Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Join our Email Newsletter

Sunday Edition


31
Jul
2003
Editorial - I Deserve More Time


Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites [23] Comments

Deon Unthank

On the message boards not long ago the topic of local groups opening for the featured group was brought up. I found this interesting, because as a young singer coming up, The Lesters gave me a chance to open on several of their big concerts. They were gracious enough to allow me as a soloist and as the founder of a new group called The Sunday Edition to sing a song to warm the people up before the main groups took the stage. So, this practice of allowing local groups to sing, goes back a long ways. I was dumbfounded when someone in the discussion said that it wasn’t worth their time if they didn’t get 15 or 20 minutes to sing. Lest I get too righteous sounding here, let me tell you that I once made a statement similar to that, and a fine Christian lady was quick to set me straight. I said that I didn’t think that it would be worth our time to drive 100 miles to sing one song. This lady, who was a singer herself let me know that if we traveled 100 miles to sing one song and if one soul was saved because we ministered that one song, then it would certainly be worth our time and effort to do so. OUCH. I felt about two feet tall. Needless to say, if the opportunity to minister is availed to us, we do not hesitate to go, wherever it is within reason. Now back to opening for featured group at concerts. I encourage promoters to use local and regional talent, and I encourage local and regional groups to make themselves available to work with promoters. Let me say that it should STILL be considered an honor and privilege to get the exposure of singing on the main stage of any concert. Somehow local groups seem to have forgotten that. Promoters cannot afford to pay opening groups, but they usually allow them to sell their products. Here’s the secret, if you are good enough to be paid, then you will sell product, if not, then you probably need to hit the practice hall some more. So, at this point I would like to say a great big Thanks to The Lesters for allowing me and my group to open their concerts, and I would like to encourage all the other part-timers that are getting used by promoters to extend a thanks for their opportunity to sing before Pastors and Music Ministers who attend these concerts.

Reader Comments

Unethical? Where do you even come up with some of the things you post? Your comments don't even have anything to do with the article. The only flaw in here is in your post. Do you ever have anything good to say about anything?


Commented by On 08/12/2003
Deon Unthank's avatar Keith, You got that out of my article???? There are many forms of payment besides money. The exposure that these part-time groups is something that they could not give money for. It is more valuable than monetary payment.
As to selling CDs, if your group is good enough and your product is good enough, you will sell it no matter who you are on stage with.
Now, you seem to have missed the whole point of the article. The point is that if you have an opportunity to sing, whether it's one song or ten songs, you need to take advantage of singing, because you never know who you will be singing to, that YOUR song my reach that person's need, perhaps even being the nudge that allows them to be sensative to the Holy Spirit's drawing. There is nothing unethical about what I have written.
I see nothing "flawed" in my arguments.

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown



Commented by On 08/12/2003
My two cents worth falls between the article and Kieth's comments. I turn down SOME "opportunities" to sing 1 song, because the whole of my life's ministry is not standing on stage. Maybe a person will be saved because of my one song, but maybe I'll be more effective spending a longer period of time that evening doing something else. Exposure is good, and sometimes it's a blessing for a local group. Sometimes it's also a cheap filler for the promoter to pull in the local groups family and friends. In the many years I've been around, I've also seen several times that sound is set for the main draw and the local group just has to go sing their 10 minutes without a sound check and what they get is bad exposure.
Every open door may be an opportunity, but every door may not be a good opportunity. Life's choices aren't always between good and bad, sometimes they are between OK and fruitful. Sometimes the Lord can do great things thru one song, sometimes you might be more useful to the kingdom mowing the lawn for the widow lady across the street that evening.


Commented by On 08/13/2003
I'm agreeing with Jim Brown here...good points. Deon's right about what our attitude should be, but it works both ways. There are artists who will do ANYTHING to get on a particular promotion...and I mean ANYTHING...and ministry has nothing to do with it.


Commented by Tim Beitzel On 08/18/2003
I have sung baritone for ten years with the local group ... I have been "on the main stage" with several top groups ... have sung singings with several promoters ... those nights have been great and some have been really BAD ... like the PA being really BAD for the local and POOF when the big boys come up the PA is great ... (Deon ... maybe you can talk some on that topic) ...

Local groups should take the time to sing the openers ... they do result in singings in that area ... LOTS of churches are "there" at the singins LOOKING for goups to book for their church ... and open doors just "fly" open ...

Make the best out of every chance to sing to bigger events even if it is on your PA system or not ... what is in your heart WILL show ....


Commented by Jamey Parker On 08/18/2003
Deon,
It never fails. If you listen from the heart to what a person says with their lips, you will, in most, if not all cases, find the motivation for why someone does what they do "FOR GOD". I didn't see original comment, so I can't comment on that specifically. I don't know who wrote it and would not dare assume what the person had in mind when they did. In general, after singing for over 20 years on and off, all considered to be part time, I can honestly say, when singing from a spiritual plain, I didn't care if I sang 1 song to a hundred or 10 songs to 5. When I wasn't on that spiritual plain, I know no one will be surprised to hear my thoughts were a little different. If Jesus is "Lord Of Your Life" groups, and he is directing your path, you will get the time you need, you will get the money you need, and you will get the exposure you need. TRUST AND OBEY. There's no other way. Blessings to all the warriors on the battlefield.


Commented by Mike Charles On 08/19/2003
Deon Unthank's avatar Somebody needs to make a couple of comments on my article. Daryl Williams has more comments than me, and I don't like that.. LOL

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown



Commented by On 08/23/2003
Mike I was just about to say the same thing. When I first read Deon's article I thought yes but it is expensive to take a group to sing one song and not get paid. I have a new group just starting out. As a manager I want to do whats right. However, as I was reading over the article God just kept prompting me. If you love me you will do as I ask. Singing one song with the right heart is better than 50 with the wrong attitude. If you are in southern gospel for the money I think you are in the wrong place. I am in it only to glorify Him. If I go 100 places and get nothing money wise. Jesus will see that I have what I need. I am only 26 years young but the Lord has taught me many things about finances and trusting in Him.
Till He comes,
Brian


Commented by Brian Lawing On 08/28/2003
As an artist, I agree that I should be willing to sing anywhere I get a chance if the Spirit of God in me agrees. But is winning souls the only reason God gives us musical talent? Are there ways that God will let me earn a living in music that do not vex my spirit? If it's okay for a country singer to make a living singing songs that agree with the cultural values of his or her fans, why can't I make a living singing songs that are culturally valuable to Christians? Jesus said that we should not cast our pearls before swine. To me, that means that I should not present my music to anyone who does not appreciate it enough to pay for it. Those who pay for it will get the most out of it. But, again, anytime I get a chance to sing or play somewhere, I am more than willing to do so.

As for promoters, I just do not understand how a promoter who is selling tickets to an event can, in good conscience, ask someone to perform a service for him for nothing, including singing on stage. If he can't afford to pay the local group, don't ask them to sing. Or, if he is asking the local group to rely on CD sales, maybe he should ask the featured group to do the same. After all, if the featured group is that good, they will get what they are worth through CD sales. I just believe that one of the characteristics of the Spirit of God is that we treat people more fairly than does the world, even if we can't afford it.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit

- Galatians 5:25. 

My Blog



Commented by Keith Prater On 08/28/2003
"I should not present my music to anyone who does not appreciate it enough to pay for it." Do you sing to anyone? You know Keith, as long as I have been visiting and reading your comments I have yet to see you post anything positive.


Commented by On 08/29/2003
Page 2 of 3 Comment Pages  <  1 2 3 >

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member?

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
Remember my personal information
Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: