It is, with a wee dram of reservation, that I write to you my first article for this website. I am not without subject to write, I am simply leery of anyone getting the point. I have been following this site, and few others, for some time now with curiosity about the opinions that are out there about our industry. I have been quite shocked at the intellectually bankrupt people who seem to be proclaimed as “Guardians of the Gate of Truth”. Most of the articles I have read have been more like advertisements from politicians running for office. The one resounding subject seems to be that the SGM industry is in trouble and how do we fix it. Well let’s delve into that a bit. First of all I want to let you know that my opinions on this matter are just that “opinions”. Much has been said about NQC, Singing News, Charts, Pros V Amateurs, and the direction of our industry in general. I attend the NQC board meetings and work directly with Singing news and their charts. I can say, FOR SURE, it is a mess! So many people look at these simple 1-2 fixes like separating pros and amateurs or changing the overall quality of our recordings. Or perhaps booting out the entertainers and going all out for ministry only. I can assure you, NO ONE in the box seats of the game CARE even a little bit about any of that. The people in this industry who hold the reigns simply don’t care! The Government that is SGM has become a Communist Regime.
OH MY! HOW CAN HE SAY THAT!?! Because it is true! There are a few in number who own all we try to become a part of and if you disagree with the way things are ran You Are Shown the Door! This industry is No Longer about quality or Christian ideology, it is about MONEY! If you can bring Money to the table you can get in any door you want to get in! As far as I am concerned more than half of the artists holding top charting positions and Time on the NQC stage, simply don’t deserve it. There are groups out there that aren’t much better than a decent church group and have been on the cover of magazines. This is the true decline of our Empire. We are over here arguing the finer points of pitch and stage presence, and NOBODY CARES! So what if the McKameys aren’t sonically pure? They sold 500,000 copies of “God on the Mountain” in less time than it took Ernie Hasse and the gang to sell “Get Away Jordan” the same amount! I am not a McKamey fan but they have something called Anointing! They no doubt also have a real relationship with GOD! Ernie isn’t anything more than any other Pitchy tenor, if you were to strip away the lights and dance moves! And let’s not forget the NOD of approval from the mighty GAITHER!
Let’s face it, nobody cares either way! Do we need entertainment (EHSS)? Sure we do. Do we need anointed sincere singing ( Mkmy )? You bet we do. Does any of that have anything to do with the decline of SGM? NO WAY! The arrogance of those of you out there who think you have a quick fix idea is staggering. I am so sick of the after concert, Waffle House, SGM repair sessions! Everybody has “A PLAN”. Some say, let’s educate the people coming up and keep them from getting ripped off. Noble gesture, as long as you’re not suggesting that the umbrella of protection only opens in your studio or record company. Those same people suggest that you need a REAL RECORD DEAL! WHAT? Does everyone honestly suggest that Daywind, Crossroads, Springhill etc.. Won’t RIP YOU OFF! HAHA! Of course they will. They will take your money, stick you on some farm label, and you get to go out and brag about your record deal. (That’s another article) the point is, NOBODY CARES! It doesn’t make any difference either way. Fact: nobody ever bought a CD because of the label. Fact: nobody ever bought a CD because of who the producer is. Fact: nobody cares who played guitar on the CD or what city it was recorded in! This stuff is irrelevant! What is relevant is, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? That’ right, I said YOU! You are the POWER and the INDUSTRY. Without all the YOUS out there we would have NO NQC, NO SINGING NEWS, NO CHARTS, No industry at all! We the people have the power to change the course of SGM! We have the power to choose if we are going to continue to accept things the way they are or change them. Some of you like it the way it is. Great, do nothing. Some of you want change for our industry, well CHANGE IT THEN! HOW? Well, that is to come (IN MY OPINION) in future articles. I look forward to addressing these, and many other issues. I look forward to your comments and opinions that will follow. This will be my platform in future articles and I am looking forward to it. I eagerly await to see if anyone will get “ The Point”.
God Bless,
Shane Roark
http://www.chapelvalleystudio.com
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 11/01/2008
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Category: Shane Roark
Comments: 35
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Wow.....so much to comment on.
Observant Boy,
Is any one's success in SG music dependent on the so-called "Communist Regime"? If so, it is because the artists in the industry are so stary-eyed toward these people that it impairs their judgment. Everyone thinks it's so great to be on a label or be charted, but those things are just glitz and glamour and are of little or no value. Why not just become great singers and musicians, make music, maybe put it on a CD and find people who will listen to you. Enough of the music business!
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Keith,
Hey Keith great start, looking forward to future articles.
OOPS I meant Steve not Keith had a little brain slip there LOL
OK Shane I am really embarrassed now this multitasking is getting too much for us old guys LOL again
SGM has ALWAYS been about the music. It is now, and it will be as long as there is SGM. What the NQC or the SGMA, or whoever.... does or doesn't do won't change that. I feel that the groups (and soloists) that are out there every weekend are keeping SG alive as much or more than the pros are, just because there are more of us and we can come for less $ and all that, so more people see us.
I agree with shane on most all parts. He is 100% correct on the politics. I have been singing over 30 years with 10 of those with the Kingsmen yet I cannot break the political barricade. So my inclination is to continue to do what is right. Have a good group that doesn't mind entertaining along with ministering and letting the people pick and choose what they want. I guess the bottom line is if you do not want to help someone than just do not hinder their efforts.
Ed, that is JUST what I was trying to say! lol
Ed,
Shane,
—
Rod Burton
http://www.rodburtonmusic.com
http://www.twitter.com/rodburtonmusic
http://www.bransonGMC.com
Yep... He really said all that.
I think we sometimes forget the need for great songs. We need more songwriters in the "industry", if you want to call it that, who take the craft seriously and more singers/groups who settle for nothing less than superb songwriting. While there are a few great songs coming out in SG, overall I feel that there is a dearth of great material.
I would add one other requirement to success in SG, and that is for a singer or group to settle for nothing but their very best in the recording studio. So many groups--big name groups, even--allow producers/engineers to run them through their vocal recording sessions in a hurry. The fact is that most groups CANNOT do as well as they should with only two days of vocals.
I've noticed something intriguing here as I have read this article and the comments to follow. Not once have I seen anyone mention the need to have God first. I've read "Christian Ideology," and "ministry" but these could mean any number of things. Let's not beat around the bush here. The problem with SGM today is that too many have lost focus on what they are singing about. Once a person has lost focus of God, I believe God's blessing has also left. However just because someone acheives great "success" doesn't mean they are in God's will. The world offers success and happiness, but only for a season.
Certainly we need revival, but "seeing souls saved" isn't the only reason God created music in the world, just as He did not create the Great Smoky Mountains for the sole reason of seeing souls saved. On the other hand, God did not create music to be the money making object of the music industry, just as He did not create the Great Smoky Mountains for the profit of the tourist industry. Once we can see music as neither a tool for winning the lost nor a way to make money, then we will truly understand God's heart for music and why He created it in the world. (And this is a revelation to me, too!)
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Music is not a tool for winning the lost? Did I miss something here?
Yes you did. I'm talking about how we view music in our minds. Long before men tried to win souls with it, and long before men tried to make money with it, music was given to us by God as beauty...just like the Smoky Mountains or the Grand Canyon. All the troubles we are having with music, whether it is Southern Gospel or any other style, stem from us failing to appreciate music in the right way -- the way God created it.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
But wouldn't that sort of be like saying that we shouldn't preach because it takes away from the beauty of speaking? Music, as you correctly stated, in and of itself is a beautiful thing. It was created to be enjoyed. But, SGM is more than just a Beethoven Symphony. Not only is it beautiful because it is expressive, it's beautiful because it has a message. Just like preaching, it's more than just a speech to be prepared. It's more than just getting up and talking - there's a message. That's why SGM or Christian Music in it's entirety should spend MORE effort focusing on not only entertainment value, but how to reach more and more souls. I realize that a SGM or CM concert shouldn't be based off of preaching musically from song number one in a lineup. However, we shouldn't be on the other extreme either - being too entertainment based. We have a serious message to tell/sing about, but we've got to start having a JOY about being a Christian. When people see us singing or playing this music, they should see something glowing from within us. The anointing we have should show, and people everywhere should want to have what we have and what they can SEE in us...JESUS. Showing the message of how GREAT HE is, THAT is what God intended Christian Music to be about...
Shane,
My daughter and have attended NQC for the last 8 years and each year has been wonderful, we have stayed the entire week and yes there is a lot of politics and other things, but all in all isn't it that way in everything. yes we feel it should not be that way, but it is what it is and everyone and every group is not that way. I have met so many great people of God there, one group in particular called The Gabbards they are there to help spread the gospel and get the message out, they have been going there for years and have never sang on center stage, it's not all about that it's about getting to know the fans of SGM and letting the fans get to know the groups and to have a great time of fellowship. We go there because we love SGM, and it's great to talk to other people who love SGM. For my daughter who is going to be 20 and was around 12 when we started going it's great, she has made a lot of friends there and continues to love it no matter what the politics of the whole thing is. It does not matter if you are going for the right reasons. It's your choice, you don't have to go if you don't agree with it. Why does it seem to bother everyone so much. These singers are people like you and me and we can never put someone up on a pedestal they will always fall off of it eventually because no one will ever live up to what we think they should be. It's sad but true. All of us are nothing but sinners saved by God's Amazing Grace. If people are not doing what they are suppose to do then they have to answer to God. We just need to pray for them and help lead them in the right direction by living the life in front of them. enough said.
I love FANS. Vicky here is a FAN. I hope everyone gets what Vicky is saying here. See how simple she sees things. Vicky represents the majority, a simple innocent view from the outside, a TRUE lover of our music. We could all take a lesson from VICKY. Its about folks coming together and enjoying one anothers company and singing the songs we love to sing. TRUE, SO TRUE.
BY THE WAY, I understand that Vicky was merely pointing out NQC. Thats 6 days out of the WHOLE year. My statement was not about NQC. But rather the rest of the year we ALL work and deal with. Thought I better clear that up before we atrt BASHING one week. NQC does not make or break careers. Sorry for those of you who hope it will. Thats not what it is there for.
"There are a few in number who own all we try to become a part of and if you disagree with the way things are ran You Are Shown the Door!"
WOW! Jean missed the point!!
Actually, I am not a magazine editor or an English major. My point is that anyone who is writing an article, but doesn't take the time to check his grammar is sloppy.
Jean,
In response to Mr. Prater's comment:
I apologize that my hyperbole has diverted us from the point of this article and discussion. While I do stand by those extraneous statements, they weren't the point I was trying to make. What I was trying to say was that if any of us has received from God a gift or talent for music, that gift or talent exists independently of the powers that be in the music industry, whether we're talking about Southern Gospel or the music industry at large. Those talents and gifts also exist independently of whatever label we try to put on them, whether they be labels of style (Southern Gospel, Praise and Worship, Country, classical, etc.) or labels of purpose (ministry, entertainment, business, etc.). If the gift is from God, it transcends all these things. And if we are fretting over how the powers that be have hinder us, we have removed our focus from the one who gave the gift and have become carnal in our thinking (see 1 Corinthians 3).
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
WELL PUT!!!
Well put? In context of Mr. Prater's previous posts "well put" is not a very good description. What exactly are you considering a hyperbole? The part about music not being a tool for winning souls? Or the part about music being given to us as beauty? Does this mean that we are supposed to decipher your posts as Joseph did Pharaoh's dreams?
wow! I think that is the first time I have been accused of being vague.
Wow. I was told about this article and had to check it out. My recent ramblings on my own blog are right in line with this. Difference is, Shane has a bigger platform.
The reason that SG is basically a "pay to play" industry is simple. There's no money to be made.
Nobody's getting rich in this genre. I doubt that Bill Gaither is a wealthy as we all imagine him to be.
Chris J. Becker
Cedar Rapids, IA
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