Here is where you get an inside look at what's going on in the Southern Gospel Music industry. You will find stories and interviews with the "movers and shakers" that play a huge part everyday in the Southern Gospel Music we love so much. We are sure you will find answers in this column to questions you might have been asking for years. Come join us this week as we take a look at Southern Gospel Music "Behind The Scenes."
 

Inside The World Of Southern Gospel Concerts With Legendary Promoter Bill Bailey

When you start dropping names around Southern Gospel artists, and you want to get their attention, watch their faces when you mention the name Bill Bailey. Southern Gospel artists are quick to either tell you they really enjoy working concerts for Bill, or they would love to work a concert for Mr. Bailey. Either way, most artists, are very familiar with the name. The Gospel Music Times readers are fortunate enough this week to have Rev. Bailey take us through the workings of Southern Gospel music concert promotion.

Gospel Music Times---Let’s start by you telling our readers who you are and what connection you have with Southern Gospel Music.

Bill Bailey---My name is Bill Bailey and I have pastored our local church, Happy Gospel Church, for the past nineteen years. Our ministry promotes approximately 50 concert events each year, and I also handle the personal management for the Perrys. I have been married to Sally for 18 years, and we have three beautiful children: Caleb (15), Chelsea (13), and Caitlyn (10).

Gospel Music Times---Where are you from originally?

Bill Bailey---Albany, GA is my birthplace, but I have lived here in Bradenton, FL for the past 27 years.

Gospel Music Times---How did you get started as a concert promoter?

Bill Bailey---I have always had a deep love for gospel music, even as a young person. I grew up attending concerts promoted by J.G. Whitfield. His charisma on stage, selling techniques, and mc work captivated me. At the age of 15, our family attended a concert in Plant City, FL with the original Hinsons, the Paynes, and the Perrys. From that night on, I knew I wanted to promote concerts. The next week, I booked my first concert and promoted it at age 16.

Gospel Music Times---So, you have been promoting concerts for how long?

Bill Bailey---23 years

Gospel Music Times---Do you only promote Southern Gospel concerts?

Bill Bailey---Yes, but our church ministry features a variety of music

Gospel Music Times---What states do you promote in on a regular basis?

Bill Bailey---Florida, Georgia, and Alabama

Gospel Music Times---How does a promoter go about deciding what artists to bring to a particular area?

Bill Bailey---First and foremost is who will draw or fill the seats. If there is no crowd, then there can be no concert. Secondly is packaging. Some artists tour together or work well together. For example, I would never put the Inspirations and the Crabb Family together. However, the Inspirations and the McKameys work well together and also tour regularly. The Crabb Family work well with Michael Combs, etc. Thirdly, it is important to note that certain artists do better in certain areas. Some areas prefer the current and more progressive southern gospel artists, while other areas tend to lean to the more conservative groups.

Gospel Music Times---A question I have heard a hundred times…how does a promoter decide what order the artists will perform?

Bill Bailey---In our concerts, we try to work the concerts in a crescendo so that the momentum keeps building towards intermission. We also try to take the intermission at a reasonable hour. The order of a concert is not necessarily indicative of the most popular artist going last. That may have been the practice years ago, but audiences want to see their most favorite group in a more timely manner today.

Gospel Music Times---A lot of artists have gone from using a live band to using sound tracks. How has that affected gospel music in your opinion?

Bill Bailey---In general, I believe it has been detrimental but not insurmountable. Even when live bands were the norm, some of the most popular artists were using tracks – Gaither Vocal Band, Talleys, and even the Cathedrals. I feel it has been detrimental because the live music is appealing to the younger fan base, and that younger fan base is what we are lacking in southern gospel music. Also, most of our live musicians were young people. Live instruments gave more young people the opportunity to be involved in our industry.

Gospel Music Times---Do you think we will see artists bringing back their bands at some point?

Bill Bailey---Due to the cost of traveling, I would not hold my breath. I don’t see it happening anytime soon in the present touring structure of our industry. If our industry toured similarly as other music genres (ccm, country, rock) where an artist may tour only 100 dates a year and with certain other artists (like the Gaither tour), it may be more feasible to have a live band. Most groups are having difficulty paying their bills and meeting payroll without a band, much less with two-four additional people on the bus.

Gospel Music Times---Are you seeing crowds as large as ever with gas prices being what they are or are they having an impact on concerts?

Bill Bailey---Not really. The multi-day events are holding their own, and some are even up in attendance. However, the single night dates are the ones suffering from the gas prices. People are having to make hard choices. Going to a multi-day event where they can see several of their favorite artists is more practical than traveling to five different cities/venues to see their favorite five artists. I believe that is why the fuel issue may actually “help” this year’s National Quartet Convention, in addition to the positive changes they have made to the lineup and schedule.

Gospel Music Times---How have concerts changed since you have been in the business of promoting?

Bill Bailey---1) The demise of the “all-night sing” concept. More audiences want to see their favorites sing longer, rather than waiting through a large number of artists they don’t particularly care for. Today’s audience doesn’t have four-five hours to attend an event, whereas the audience of yesterday would stay all night. I don’t care if Jesus is making a personal appearance after 10pm; the majority of your audience is either on their way home or has tuned out, waiting for the final “amen”. 2) The church market. When I first started promoting concerts, the majority of events were held in public venues. Churches only had concerts on Sundays and an occasional Thursday. It is now common for artists to sing at churches on any night of the week, and it is not uncommon for churches to host ticketed events. Many of our major concert events are held in church venues, for which I say a hearty “amen”. Our local churches are some of the most beautiful venues in the city. Why rent other buildings when we can utilize the facilities that we (the local church) already own? Most churches and people have gotten past the hang up of charging an admission price. 3) Sometimes promoters and churches become adversaries in the booking process. Because of the growth of the local church, many churches can afford to pay an artist their flat and have the artist come to their local church instead of working with the area concert promoter. For example, it may be more advantageous for an artist to sing to 500-700 people by themselves at a church than to sing to 800-1000 people with three or four other groups on the same program sponsored by the local promoter. The artist gets to sing their entire program, and does not have to compete with anyone else for product sales.

Gospel Music Times---Do you see yourself promoting Southern Gospel concerts for a long time in the future?

Bill Bailey---Yes. First and foremost, I believe in the power of the Gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation. Southern gospel music clearly presents the Gospel message, and I believe in the power of this music to transform lives. Secondly, I am the biggest fan of our music. During NQC week, you will most often find me in the arena listening to the program. I love this music – it is part of me.

Gospel Music Times---Use this opportunity to tell our readers about a couple concerts you have coming up.

Bill Bailey---Our biggest event of the year is the “2009 Winter Gospel Music Convention” in Palmetto, FL at the Manatee Convention Center (just south Tampa/St Pete). It is held Monday-Saturday, February 2-7 and features over forty of gospel music’s top artists like the Booth Brothers, Hoppers, McKameys, Brian Free & Assurance, Dove Brothers, Gold City, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Collingsworth Family, Perrys, Kingsmen, Greater Vision, Triumphant Quartet, Talley Trio, Isaacs, and more. For more details on loding, camping, or tickets, go to http://www.billbaileyconcerts.com or call (941) 756-6942.

There is also a complete list of our upcoming events on the “Schedule” page of our web site.

I would also encourage your readers to check out our church web site at http://www.happygospelchurch.com  There is information on our church, as well as audio archives of recent sermons. I believe it will be a blessing.

Gospel Music Times---Thank you for taking our readers behind the scenes of concert promotion

Bill Bailey---I am humbled by your interview and appreciate the opportunity to share.