Another Week, Another Column
Almost Made Me Ill
I noticed. in most online Southern Gospel publications this week. an
article about an artist that was in intensive care and facing triple
bypass surgery (from which I understand he came through with flying
colors and is resting comfortably). Publication after publication
carried the press release about the plight of this artist...except for
one. When I saw the press release was not included on one publication's
site, it almost made me ill. How jaded do you have to be, when enough
space for a prayer request for a SOUTHERN GOSPEL ARTIST facing a
potentially life ending situation, can't be spared. Having said that,
had this artist had the "right" last name, or been a part of the "right"
group there would have been 3 paragraphs concerning his ankle sprain,
and how he won't be able to ski in Aspen next week.
Let's be honest. It makes no difference if you happen to be the largest
publication in our field, if we have reached the point you have to be an
advertiser to pass on a prayer request, how important can you really be?
I Think
It’s Great
I visited the Branson Gospel Music Convention website yesterday and was
amazed. The number of artists signing up to perform at that function is
great! Not only was I impressed by the sheer number of artists onboard
this early, but also the caliber of artists. I saw some awfully familiar
last names: Blackwood, Bishop, Burton, Crabb, and Payne just to list a
few. I guess what I like best about the Branson shindig is the way it
looks like this is going to be a first-class event. It appears to me
that the organizers of this event are raising the bar when it comes to
how these multi day events should be put together. If you haven’t looked
yet…take a peek today at:
www.BransonGMC.com then tell me just how impressed you are.
I’m wondering now, if the ole Gator needs a booth, you know to meet all
my “friends” in the industry and pass out words of wisdom to those that
stop by.
Oh This Is
Just Sooooo Wrong
I visited an artists
website this week and discovered something a lot of you probably didn’t
know. If you are an artist and don’t have a bus, then you must be doing
something wrong because it seems almost every website I visit, the Lord
had told the artist that they needed a bus, and even picked one out for
them. These artists have also decided that the Lord is going to line up
someone to pay for that bus for them. Now before you change the channel
on me here, let me throw in my disclaimer here.
I do not doubt there are artists out there that have a true need for a
bus. I also do not question the Lord being able to help those artists
find, and maybe even obtain their bus, but let me shock you here. Pay
close attention. Not every gospel music artist that ever picked up a
microphone has a need for a bus. And let me take it one step further and
say the only need a bus would fill for some artists is to boost their
already bulging ego. If you travel, want a bus, can afford a bus, then
by all means, go buy a bus, it’s your money and I trust you did the math
to figure out it’s a good investment for you in your situation. If you
are buying your own bus, then more power to you, but how dare you decide
your ego needs a bus, blame that need on the Lord then try to convince
me the Lord wants me to send you a check to pay for your bus. Here’s the
story, read it THEN tell me I’m nuts, don’t know what I’m talking about
and am just a crazy gator in general.
The artist’s website that made my blood pressure go up is an
individual that travels as a soloist. The best I could tell, if the
artist has anyone with them, its their spouse and possibly one child.
This artist currently travels in a customized conversion van with a
small sound system and tracks. No band, no instruments, only one CD at
this point (of course that would change if they had a bus) and that’s
it. The last time I checked three people, a small PA system, and a
handful of CDs fit in a full size conversion van just fine. Why in the
world, except as I have already stated an ego boost, does this artist
need a bus?
I know a group, a very good group as a matter of fact, that
traveled for years and years in a GMC van (no conversion) with 7 people
and a trailer full of equipment behind. They had at least one song that
made it into the oh so important top “80 Chart” and not only did they
travel all over the United States, they were happy while they were at
it. Sure they reached a point where they could afford a bus and bought
one. Then, after years, they could stretch their legs, and was much more
comfortable, and yes they paid for their own bus they didn’t ask someone
else to pay for it. So for a soloist that usually travels alone to tell
me they “need” a bus is just crazy.
I know I’m going to get slammed with email because I said
artists don’t need buses. Go back and re-read the article I didn’t come
close to saying that. Here’s what I said: If a soloist, traveling alone
wants a bus, then go buy one but don’t you dare build a page in your
website and use it to try to convince those visiting that the Lord told
you that you needed a bus, found the bus for you and now “HE” expects
someone else to pay for it for you. That’s what I said and I stand by
it. If you decide you need a bus and don’t have the money to buy one,
don’t blame it on the Lord, try getting a job and paying for it, don’t
dare try to shame God’s people into feeding your ego.
Anyone want to buy the ole Gator a new laptop…..
As always the ole Gator welcomes your opinions and I'm happy to post them in the letters section of the Gospel Music Times each week. The best part is, you don't have to agree with me to get your letter posted. Send your comments to: Info@GospelMusicTimes.com subject: Gator.
Note: All opinions expressed by the "Gator" or on the opinions page are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the owners and staff of the Gospel Music Times or it's advertisers.
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