Music theft. Did you think it wouldn't hit Southern Gospel? If you did - you were dead wrong, friend. "File Sharing" has become an enormous problem in all music markets. In Southern Gospel, music is being stolen - illegally downloaded from the Internet - every hour of every day. Every Tuesday morning I watch the sales sheets coming in, and I am amazed at the continuos drop in units sold by top Southern Gospel artist. Artist that use to sell 30 to 40,000 units per project, are lucky to move 9,000 a year.
Gritting my teeth, I set out to prove what many say has "not yet become a problem" in Southern Gospel music. I allowed a song, I had written and owned to be added to three well known file sharing websites. Anyone can sign up for free and download music, illegally, for nothing. Nothing. Within 24 hours over 400 people had downloaded the song. With just one song, that's nearly $6,000.00 in lost revenues for the record companies, distributors, writers and publishers.
Not a problem in Southern Gospel? I beg to differ. It's stealing. It's unfair-and it's happening everyday. Statistics show that 5 out of 10 consumers own or have burned at least one CD in their collection that they did not purchase.
Morally speaking, I'm not sure I understand why the downloaders don't just get a bag, run down to the local Walmart, pick up a CD, slide it under their coat and hit the door. Folks, stealing is stealing. Sure, Southern Gospel music is hard to find in retail outlets. But, what exactly makes illegal file sharing different to these people from shoplifting?
Why it's easy to "share files":
YOU ARE IN THE SAFETY OF YOUR OWN HOME
NO SECURITY CAMERAS ARE WATCHING
YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF 14 DOLLARS
YOU WILL NOT BE STOPPED AT THE DOOR AND ARRESTED
YOU ARE ROBBING ARTIST'S, LABEL'S AND WRITER'S OF MILLION'S OF DOLLAR'S
YOU ARE BEING WATCHED BY THE LAW
YOU CAN BE ARRESTED FOR STEALING MUSIC ON LINE
YOU MAY NOT HAVE SECURITY CAMERAS WATCHING - BUT, GOD IS
Author: RickBHendrix
| Author's Website: http://www.rickhendrix.com
Written: 03/01/2005
| 
Category: Monthly ArticlesLeave No Stone Unturned
Comments: 76
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Great Article.....I agree with you. Look forward to our work together.
I'm amazed that anyone in Southern Gospel would ever think that file sharing would not be a problem in this music genre. The two groups of people who think most that music should be free are the youth and Christians from small, conservative, southern churches. I've been wrestling with members of my church on this issue for 25 years.
Back in 1980, it was photocopying sheet music. Then it progressed to copying cassette tapes. Every Christian I knew had more Christian music that was illegally copied than was purchased honestly. One of the biggest collections of Southern Gospel music I ever saw in one spot was a rack of bootlegged cassette tapes at Court Days in Mount Sterling, KY. (There was a big police raid there a few years ago!). The only difference today is that the technology is better and easier. And once the computer got cheap enough for the less-weathy to purchase, it was "Katey bar the door!"
The rationale of some is that "the record companies are making lots of money and I am not hurting anyone." Some also believe that the gospel should always be free. But I heard Joyce Meyer say that the reason she sells her books is that the more people invest in something, the more they will appreciate it and get the intended blessing. Jesus says that we should not cast our pearls before those who will not appreciate it (the swine). The scriptures are full of admonishments to give: give and it shall be given you, the labor is worthy of his hire, the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. It is our duty as Christians to give to those who provide things we want or need the full value of that service. It is my opinion that the true sign of whether someone has truly received Christ is this very thing. After all, Jesus did say that where your treasure is, that is where your heart is also.
Great article Rick. Thanks for laying the truth on the line and not being afraid to speak the truth. It hurts all of us when one person at a church buys a CD or the pastor hints for one free and then copies an endless number for his "people" because that now is "his" or "hers". For singers, songwriters or anyone else in the ministry these actions cut into expense money needed for maintaining travel and other expenses and the opportunity to record new projects.
I think you are right. Stealing is wrong. People need to wake up. I have seen this for years in my church.Way to go Rick. I figure folks will be scared to comment on this one, cause most have done it or are doing it. LOL
DE
We'll they have never stopped recording from radio stations. I seriously doubt anyone will stop them from downloading. People have always thought the music should be free. But, you are correct.Its stealing. Just because you can see a mans cow from the road, doesnt mean the milks yours.
Jerry Watkins
You are right, of course. But I have been amazed that no one has come up with the idea of allowing legal downloads. Why can't a label sell a song for 99 cents like iTunes or Napster from it's web site? A group could do the same. You typically can't find much SG on these sites, leaving no alternative but illegal downloading or being forced to pay $15 to obtain the one song you might want on a whole project. Neither of these is very appealing.
I think most people would pay the 99 cents, but personally don't buy many southern gospel CDs any more because I'm tired of paying $15 for a CD with one or two good songs and the rest plain junk.
I would probably buy each song in the top 40 if I could do it without having to buy 40 CDs.
What a great article. Thanks for having the courage to tell it like it is. Although I have never downloaded any songs from file sharing sites, I must admit that I have recorded specific songs from the radio in the past to avoid buying the CD. I'm ashamed to admit that it is all the same thing; stealing.
I live in the West and we love it when the top Southern Gospel groups make the expensive trip out here. As they lose a portion of their income stream, I suspect they will be forced to stay closer to home. We all lose.
Let's all get the word out: downloading songs for free from a file sharing site is stealing!
STOP SONG THEFT!
I am guilty of the same thing. I have recorded from radio stations. I have printed off sheet music at church. I never really thought about it. I am glad you pointed this out. I appreciate your article. I will pass it on to my church. I never looked at it this way. I agree with Ken Hurley STOP STEALING!!!!!!!!!!
Those of you who are beating yourself up for copying from radio, you can rest a little easier. It is not illegal to record from the radio, though it may be morally wrong.
Hi, Rick, I really enjoyed your articles. This is good stuff. So, TRUE.
Lara
Check out http://www.songtouch.com
It is a new website that I think has great potential for helping to solve this problem.
Very good article, I was impressed with the proven impact that you showed with downloading (30K- 40K to 9K units).
While we are right and good to implore Christians not to steal from each other, it cannot be the only avenue. The technology is here and probably will not go away. Differing methods of product delivery will need to be explored. The days of an artist depending on album sales may be coming to an end.
One upside (or downside)of the current technology is that many of us are willing to give our work away in order to have some exposure (click on my name). Sites like MP3.com and soundclick.com make it very very easy to distribute music. I'm not making money right now on my work, so heck, here it is. Get it before I come to my senses... There are also quite a few others like myself that are making great music that no one in the industry is ready to take a chance on yet. But you can still hear it!
While SG is in truth a small genre, it is a wonderful one. The "industry" may take a huge hit, but the folks who love SG will always love it so it won't go away. Those artists who love the music CAN'T quit making it. They might have to sell the bus for a while but they'll keep going.
Another aspect is that we in SG aren't drooling idiots, somebody (perhaps you or I?)will figure out a business model that will limit the financial damage of file sharing. Discussions like this one will speed that day.
Having sung or worked with different groups who depend upon the revenue of music and royalties to continue as full or part time and being a BMI affiliated songwriter, I could not agree with this article more. In that I work with a company that promotes Southern Gospel music and seeing the pressure put on the performers and musicians financially with declining revenues and spiralling gasoline/diesel prices, I can only pray for a change in the industry that will allow them to receive their due so that the Southern Gospel market would remain healthy and live performances will not be a thing of the past. If not, supply and demand will require increases at the ticket table to meet the traveling needs of the groups. One way or the other someone will wind up paying for the stolen revenue of downloading. Repent pirate downloaders!!!
How sad. Most people would give a CD away to someone who couldnt afford it. No one should have to steal it, but maybe GOD will use it to bring someone to HIM. Thanks for all that you are doing to help build Southern Gospel Music and the Kingdom of GOD!
Wow- so true. We appreciate your group Young Harmony.And I support this article.That is sad.
Grady
Rick-Great article. I have been amazed at the damage that can be done at a computer.
Jeez-
Don
GREAT article. I'm sure this one will hit close to home. Keep up the good work.
-Carmen
I think that your article on the problems with the attitude of christians toward paying for things and the even larger problem related to file sharing is right on the mark.
Issues related to licensing are another matter. It offends me that a radio station has to pay licensing fees to play music. They are free advertising plain and simple and without the stations, most music would never get sold. It also grinds my crank that a small business that goes out and purchases music to play on their intercom has to pay a fee also. They paid for the music AND they are giving an artist free advertising again.
Rick, Great article!!! That was one of the reasons we have just launched SongTouch.com. I have a soon-to-be 10-year old and I want him to enjoy the full spectrum of Gospel music. But...I want a safe, affordable and legal place to do so. We now have a site to help address this dilemma. Hopefully, we can get as much Southern Gospel material available at SongTouch, and pay royalties which are fair and well-deserved to each respective group! Blessings...
So many people wonder why Southern Gospel music isn't taken seriously. I think the main reason is because of the theft of music and the fact that people don't feel gospel artists are worth paying for. If you steal or share songs you are taking away sales for that group and you didn't feel like you should have to buy it. Same goes with concerts. Since a lot of groups come for love offering only basis some fans have said why buy the cow when you get the milk for free and they hold out until they come to a near by city for a non ticketed event.
Larry are you the one, I met with Dottie Rambo at Gospel Music TV. I enjoyed her at the Grand Resort.I cannot imagine people stealing music.
Carla
Sorry, I got to thinking about Dottie Rambo. This is a wonderful article. Sad. Our world thinks everything is its own.
Carla
You never know where you will find your music. My wife and I were at a resort last summer when they announced there was to be a wedding in the lobby and asked everyone to not come through after the start. We walked in to watch and while the couple were reading their vows in the back ground was playing our new single "When A Man Loves A Woman". After the wedding was over I asked teh couple about the song. They said it was one of their favorites and they had gotten it from the internet. I gave them a copy sothey would not be starting out their new life with this sin hanging over them. Instead of rejoicing with them I greived over their plight.
You see they thought they had gotten away with downloading that song when they actualy came face to face with the one that had recorded it.
You may think you are getting away with stealing but there will come a day when you will come face to face with He that ons it all the author and finisher of every thought and situation. What will you say to Jesus then.
And yes you can visit songfile.com and see where i paid for the rights for "When A Man Loves A Woman"
Dan Traxler
I'm a graduate student at a Christian university. One of our professors was talking about this recently. When he approached the subject with his undergrad class, they said this was ok if it was Christian music because they were, in essence, spreading the Gospel message.
He then asked if Jesus condoned stealing for a "greater good." At this point, the students became quiet.
But, it's the truth. So many think it's okay to do it because it's Christian music. I just hope one day people will realize that it is what it is--stealing.
Praise God Rick for your article! We have people that come back to our table after a concert and have the audacity to stand there and tell each other one will by the cd's and burn them off for the other person! I've heard it more than once!
To old97fan, the license fees paid by radio stations, venues and other music users do not go to the artists. They go to the songwriters and publishers of the songs. Just as you would not build a house without paying for the lumber and bricks, you should not build a music related business without paying for the basic building material -- the music. By the way, the 8.5 cents per song, per copy royalty that is supposed to be paid for the use of songs on a CD is the way the artists pay for the use of their building material.
I know what we say is happening.What can be done about it? Books are free on line, music videos at AOL, news,weather etc. To most people,its like turning the channel and watching MTV, CMT or something.
Dale
You are so right, Rick. This is stealing. The trouble is that most people don't consider it wrong. That is the tragedy. There are plenty of sites on the Internet where one can purchase projects online, so the excuse of not being able to find the music doesn't work. Your article really hit the nail on the head. Thanks for telling it like it is. I hope lots of people read it & take it to heart & stop stealing from these ministers of God.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
I fully agree with this article. However, I would sadly have to say that the majority of us are guilty at some point in our lives. I think that this article is a real eye opener. Way to go Rick. I like how you aren't afraid to tackle hard subjects.
Justin
Rick,
Once again, you hit it right "on the money" (sorry, I just couldn't resist!).
There are probably a few folks who don't realize this is actually "illegal"; however, I think that the number who don't is probably very small. I think it's honestly more an issue of "it's a ministry" and I should "share God's Word however I can."
You know, if Christian people would adhere to God's Word on giving and finances, there would typically be enough money in our budgets to actually PURCHASE the music. Let's face it, folks. The church at large has gotten caught up in the "gotta-have-it-now" mentality and we allow our money to go toward things that will be burned up one day. Now, I'm not saying we shouldn't have nice things. But I do wonder how many times we could support "ministries" with our finances. Then maybe we would have the extra money to BUY the music for ourselves or those to whom we're trying to "minister." I have to wonder what the people to whom we minister think when they receive a pirated copy of gospel music ... hmm! What kind of a witness is that????!!!!
That was a VERY good article Rick! I'm not going to lie, I have to admit that I too am guilty of downloading every now and then. It's not an excuse, but often it was just easier to find that "hard to find" music to download rather than in stores. I appreciated the way that you explained it and gave examples. It sheds whole new light on it and quite honestly makes me ashamed of myself. But this is something that people, like me, NEED to hear and understand. It is NOT ok, no matter what the circumstances. It IS stealing and it IS wrong. Great article!
Hi Rick, You brought up something that I was totally ignorant about a few years ago. I did'nt have a clue that there was such at thing as stealing gospel music. I thought that everyone who was a Christian would want everybody to hear their songs at any cost. Now, I said that to say this. I think people need to be educated about this situation, especially Christians, who after they understand the way things work, surely would feel convicted by stealing music and would understand that they are taking money right out of our pockets. If Christians want to see the gospel music industry survive, I think they would think twice before stealing music. God knows we need help to keep God's music alive and well. As far as non Christians, I don't think they will care. Thats just my two cents worth. Cathy Collins
Great article, Rick.
STEALING IS STEALING! Last time I checked, it was still one of the top ten sins.
Not long ago, someone told me they regularly download and share song files, and this is how they acquired our latest recording!
My response: I am Surprised they would steal music! I'm Surprised they would tell me about stealing from us! I'm Surprised someone took it upon themselves to share our cd with the world, and now our music is available FREE to the public! We wanted distribution; I guess they took care of that for us!!
My view on this situation: It will continue to happen.
Reason #1: Well-meaning people think they are helping themselves and other poor needy souls by supplying them with free gospel music. At the same time they feel they are helping the groups to spread the gospel. You can see how they justify themselves.
Reason #2: We, the artists, are not sure what to do. It is hard to prosecute nice, well-meaning people.
Tell us what to do, Rick. We'll follow your lead.
Thats terrible. I would be upset. Actually I would be glad someone download ours. We cant even get them to buy it. 
Wade
This is becoming a bad situation in all formats. We had a DJ at our station, he was downloading songs for airplay off the web. I explained to him, it was theft of peoples music. I have never seen the music industry in such a crunch.
Charles Elkins
Rick, great article and well written. Article needed also. Hopefully we will have a few people that will take this to heart.
How about an article on the high paid groups that demand so much money and then they really do not put the people in the seats.
The promoters are the one that are taking it on the chin right now. After all stealing certainly goes in several different directions. God Bless you buddy and keep these article coming. Some one has to do it...
Rick
I enjoyed this article. I agree stealing is stealing. The numbers are shocking. In my opinion this is not just a problem from the websites of companies but there are artist that does post songs on their website and people can download those. Another problem I see is some artist I have met in the last year have their eyes focused more on money than ministry and I know this is sad and has turned me against some artist.
I have heard of artist flats as high as 10,000 in Southern Gospel. I wouldnt pay 2,000 for anyone. I think Gaither is the only one that can ask for rates like that.And I here his dates gross him 200,000 a night.
Charles
The idea of "lost revenue" is often overstated; i.e., folks may share files that they probably wouldn't have purchased to begin with. Doesn’t make it right – it just helps to explain the numbers. I would contend that the attrition of revenue from music sales is likely to get worse before getting better. There are several reasons:
1)The technical expertise of the average Southern Gospel fan is below that of the average secular fan due to average ages. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard grandson tell grandma, “don’t let your friends buy that CD, Grandma! Buy one and I’ll make copies!” Grandma is impressed with grandson, becomes a hero to her friends, and the gospel group makes one sale. Eventually Grandma will be gone and Grandson will become the future fan along with his expertise in copying.
2)The Southern Gospel industry is extremely fragmented with very low barriers to entry. Buy a few microphones, a van, get 5 people to listen to you and you have a group! The industry becomes flooded with groups (and CD’s) that often sound roughly the same. Fans simply are NOT able or desirous of buying all the music that’s out there.
3)With the growth of the internet and media to the home (e.g., cable and satellite TV), the music industry as a whole is in head-to-head competition for the time and attention of the fans. Couple that with more single parent homes meaning that adults have less time to sit down and listen to good music.
4)Economics plays a big role. How many folks have looked at their collection of Gaither videos and said, “wait a minute – there’s a lot of money sitting there!”
Should everyone just throw in the towel? Absolutely not! However, don’t just stick your head in the sand either (a common practice with some groups). In the business world, industries that have faced many of the same dynamics above usually find that in order to survive, they must go through some form of consolidation and possibly change how the customer experiences the product. The airline industry is an example of this. For Southern Gospel (and really the entire music industry), consolidation may come in the form of several groups touring together and presenting a joint program, not back-to-back 20 minute sets. Gaither having all of his artists on stage at one time is a form of that. The idea is to give the customer something that they are more attracted to (i.e., the special event) and thereby motivate them to want to buy the music. This is just one of several dynamics that must occur in some form if the industry is going to grow and flourish.
Bob Crichton
Business Manager - The Booth Brothers
Promoters need to know their markets. You can't pay the artist their flat, and then expect the artist name to draw you a crowd. Without you doing some work. If you have booked the Wilburn's in for 700.00 and pulled 100 folks at 11.00 and made a profit. You cant book Gold City for 7,000 and pull the same 11.00 ticket price and same 100 heads and expect to walk away happy. My family goes for love offerings. We are certainly not in that pricing war. But, we have expenses. And we trust your knowledge of your abilities before we book it and drive to the venue.
Renee
Rick-
Another eye-opening article. I've never downloaded music of any type, but I do have some 'burned' CD's that friends have passed on to me. I must admit- each time I pull them out to play them, I feel guilty.
I hear what folks are saying about having a desire to spread the gospel any way it can be spread; even some who feel this way don't seem to mind unauthorized copies fulfilling this purpose.
The line may be a fine one, but there IS a line. Thanks for giving us all a real-life reason to think, before engaging in this again. As so many have stated, stealing IS stealing. The opposite of 'authorized', really and truly IS 'unauthorized'.
I think a fair price should be based on the amount of singers and staff the artist may have traveling. A solist may be worth 300.00. A group may be worth 2,000.
Sue
Great article Rick! This one was certainly an eye opener. I seem to always learn something from your articles. Thank you!!
God Bless
Vickie
Great article Rick- Downloading has become a major problem. I have noticed children in our church carry burned CDs instead of purchased ones. I appreciate your candor.I am going to gently mention to the pastor this article.
God Bless you- Janice
A do not like it when groups are mean , they stay on the bus until they sing, and never work their table. I heard of a churches paying 12,000 dollars for one artist and having 145 folks. Needless to say we didnt have singing for 2 years.
Janice
This is very true. I had my share of burned CDs lately.Even the Cds I buy in the stores are sometimes CDR's. Whats that about? Are they stolen disc?
Mike
Maybe the CD was a pre-release. I bought a pre copy of the Freeemans that way.
I believe this issue is a symptom of a much larger issue. That is, that people, especially Christians, have a general disdain for music, especially true Christian music.
You see it everywhere. Churches won't pay musicians and singers. Fans won't pay for concerts. Artists will spend large amounts of money for buses and sound systems, but will not pay their musicians and singers. So, why wouldn't Christians be tempted to burn and download music without paying for it? It's part of the culture!
How do we convince Christians of the value of our music? Certainly the artist must value it enough to develop musical skill and understanding. The artist must value it enough to put out a product that the listener feels they cannot do without. The artist must value it enough to be willing to pay for qualified musicians and singers to accompany them. If the artist doesn't value it enough to do these things, why should the fan value it enough to pay for it?
What really disheartens me most, though, is to see devout Christian musicians disdain Christian music so much that they would rather create a band to play in saloons and bars than to sing and play God's music.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Keith-
WOW-thats one way of looking at it.Its almost like demanding repect and giving none.
Dale
Keith,
Whatever the reasons, this is not an area we can push under the carpet. Stealing is stealing.
Wade
test
As a Southern Gospel Radio DJ, I am amazed about how many people call the station and ask us to record a song or a project. They ask like it is no problem for us to do that. Try to do that with a Rock or a Country Station...I would like to see how far they would go. They don't realize that if we were to do that, we would be in trouble with the FCC, Copywrite laws and open us up to serious lawsuits. Plus that is flat out stealing from the industry. I look at it this way, if someone likes a song.....go to the local Christian Music Store and get the song.
AMEN Paul- you hit it on the head. A secular station would hang up on you. I've been watching this story.I figured no one would talk about it. Its been fun to watch the support and comments to doing whats right. Way to go Ricky Boy
Dale
If I were a gospel artist, I would be glad to give my product to anyone. The Lords work is free. Its all we have anymore, not bogged down with a price tag. Be glad God is using any source to further the gospel. Praise HIS name.
Joan
Sharing is a great thing but sharing what is not yours is stealing no sin shall enter Heaven....
I always enjoy your articles. Thanks for fighting for new artist. Where can I send you a CD?
Janice
Someone has come up with the idea of legal downloads for Southern Gospel Music. Goldens Steet Music at www,goldenstreetmusic.com has been on line for 18 months. It is a first class site with priority on security and the best in streaming. However, cooperation from artists and labels has not been what it should be. Eddie Crook and Journey records have some music as well as a lot of independent artists.
I agree that file sharing is illegal and Golden Street Music has tried to offer an economical place for fans to buy music. Unless more people start using the service and unless more current music becomes available, the site may soon go off line.
Let's all work together to educate everyone about the sins of file sharing and opportunity to find good music on line.
Someone has come up with the idea of digital downloads for Southern Gospel Music. Golden Street Music at http://www.goldenstreetmusic.com has been on line for over 18 months. It is a first class site with the highest in security and streaming qualitites.
The concept has been presented to every labels in the business and the site was even offered to the SGMA to include all artists and labels.
Eddeie Crook and Journey has made some music available on the site, but it has been extremely difficult to get the industry to believe this is a valid concept for the future.
Maybe we can educate fans as to the sins of downloading and educate the labels and artists as to the advantages of digital downloads. Any ideas would be appreciated.
i love gospel music as well as the next person. but some of us is poor and can't afford to go out and buy cd's. it's says that God will always provide our needs but not our wants. so i feel if your music is being shared, then God will provide your needs. if i could afford to buy, then i would.put please don't down us ones that want to get the blessings from the free gospel songs. keep up the great work on doing what God has lead you to do
I believe I have a very hard time believing that EVERYONE who file shares is poor! Granted, some may not be able to afford all the songs they want. News flash: "I" can't afford all the songs that "I" want but I do NOT download them and STEAL them! No matter rich or poor, there is a commandment that says THOU SHALT NOT STEAL!!! That's about as simple as it gets, people. And I can't see that God will financially bless anyone who thinks it's okay to steal from others. I think this issue is about as black and white as it gets. STEALING IS WRONG AND NOT PAYING FOR SOMETHING IS STEALING!!! Duh!!??
Donna makes some good points and with song download sites now available where you can buy one song at a time for .99, you can save and pay and add to your collection as you can.
I need some help. I own a country gospel radio station in North Georgia. I would like to open a gospel music store. Where can I get Southern Gospel music cd's to sell?
Thank you
Mark Hellinger
I am waiting for the day when I can buy SG music on iTunes, Rhapsody, etc....
I agree with you totally. I'd be more than happy to pay for music downloads, but so far I have found NO SITE out there that offers Southern Gospel Music downloads. I found one that had ONE Cathedrals CD on it -- that's it! If you know of one that does, or if ANYBODY knows of one that does, please pass it on! Thank You.
Well, I spoke too soon didn't I! I was playing around looking for something on the Wal-Mart website this morning, and something caught my eye... "Downloadable Music." I started clicking around and found another link "Southern Gospel." Low and behold!... downloadable southern gospel music - major artists. Download a song for 88 cents each, or download the whole CD for about the same cost as actually buying the CD. I hope you'll pass this along to your readers. Thanks for your time. Ric.
Well, here I go.
To the individuals that say I won't pay X amount of dollars to have a group at my church or venue. You are a contributor to the problem. No, I can't see paying a 10,000 flat per night for a group unless they were the #1 group in the country and they could justify the money. Then that might be different. Staying on the road with diesel fuel at 2.50 per gallon to put in buses that get 3-5 miles per gallon that hold 200 gallons of fuel, record companies that want 5-10,000 dollars up front before they will turn on a recording console, 8.5 cents per copy per song on the album, it's no wonder that groups and artists are having problems making it in SGM when you have pastors and promoters bringing artists in and think that when they give them a check for 500.00 they are doing a big thing when it takes them 2,000 to get off the bus. I know what you are going to say, the gospel is free, yes it is. But the pipeline to get the gospel to you costs a whole lot of money. I'll make a deal with you, when you can get the record companies to drop their fees and sign groups like secular companies do their artists (actually pay the artist to record with them) get Diesel fuel down to about a 1.00 a gallon, drop the royalties on songs to about 1-3 cents per song per copy, and all that kind of stuff, then i'll agree with giving groups and artists next to nothing to come and sing some good ole gospel music.
Brian, I agree with most of what you say and your intent. Two things though. First, artists that sign with secular record companies pay for those recordings from any royalties they would be owed so that the artist eventual does pay for his recordings. Second, the 8.5 cent royalty to the songwriter per song is not only NOT too high, it is too low. It is ridiculous to think that THE major building block of an album, the song, would account for only 5% of the total price of a CD. Whereas, the distributor, the retailer and the record company are each getting a couple of dollars or more each for it. What we need is a change of mindset in the church. We need to develop the attitude that we will give everyone the full price of what they deserve instead of trying to get everything for nothing or next-to-nothing. Then everyone will be blassed.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Keith,
I am not sure the source of your information in regard to the secular record companies, however the source of my information is from an industry insider that has direct contact with the biggest names in country music, Grand Ole Opry stars. Yes you are right that the record companies do yield a certain profit from the royalties, however the artists do earn a percentage of royalties from the sales of their product without having to front any money for the recording and production of that project if the company wants to sign them and record and market them. In regard to songwriter royalties on songs, I apologize in inferring that the songwriters weren't worth being payed, that's not what I was trying to say. However, if you take 8.5 cents and multiply that by 50,000 (representing 50,000 copies of a song that has been recorded and royalties paid on that song), you have a figure, correct me if i'm wrong of 425,000. Sounds like a real good living to me. I know, having 50,000 copies of a recorded song sold in SGM is like 1,000,000 copies sold in the secular market. What the answer to that is I don't know. 8.5 cents to me is plenty, especially to an artist just getting started having to up front the cost of everything especially 8.5 x 10 (number of songs on a project) x number of copies of a project produced. The sales of SGM products, however is a horse of a different color. The answer, you tell me? I agree 100% of what you say in regard to a change of mindset in the church, halleujah, preach on brother!!! In regard to trying to get something for nothing? Welcome to the world of business. Inside or outside the church, doesn't matter, that's just people and I don't know that will ever change in this life, however I will agree that problem is a lot worse in the church than out. Thanks for your input brother !!! God Bless
Brian, your math is wrong. If a writer were to collect on 50,000 it would be $4250. The majority of songs are co-written, which means that is split to $2125/ea. Actually, most songs that would sell that much would have a publisher's cut, too. That would mean the writers would get $1062/ea. and the publisher would get (or split among more than one publisher) the other $2125.
Now, most custom recordings only produce 200-500 units which means $42.50 TOTAL per song to be split between all writers and publishers. On my published, co-written song, I will see about $10. Even if you have a major group pressing 5000, I might see $100! Unfortunately, I'll be lucky to have 2 or 3 songs/year recorded. That amounts to about $300 MAX. in royalties and that barely pays the gas bill. Add to that the fact that only 1 in 6 people pay the royalties we are talking about and, unfortunately, we've got a major problem in this industry and NO ONE is getting rich. As a matter of fact, few if any are able to support themselves and pay bills.
Sorry. I've just got to add that I can do a local concert for an evening and collect $25-$50 in a small church love offering and be far ahead of where I would be if I had a song recorded by a fairly successful group. As little money as there is in PERFORMING Gospel music, there's even less in writing it!
Brian, of course they get royalties and they don't pay up front. However, all production costs are taken from their royalties before they receive any of them. They are able to do this because the record companies expect the artist royalties over time to exceed production costs. There is a big difference between selling 100,000 copies of a CD and 1,000. And in the scenario of selling 100,000 CDs. The total income from the CDs will exceed $1.5 million, while the amount of money distributed to all songwriters and publishers will be no more the $85,000.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Susan,
I apologize in regard to my math figures you are right in regards to your figures. I will concede that perhaps royalties should go up some. However if you push them up too high, you will create even more inflation in regard to costs for a recording and depress the market of SGM even more. There should be a balance somewhere, where that is I don't know. In response to Keith, I will agree that does happen in regard to some record companies. But it varies from company to company and artist to artist. Secular artists for the most part have management representation that is the liasion between the artist and the record company and they will play the end against the middle until they find a recording contract that is best suited for the artists wants and needs. Perhaps that is an element missing in our genre of music. Companies many times will even advance the artist a certain amount of money and then will holdback royalties until production and the advance is paid for.
This is my last post in regard to this subject and I will summarize my opinion with this. SGM, Country, rock, jazz, pop, no matter the flavor of the ice cream cone, has certain people that control the rotation of the music world. In SGM we have certain ones that control the biggest part of the market share in SGM. Those that control NQC, SGMA, big events where all the greats in our field get together and produce a showcase of legendary SG songs, etc. If you are not in the circle of those that have the control, you are out. No other way to slice it or dice it. Should it be that way? no. Is it fair? Someone once said fair is something that the county has once a year. But in any area of professional music or professional anything, thats about it. My opinion of the problem in this industry, low market share, inability to promote and market our product (due to low revenues, competition in regards to other christian music forums such as CCM, which I will add here has taken over the music programs of about 80% of the churches over the past 15 years, why, because its what people want.) and control of our industry by a select few. Add to this promoters (whether they be pastors, booking agents, professional promoters) that want you to come and sing, but not even hardly provide you the means nessecary to get out of town, well we end up in the pickle that alot of SGM writers and performers are now. Yes there definetly needs to be reform, maybe even starting with my outlook as a former insider now consumer. Yes royalties need to go up, to a level that not only the songwriter can live with but the recording artist too, without the recording artist, songs wouldn't get recorded or performed.
Yes SGM artists need to be compensated fairly regarding their work, songwriters and artists alike. The whole thing needs to be looked at. Maybe one of these days when a little guy makes it to the top, he will recall his days of struggle and think of his comrades that are still at the bottom of the pole and make reform nessecary to help everybody. Something to pray about you think? God bless you Susan, Keith and all of you who work very hard to sing and perform the greatest music in the world, Southern Gospel.
You are right on the mark. It is stealing. The problem is that it is not a tangible thing in that no one actually "took" the item. They don't see it as stealing unless they actually "took" it. How sad!This is a problem that is not going to go away, and unless someone devises a way to download legally, it will only increase. I know that I have trouble trying to find music because it has gone out of print and if you do find it, it is in a collection that cost 30 or 40 dollars. I buy it, or just don't use the music, but most people would just copy the song and go on. This needs to be addressed. There needs to be some way to get music that is out of print or no longer on album or CD legally.
...and many wonder why the evangelist is taking a pastorate and the singer is having to quit traveling further than a few hours away from home.
As an author and producer of audio and video teaching products, I am appalled at how many Christians do not think it is stealing to violate copyright laws. As a pastor, I am greatly discouraged that we have failed to effectively teach basic morality.
We teach 'prosperity', yet we live as thieves....what does that make us???? Worse than hypocrites.
And people wonder why my ministry has to retain a litigation attorney????
i agree with Jim Tice.
i LOVE southern gospel, it's my favorite. and it's so hard to find it. but even worse, is i can't buy any of it unless i buy a whole cd. so i just don't buy any! if they sold more southern gospel for 99c i'd buy a ton more songs! does anyone else feel this way?
I found this article while looking for someplace to BUY written music to "The Cross Said it All" as sung by Kim Hopper. I have been looking for this since the song came out. I BOUGHT the CD. Decided to learn it for our small church and haven't been able to find music ANYWHERE. This is not the first time I've had this problem and believe it is linked to the download problem. I believe (as Mr. Tice) that most people would pay if it was easy to do and not expensive. I lean more to Contemporary and I must say it is a LOT easier to find their CDs, music books, tracks, etc. than Southern Gospel.
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