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Before I get to the story of Gabbyville , USA , I want to inform you that I have some great news - The NQC board of directors has commissioned me to conduct training workshops at the 2006 NQC. The workshops will be held every morning except Monday at 9:30. To say that I'm excited about this is an understatement. This decision is a direct result of some of the board members reading my articles. It's rewarding to realize that my articles have had an impact, and I commend the board for this decision. This is a big deal folks, so help me spread the word.

Let me tell you the “true” story of Gabbyville , USA , a city located in the heart of America .

On the South side of town is an elementary school, South Gabbyville Municipal Elementary, better known as SGM, a typical elementary school except for one outstanding accomplishment. It seems that as far back as anyone can remember, SGM students finished in the highest rankings in the state in academics.

This was due, in large part, to SGM's fine principal, Mr. Williams, and his dedicated staff of teachers. Mr. Williams, a seasoned educator and a gentle man, was loved and respected by all. But, in dealing with his students, he expected nothing but the best, and accepted nothing less….and they knew it.

Everything was peachy keen at SGM until the day when, much to the children's delight, Mr. Weasel opened a candy store right across the street from the school. And, what a fine candy store it was….there were chocolates, cinnamon sticks, taffy, hard candies of every variety….truly a sight to behold. It wasn't long until all the kids became regular customers at the store. In fact, business was so good that other business men opened candy stores, and before long there was a candy store on each corner. The kids were surrounded with candy stores.

One day, Mr. Williams began to receive some troubling reports. It seems that many of SGM's finest and brightest students were beginning to fail exams. Mrs. Jones, the school nurse, was alarmed at the number of students complaining of stomach aches, headaches, and inability to stay awake in class. Mrs. Harris, the school dietician, reported that most of the students were leaving their lunches untouched.

It didn't take Mr. Williams long to determine that his kids were suffering from sugar overdose, but alas…how to fix the problem? He was angry at the store owners, but saw no way to shut them down. He couldn't force the children to stop eating so much candy. But he knew he had to do something….and quickly. And so, being the seasoned educator that he was, he came up with a plan. ”I'll educate the children on the perils of eating candy irresponsibly”, said Mr. Williams, “Yes, that's it….brilliant “.

And so the next day Mr. Williams went down to the town newspaper, The Gabbyville Gazzette, and submitted his first article on “The Perils Of Eating Too Much Candy”. He got lots of comments from his article, mostly favorable from the parents and older, wiser members of the community, mostly negative from the kids who didn't want to give up their candy. He kept writing articles and soon his writing began to have an effect and many of the kids quit visiting the candy stores. Grades began to improve, and children began feeling better.

This didn't sit well with Mr. Weasel and the other candy store owners, and so, in keeping with the famous Southern saying, “The Bit Dog Barks the Loudest “, Mr. Weasel began writing articles in the Gabbyville Gazzette, expounding on the benefits of eating candy. “A little candy never hurt anyone” was his main theme, and he got lots of comments from the kids….more than Mr. Williams did. “We love Mr. Weasel”, “Mr. Weasel has been good to me”, “I eat Mr. Weasel's candy and I'm fine”, and on and on, which translated means…”Don't take our candy away”. In fact, ALL the letters to the editor that applauded Mr. Weasel were from HIS CUSTOMERS….THE KIDS.

Eventually the truth in Mr. Williams' articles won the day. The candy stores had to close for lack of business, and SGM returned to the top in academic excellence.

The moral of the story is this:

If kids are eating too much candy and it is hurting them, it is in THEIR best interest to get it away from them. They probably won't like it, and they probably won't like you, but, in the long run it is the best thing for them.

We have a similar situation in Southern Gospel Music.

We have lots of young groups (kids) who are so enamored with the candy known as “The Top 80 Charts”, and getting their name on the chart, that they are suffering from sugar overdose…the sugar coming from the Mr. Weasel's in our industry. And the kids actually defend these people “We love you Mr. Weasel”, but really what they are saying is “Don't take away our candy”.

The reality is that a song in the top eighty is basically meaningless, unless it continues to climb up the charts up to or close to the top 40, or perhaps, higher.

I truly believe you could cut a song with your household pooch singing lead and get it in the top 80.

If your goal is to get a song in the top 80, you're suffering from sugar overdose.

This is why I've been preaching that we only need a top 40….let's shut down some of those “Candy Stores”!

Here's another dose of reality:

Irresponsible Radio Promotion is worthless.

I believe Radio Promotion, properly done, is a vital ingredient in the formula for success in SGM, always have. Anyone can check out some of my previous articles and verify this. However,

Sending a song to radio on a compilation and making a few phone calls is about as useless as last week's pasta.

Proper Radio Promotion is a coordinated effort between the Record Company, the Radio Promoter, the Artist, and the Radio Stations.

It involves calling on the radio stations, articles, contests, and marketing strategies for each artists single, tour support between the artists and the radio stations, and the artist's involvement in supporting the efforts of the Record Company and Radio Promoter.

If your Radio Promoter is doing these things for you, you're right on track.

If they are not…you're “Living in Candyland”…..isn't that a song? Oh well.

Here is my final thought.

It's rewarding to me to hear some of the “Bit Dogs” starting to bark.

As always, I welcome your comments.

God Bless You,

Nick Bruno
http://www.songgardenmusic.com

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