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Sunday Edition


31
Jul
2003
Editorial - I Deserve More Time


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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

As one who tried to promote several concerts a few years back I have to give thanks to the "local" groups that were willing to be a part of my concerts without charge. I had about 3 local groups or artisits perform for about 5 minutes each and then brought on the featured group. The local groups were all excited to be promoted with and appearing with these "pro" groups. They enjoyed the backstage time with the pro groups and hopefully learned from them and made friends. Unfortunately, I lost money on each concert. I barely paid the featured groups and had some of the best at the time. I wouldn't have been able to pay the locals. I always considered myself a good promoter but it just didn't work out. I still have a list of items we sold from our home in order to pay for a "pro" group that lived only an hour away. We had committed to 4 concerts and each one just drained us more. So Thank You to the "locals". Maybe if I'd have promoted them as opposed to the pro groups I wouldn't have lost financially. We did however have some great programs even with low attendance. The problem here seems to be lack of a quality facility to have a good concert. Few promoters can fill the local civic center due to poor sound and seating conditions but some actually do. My biggest "problem" is that groups charge promoters so much to "perform" and then sing in a church 30 miles away the next day where it's strictly a love offering. I think that hurts the promoters. How many other music genre's work in this fashion of paid one night and love offerings the next night? Thanks for listening. Be Blessed.


Commented by On 08/29/2003
Deon Unthank's avatar Keith, if you have ever been involved in a group then you would know that exposure is far more important to an up and coming group than is money. The promoter is GIVING them an opportunity for exposure. You seem to be having trouble understanding how the music industry as a whole works. Secular artists sing for "tips" using the same principle. The promoter is not taking advantage of the local artists, he is giving them a break. Local groups who have to get paid before they sing rarely get anywhere.

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 08/29/2003
This is all very interesting! I have been singing with a P/T group for 24 years and have had the opportunity to sing for nothing, and also get paid a small amount. I have enjoyed all of them and try not to turn any of them down so long as it is reasonable for us to make the engagement. In other words, "pay" is not the priortiy with us, but the opportunity to share the "good news of Jesus Christ" is. When we obey Him, our ministry will prosper, both spiritual and financial.


Commented by Morgan Hill On 08/30/2003
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