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I am sure you have come to the conclusion that- YES!!! Bad press does sell. I learned years ago in the music industry- no press is bad press. Now, that does all depend on how you spin it. I think even in life, the bad can be good. We have to look at things for what they can be. We have to focus on the Why! Not the What! Over the years I have found myself the target of rumor, gossip and flat out lies. I even earned myself a National Enquirer story, a flash on Inside Edition and all the tabloid drama that comes with bad press. Today I look at bad press differently.

First- I am always answering my calling. I am always talking to God. I am always letting him be the CEO of my life and company. If you are truly answering your calling, no matter the storm-it will all work for the good of the Kingdom and the worker.

Second-have a clear and decisive plan on who you are-and what you intend on accomplishing. Once you have this in your mind and set in stone, let them throw all the rocks they can. Remind yourself-NO amount of pain, pressure, rumor or gossip will destroy your own goals and dreams.

Third- Defend the necessary and let the rest advertise who and what you are. No matter what people are saying, it gives those people a chance to approach you, hear you or visit your shows and really see what you are about. If your doing it for God and have your goals set, then let the good and bad press push the new folks to you-And guess what? They are going to love you. Why? For who you really are. Not what the rumor hobbyists say you are.

In dealing with the naysayers all these years, I have learned that most of those that hate you-don't even know you. The things people say about you aren't even close to what you really feel and think. I was talking with one of my artist the other day and they didn't wanna read the bad press. They didn't wanna see what people said about them. I tried to remind them. What people say only affects you if you are not happy with yourself. If these things bother you. Sit down and map out your plan again. Write down all the things that you don't like about yourself or your career, set new goals and fight like a mad dog to win them. And remember 90% of criticism is jealousy. Only 10% of gossip,criticism and slams are from true genuine knowledge of the artist.

I think the reality of good and bad press set in during the CMA Awards. One of my artist were standing over a crack in the stage rocking back and forth. I walked up to her and said are you stuck? She said no I am trying to weaken my heels to break on stage. I said are you kidding me? She said ok if I win- 2 million people will see me win. If I win and fall- I am on youtube.com, I am on AOL News, I have made Larry King and every newspaper in the county. I smiled and laughed at her. And I told her I loved her drive. As her promoter I totally disagreed with the concept. Sadness filled her face when she lost and had a broken pair of expensive shoes. As we hobbled off stage to the green room I realized something- Success is being seen and heard. Its no longer measured in good or bad. Its measured in exposure and visibility.

As much as every one is sick and tired of Britney Spears- her latest album and single have soared near the top of the charts. The only PR the project had was her bad press, no record company funding, no reviews-just Britney and her insane chaotic life. Mind you in gospel we don't have this kind of hyperactive feeding frenzy. But, we do have those that stick their head up high enough to be seen on the radar. They have the "look at me" I have something to say about someone else. But, the general idea and goal is "look at me" I am excited to see how the press and music world are evolving. Its a new world. You can fall in love with a few emails, you can release a song by the click of a button, you can ask for prayer to 40 million people within seconds. So, as the media grows and news becomes a daily part of our phones, computers, cars, TV and radio, we must embrace it. I guess the jest of the article is- don't believe everything you hear or read- and (laughing) ummmm keep buying our music.

God Bless and Merry Christmas

Rick Hendrix
http://www.rickhendrix.com

Reader Comments

WHEW.....well put as usual.
In the end the richest reward will
come to the faithful. Won't much matter what
people had to say...only Jesus.

Becky
Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth!

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