Can We Do Something Different?
This is the first in a series of monthly articles about the recording and production aspects of the Southern Gospel Music industry that I will write over the next few months. When the opportunity to write this article was presented to me, my first thought was “what can I say that hasn't already been said many times before?” First of all, I'll tell the truth about some of the things I have learned and hopefully, I can supply some insight from my experiences and perspective. Sure, I can write about recording preparation, rehearsal, song selection, airplay, radio compilations, various production methods, and so on; and I will. But this first time out, I think we should talk about the state of Southern Gospel Music.
Let's face it; Southern Gospel Music is in a rut. Overall quality is down and in some circles our industry isn't looked upon very favorably. Record labels are trying to cut costs any way they can because the market is small and sales are down. But does it make sense to cut corners in the creation process when it directly affects the quality of the music which is their main product? Can we do something different?
And how many times can we record the same songs, arranged the same way, and sell them to the same audience? Many record companies and producers won't even take time to be involved in the selection of the songs that end up on the album. Or, if they are, it might be to push their own songs to be recorded. Listen to any other form of music. I'm talking about music as an art form, not necessarily the lyrics or subject matter. Other genres of music don't just do the same songs over and over again. I used to do a lot of engineering for a well known Southern Gospel label. There was a period of time when, for several months, every group that came in to record was doing 3 or 4 of the same songs the group from the previous week did. Same songs, different group. The company must have had one pitch tape that they sent to every group that was considering a project.
Of course, the theory behind this practice is that the label might have the publishing on many of these songs. Therefore, if multiple groups record the songs, the publishing arm of the company stands to make money. You see, when the product is manufactured, the group is responsible for paying the royalties to the publishers of each of the songs on the album. If the record company has several of their songs on the album, they will receive payment from the group based upon the amount of product the group receives. Same songs, different group. There's nothing wrong with making a living, but when these practices affect the entire industry in a negative way, then we must pay attention. Industry people talk about trying to attract a younger audience to our music, but why would they want to listen to it? In today's world of instant communication, information overload and attention spans of mere minutes, why would they want to hear the same songs performed by many different groups? Do you?
Can we do something different? Can we record a song just because it's a good song and not because we have publishing on it? Can we try and be creative and give our music a fresh sound? Can we think a little more about the music and the message we're trying to convey and a little less about profits? I think we can and we must if the Southern Gospel music industry is to survive and flourish.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 10/01/2004
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Category: Monthly ArticlesThrough the Looking Glass
Comments: 4
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This is a very good article. I hope the industry heeds the message of this and future articles. I particularly liked the last couple of sentences.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Amen!!! You need to get on the subject of some of the local artists that don't pay royalties, and some of these groups that thinks its a sin to pay over 1500$ for a project, then gets mad at the local radio staion that don't play their music. Yes, there is such groups out here, I've played with at least 4 of them, till I've seen how they handle their recordings
Great article! You are dead on when you say that Southern Gospel music recycles to many of the same songs. Being in radio I can say that I will very seldom, very, very seldom, play a remake regardless of whom is doing it and how good it sounds. Nor will I play the same song done by two groups concurrently. I will always chose one and stick with it. Give me a new song or go away - I don't have the time to listen to yesterday's gems recycled nor do my listeners.
Much of the Southern Gospel record buisness is run simularly like the independent Country racket: where a group or an artist will fund their own project and it's promotion. (The two big words in the music game are product and promotion. And it takes a lotta cash to make it run). The record company, and it's buddies at the trade papers (who actually dictate the charts), make a good living from it. Some of these papers are actually owned by the record companies -- which gives their records more chart action. It's "legitimate", because they are doing the artist a favor by playing the middle man. It's a great way to make money if you are a producer.
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