our previous name then all we will accomplish is ruining the new term. The solution to our dilemma is to step up as a industry and produce better quality. Let’s embrace our heritage and our name and strive to be the quality that groups like the Statesmen and others were. Luckily we do have some great ambassadors right now showing people that SG can be incredible. Jason Crabb winning a Grammy and Signature Sound's mass appeal proves that when done well, people respond. Its not the name, it’s the product that counts. We have the ability to change the perception we have but it starts one group, one CD, one concert at a time. It’s in your hands.
Matt Felts
Beyond Measure Marketing
http://www.beyondmeasuremarketing.com
Author: Matt Felts
| Author's Website: http://www.beyondmeasuremarketing.com/
Written: 02/02/2010
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Category: Marketing 101 - Matt Felts
Comments: 3
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QUALITY IS STILL QUALITY and JUNK IS STILL JUNK!
SoundMan
You're right; this topic has been discussed many times. Before re-hashing the issue, it would have been helpful if you had presented a summary both sides best arguments fairly. Why raise the issue if you cannot at least add something new to the debate?
Tony Partigianoni
http://www.ksgm.com/images/gospel.gif
Pure SGM & Quartet-Style Singing
http://www.ksgm.com
Matt I actually agree with you whole heartedly. Radio is one of our beiggest problems, and the other is labels and single promoters willing to promote anyone or any thing for a buck. Contrary to the previous comment, I do disagree that "we" expect SG to be held to a higer degree of quality than any other genre. On the contrary, we need to be held to the same. Great music, performed as flawlessly as humanly possible, with a spirit of Christ. Anyone of those elements fail, and I personally lose interest quickly. Go over and read Jancie Crows recent article.....she is right on the money!
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