I personally would LOVE to see live bands make a comeback in southern gospel music. And if your church is willing to fork out the money to pay 7 or 8 men’s services, travel expenses (including bus fuel and maintenance), and equipment (drum sticks, guitar strings, etc.), then you’ll get the live band.
The problem is, most churches won’t fork out the dough to make it financially sane to bring a live band. Even a fifth member on piano is one more mouth to feed. When most offerings barely come to $500, even if you split it 5-ways, that’s only $100 per person. If you account for fuel (depending on the distance, can be upwards of $200-300), that only leaves $200 to go 5 ways. Even on a short date, if you plan on running the generator, you’re still spending $100+ on gas, which leaves, at best, $80 per member. Then I’m sure the owner takes a cut to put back into the group for recording, promotion, etc., which leaves, roughly, $50 per person. Even on a good 3-4 show weekend, you’re looking at no more than $200 per member. It just doesn’t make sense to add more people to that budget. It’s no wonder so many SG singers today hold down other jobs!!
Now granted, groups like Greater Vision could probably afford at least a live piano player, but GV is a full-time entity, which has to bring in enough money to pay weekly salaries for at least 4 people (three singers and a bus driver/sound man), not to mention any office personnel, including benefits, plus a publishing company, indie projects, promotions, legal fees, and just the standard bills and all of the necessities of a full-time business. I’m sure GV brings in upwards of $2-3K per gig, but given the necessities, that’s awful modest to keep the bills paid and the employees fed.
