TV Executives are amazed at the drawing power of the TV show American Idol. Nothing can compete against it. Not the Winter Olympics, not the Grammy Awards. The audience for American Idol is two to three times larger than anything competing against it in the same time slot. Why does this show have such an amazing following? Because people love to cheer for the little guy. People like to see someone with talent make it to the top. I’m people and I love to see people with talent make it to the top.
On American Idol the singers fall into 3 categories.
1- There are some that clearly have the talent to go all the way.
2- There are some that have potential, with some help, to become much better.
3- There are some that are simply awful…so bad that it’s funny…which is precisely why they’re on the show, but they think they’re good and take offense at being told how bad they really are.
You can hear them on the way out…”That Simon don’t know what he’s talkin’ about”, or “I’m gonna’ be a big star someday and they’re gonna’ be sorry”, or “I sang great...those people are deaf”.
It’s truly amazing to hear these untalented people go on and on…attacking the messenger, but unwilling to accept the “Truth”, however, 26 million viewers can clearly see that these “wannabees” don’t stand a chance.
Now, what do you suppose would happen if the American Idol executives decided to make recordings for all the artists, good, bad, and awful, and send out singles to secular radio? It’s almost ridiculous to consider…BUT…my friends, that is exactly what we have done in SGM. We have taken the good, bad, and awful, thrown it all into one basket and declared to the world… “This is Southern Gospel Music”…and the world has responded with a great big yawn.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Now, before you start throwing shoes at the computer, hear me out.
I read all your comments, and some months I go back and read my article again, just to make sure you are all reading the same article I wrote.
I choose not to respond to the comments because I feel that I’ve had an opportunity to express my opinion, and the comments section is your chance to respond. However, I must set the record straight on some of my views.
Radio Promotion
Every artist can benefit from radio promotion when they are ready…WHEN THEY ARE READY. That is the key, that’s what I believe, that’s what I preach. You can send all the emails you want saying I’m against radio promotion, but my position is clear and is verified by my articles and my actions. We’ve just released our first Song Garden compilation disc. Two of the nine songs are by amateur groups that have worked hard to get ready. They are on the disc because we have taken the time to select a good song, arrange it properly, get the vocals right, and get a good mix. In other words…we have helped the group get a radio worthy song, which is a far cry from the current practice of sending any group to radio that can come up with the money…that’s what I’m against.
I’m for the little guy.
Reducing The Chart Positions
I firmly believe that we have too many chart positions. We have lost the drive to excel. Every student can’t be the valedictorian. Every team can’t finish first. If you give every contestant a trophy, you take the away the reason for the competition. When you do this you destroy the human spirit, which is genetically programmed to compete.
To those of you that are complaining that reducing the chart to a top 40 would shut out every one but the professional artists, I point you to this month’s Singing News chart. There are seven (7), yes 7 amateur artists who have made it to the top 40.Now how in the world did that happen? Can it be that they actually worked hard to get ready? Hmmmm?
I’m for the little guy.
Getting The Music Right
To me, it’s about getting the music right. It’s not about putting anyone down, or degrading anyone. I believe that we veterans have a responsibility to help the new guys get it right. I recently received an email from a group I worked with. The one statement that stood out was this: “Nick, we so appreciate your helping us ‘Get it right’, you are the greatest Champion for the little guys in SGM”. Folks, I cherish those words. Helping the little guys get it right is what we’re supposed to do. Sometimes the little guys don’t want to listen to the “Truth”, but would rather listen to those that tickle their ears with “Blue Sky” promises. Allowing the con artists to continue to take advantage of our little guys…I’m against that…with all my might. I’m for the little guy.
To me, it is a ministry…helping the little guys get it right, and that means telling them the truth, even when they don’t accept it.
Let’s say you’re considering buying a car and your friend comes to you and says “Don’t ever, ever, buy a car from that dealer. He’s the biggest crook in town”. But you don’t listen to the truth; you’re too caught up in a hot, red convertible. A month later the hot, red convertible blows up. Should you be mad at your friend for telling you the truth or at yourself for not listening?
All those terrible singers who are booted off American Idol because they have no talent can grumble all they want, but the truth is they have no business being there. Why is it that every household in America can see that? Because it’s the TRUTH. We may like the ones who get voted off, we may think they are sincere people, but it’s the one with talent that works hard that is usually the winner.
Hundreds of groups get caught up in the false hope of radio promotion every year. They waste God’s money buying “hot, red convertibles” from crooks, because they’re not ready for that aspect of their career, then they get mad at me. Hey…I’m the one telling you the truth…get mad at the crooks. I’m for the little guy.
The answer to the ageless question, “How do you get started in Gospel Music?” was best given by James Blackwood , who said, “First you must have some talent, that will get you into the room, after that it’s lots of hard work”.
That’s what I did…that’s what I preach…that’s what I teach. I’m for the little guy.
In closing, I would like to say a few words about my friend, Anthony Burger.
In 1977 I made the decision to quit traveling and devote myself to producing. At the time I was the pianist for the Kingsmen, and some of my friends questioned why I would want to leave one of the hottest groups in Gospel Music. The simple answer was that I was doing so much studio work that I didn’t have a life with my family. I had to give up something, and I felt that I could contribute more, and be more fulfilled in the studio than I could on the road.
My replacement was a 16 year old named Anthony Burger. It took me about fifteen minutes to show him everything I knew, and he was off and running. The rest, as they say, is history.
I’ve always been proud of Anthony and what he accomplished. I’ll miss him.
As always, I welcome your comments.
God Bless You,
Nick Bruno
http://www.songgardenmusic.com
Author: Nick Bruno
| Author's Website: http://www.nickbruno.com/
Written: 03/01/2006
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Category: The Gospel Truth
Comments: 15
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Excellent article. We will do more harm than good if we promote ourselves before we are ready. Do we really want everyone to know how bad we sound? Reducing chart positions provides more incentive to work harder. Besides, there are not enough high-quality artists to fill 80 positions. But the most important thing, if you are a singer or musician, is that the music is good. It can't get any simpler than that.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
The problem when you say hard work. Most of the industry definition of getting into the room is not talent anymore. It is how much can you pay me. The hard work and talent has been replaced by the all mighty dollar. Your talent does not get you in the door anymore. I tell you by experience in talent contest(at least gospel talent comtest), that this is the order that they judge your talent. Marketability, looks, dress, age, presentation and at last vocal ability. Your talent and vocal ability is last on the list if you make it to the finals or semi finals in gospel talent searches. It is the overall package. They will tell you that the best talented person may not win. As far as american idol why do they pick someone for the finals or semifinals that does not have talent? Out of the thousands of entrants that should not happen. I think it is all about entertainment and they have to have someone to make fun of just to entertain people.
Betty, I understand your frustration. But I ask: Why are you looking to the industry for your success? Are you a good singer? Do you understand music? Do you write and sing good songs? Has the Lord called you? If these things are true, why are you subjecting your music to the industry? We can have success apart from the industry. We do not need to record labels to accept us. We do not need radio to accept us. What we DO need is diligence. Diligence to honestly appraise our music and improve it. Diligence to make ourselves known and available to the Church. Diligence to deal with our talents the way the servants who received five and two talents did in parable of the talents. If we do that, doors will be opened and we will have success -- completely independent of the music industry. We need to change the mindset that somehow the industry is the gatekeepers of music. Once we realize that the industry is not the gatekeeper, we will be free from the frustration you expressed.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Being both the little guy and solo (wondered about that name, huh) I can relate. Yes, talent, song and arrangement... production, distribution, promotion. I think it takes time and dedication. What I wish is that we all could realize that God gives us the talents to use, and if you are called to use your talent for the building of His Kingdom BUT we have to manage the business side. We have to not spend the stupid money and take it a day at a time under HIS will but under being good stewards of His business. I agree with Betty on some points but I cannot judge, again that is His job!
Great article Nick. We recently were involved with a recording company that sold us a "Red convertible". It was a package deal for x amount of dollars. I wish I had read your book before getting into this deal, and if I had, we would not be where we are now. If a company tells you that you are going to get this and that, when you start seeing some shady things going on, get on top of it then.....Don't wait....or you will wind up with nothing but broken promises and a lot of heartache over it. Thanks again Nick for taking a stand in SGM and not being afraid of telling the truth.
As we observe what is going on in the world at large for the past several years - with religious terrorists etc. - people have often asked, "Why don't the people in their religion who DON'T support this kind of thing stand up and say so? Why so much silence when so many people are being harmed?"
The "little guy" will always "make it" if he has talent and it's the Lord's will for his life. One of my least favorite things to hear when someone stands to sing to me is, "Don't listen to how we sing this song, listen to the words." This is impossible and it's always horrible. I cannot hear the words for the terrible singing. Why should we settle for second rate music and singing for a first rate King? The men and women who blazed the trail for all of us "little guys" sang for hours and hours perfecting their placement and annunciation. They didn't settle for second rate performances for their King and it showed in their concerts. As for American Idol, I've noticed in the tryouts, they may be good but as they work with the team in Hollywood, they can become the best of the best. What's wrong with us? Why can't we use what we have available to us to be the best we can be for SGM. We may not have the team American Idol has but we do have tapes and seminars we can attend to learn about singing and presenting ourselves to audiences. In closing, it's time to for us "little guys" to stop whining and get better at what we do for the King. Leave the rest of it up to God as He will open the doors for us as He sees fit.
Talent is seperate from a calling or gift. Talent has to be worked at just as a calling - and the gift is, well...free from GOD. Some people are born with it. God intends them to use the gift as He sees fit. This just does not always happen just as the gift of life is refused by not accepting Jesus as Savior. Life comes the way it does and we choose the roads that we travel most often ourselves. As for the little guys - Hey I thought there were no such thing as "BIG I's or little u's" in the Kingdom. There is however a robe and crown to earn. Remember the parable of the tallents. You must earn the increase on the free gift. "COMPETITION" is a nasty word to use in reguards to Christianity...we are to help each other. I was in a talent contest ONCE and said NEVER AGAIN. Out of over 50 I placed 18 which is pretty okay I guess but the reason I decided not to do it is because the spirit of competition was too nasty. I clapped for all singers yet no one else seemed to care that the singers were pouring their hearts out for JESUS - it was like get on with it so we can see if "I" won or not. NO THANKS on the competition topic. There is no room for finger pointing and putting people down when they just want to sing for Jesus if you ask me. It would have to be the LORD to get me to do that again. YET ON ANOTHER LEVEL...Who wants to turn on the radio (our source of entertainment) and listen to AWEFUL singing? NO NOT ME! So I can see the POINT everybody is making. I say if you are considered a little guy...WORK AT BEING THE BIG MAN TILL YOU MAKE IT! Bravo for the efforts if you never do...just be sure to do it for the LORD not the $$$$$$$$$$$$$! Yes I know it takes the money, every month that rolls around and the bills come due, TRUST ME I KNOW WE NEED $$$$$$$!
PS. I heard today a preacher said that just because you have marketing and exposure that does not make you ANOINTED and just because you have a following that don't mean GOD is with you!
Hey Nick
Nick,
I love all of your articles. I think part of the problem in the industry today is that people have bought into the worldly aspect of success. Their definition of success is getting that radio airplay. Ransomed is being played on several stations throughout the country and a couple overseas, but guess what-we travel in Texas only. Why-because it isn't about us, it is about the message.
I agree with Christy, if it sounds terrible (and many do)then I miss the message and possibly the fulfillment that comes with the songwriter's intent. When it becomes important to us as Christians to work at and become our best for the Lord, then we can see some change.
Why is it happening in Southern Gospel? Because the world has creeped in, just like we complain about CCM. By staying silent(as mentioned by several people) the message of our music is being hurt most of all. Who wants to hear something with a good message, but it sounds so horrible that they strain to get past that?
I am glad you keep pointing these things out Nick. I hope you never quit. Change comes slowly, but if we are patient and keep beating the drum, people will start to listen.
The measure of success should be based on God's ideals, not on our own.
Ransomed
Go therefore, and teach all nations,...
Again I ask a simple question: Where are the OTHER industry leaders who know Nick is telling the truth? Why are they remaining silent?
Thanks again for speaking the truth so well. I would suggest that radio stations stop playing songs that are not in the top 40. This would be a step in the right direction.
Hey guys, I was reading over your comments about "2nd rate singers" and such, and I feel that a singer like Johnny Cash may not be a first rate vocalist, but when he sings...people LISTEN.
Good article,but I agree with a few others. I entered a National Talent Search last year and made it to the Semi-finals..to find out the spirit is no different than that of the world. I was glad in one way that I made it that far, God showed me that was not the place for me or direction to go w/the talent HE has given me. I was most disappointed in many ways...not because I didn't make it..after I left there, I said NO MORE. I learned quickly that the SG Industry is no different than that of the secular world. The Lord will provide a way and the means to get HIS Message out and I don't need someones record label to do it.
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