Charles Brady - Editor - SoGospel.Com

While it is true that the Gospel Music industry trails a few years behind the secular music industry it is a clear signal that the days of physical products are swiftly coming to an end and artists who have in the past just shrugged off the digital distribution elements of their recording contracts had better quickly learn the value of the digital aspect of their contracts.

Digital distribution rights in todays economy represent the largest single income element in music sales for an artist (or label). Think of it. Once the song is recorded and released and promoted the costs of the physical product and its distribution to the fan is almost nil. Translation: 90% or more pure profit. No manufacturing cost, no shipping cost from the manufacturer to distributors, no warehousing costs, no printing costs, no shipping costs to the fan. Just 90% or more profit. And these days artists and labels are moving (and rightly so) toward direct distribution to the fan. Why pay itunes or some other company 50% or more and get lost among millions of other tunes when you can keep 100% by doing direct distribution through the artist or record label website? Some may say well it’s because that’s where the fans are and if you are a very well known artist that may be true. What confuses me though are the artists who push fans to iTunes from their own website while the fan could buy it directly on the artist site? How dumb is that? It’s like saying hey fan! I’m glad you’re here and you can buy my song directly here on my site and my ministry gets 100% or you can click on this iTunes link I have posted here on my site and I may get 10-40% in a couple months…. HEY DUMMY’S! HERE’s YOUR SIGN! DUH….

While many record labels push the artists towards performance & tours for their income it is important for any artist who is serious about their future and their future income earnings to become students of contract law or a client of a competent music attorney for guidance in future contract negotiations.

Houston’s passing also sheds light once again on the value of the songwriter and the publishing aspect of an artists career. Singer/Songwriters often fall prey to contracts that fold in the writers & publishing royalties into the hands of the record label. But that’s another article in itself!

For now here is an interesting video regarding the future earnings or lack thereof for the Houston estate. Now if we could just eliminate the thugs, drugs and enablers of these great talents maybe we could enjoy them beyond age 50.

For Greg and Jill Lanyon, weekends consist of traveling to local churches and conferences around their hometown of Stanthorpe in rural Australia. Although there are many Southern Gospel fans in this area of Australia, the genre is not widely sung, and Christian bookstores that would provide physical copies of the music are sparse. Even churches are widespread, making it difficult for many families to regularly attend. Working as a team, Greg and Jill travel to these churches, ministering through both the Word and song. At the urging of close friends and family, the Lanyons decided that it might be time to take the next step in their ministry by having Jill record her very first CD. “We are ministering in rural areas without a lot of spiritual influence. These songs really minister and encourage the people who hear them,” shares Jill Lanyon. “Doing a CD is a way to leave the music with them that they can continue to enjoy after we’re gone.” After nearly 20 years of using Daywind soundtracks, the Daywind name was at the forefront of their minds when choosing the right studio in which to record the CD. Upon further research and a meeting with Daywind’s Rick Schweinsberg, Daywind’s excellence within Southern Gospel music and involvement with the top groups in the industry became evident, and the Lanyons decided that recording at Daywind Studios was the right choice.

Looking for a professional, yet personal experience, all while receiving the best value for the money, the Lanyons made the nearly 9,000 mile trip from Stanthorpe, Australia to Hendersonville, TN. Jill spent the first day recording vocals in the Daywind studio, with award-winning Daywind songwriter Marty Funderburk in the producer’s chair. After completing the vocals on the 10-song CD, the second day included a professional photoshoot at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Resort. Within a couple weeks, the mixes and graphics will be finalized, and Jill Lanyon’s first custom CD will be available for those congregations in Australia.

“Our experience with Daywind from beginning to end has been exceptional,” comments Greg Lanyon. “The professionalism of the equipment and the studio was great. The equipment is very modern and the staff was great! Thanks to Rick [Schweinsberg] for all his help in getting us around and we look forward to continuing our association with Daywind in the future.”

Johnny Sansom, Director of the Daywind Recording Department, adds, “It was such a pleasure working with and having the Lanyons with us here at Daywind Studios. They found out about our recording services through the use of our soundtracks that they have been using for many years. This is a true testament of how Daywind tracks are used around the world.”

For more information on Daywind Studios, visit daywindrecordingstudio.com. For more information on Daywind Soundtracks, visit daywind.com or call 1.800.635.9581.

Daywind Music Group is based in Hendersonville, TN, and is distributed worldwide through New Day Christian Distributors. Daywind Records is home to such great artists as Greater Vision, Blackwood Brothers, and the Mark Trammell Quartet, among others.

The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is a non-partisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. Their mission is to advance biblical truth; to promote media excellence; and to defend free speech. In addition to promoting standards of excellence, integrity, and accountability, NRB also provides networking, educational, ministry, and fellowship opportunities for its members.

Michael Youssef, Ph.D

The 2012 NRB Convention & Exposition will feature a presentation by Michael Youssef, Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, during the Tuesday, February 21st International Keynote Session at NRB 2012 in Nashville, TN.

NRB President & CEO Dr. Frank Wright commented, “We are delighted to have Michael speak at NRB 2012. His passion for reaching the lost for Christ is an encouragement to so many.”

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and on-the-ground ministry teams. His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast in 20 languages and seen in more than 200 countries — airing 3,800 times per week. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt, and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. He holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia, and from Fuller Theological Seminary in California. In 1984, he earned a Ph.D. in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 20 books, including his most recent, The Greatest Lie.

The Rick Webb Family

Attendees to the convention this year will be in for a special musical treat as they get to enjoy America’s Premiere Family Vocal Group, The Rick Webb Family. This year the Rick Webb Family was presented with the Radioactive Airplay Artist of Year and Song of Year awards. The Artist of the Year and Song of the Year are the most prestigious awards presented by radio as they represent more than 3200 broadcasters and millions of listeners world-wide. The Rick Webb Family recently launched their 30th Anniversary Celebration Tour this year with stops across the nation at many of America’s most prestigious churches and convention centers.

The annual NRB Convention & Exposition is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assist those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic Exposition consists of nearly 200 companies and is an active marketplace for those seeking tools and services to expand their ministries. NRB 2012 is being held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN, February 18-21, 2012. For registration and other Convention information go to: www.nrbconvention.org

To learn more about The Rick Webb Family you can visit their website at: www.rickwebbfamily.com

According to Radioactive Airplay spokesperson Charles Brady, “Danny has released several songs at Radioactive Airplay and is currently one of our Top 5 artists. This latest release “Reasons” is by far one of the most moving and powerful songs I’ve heard. I’ve often said that no one can connect with a song like a singer-songwriter can and Danny Norman is one of the top in the nation right now! This is an incredible song and radio loves it!”

“Reasons,” was inspired by an incident that took place with a friend of Danny’s, who is also a pastor, during one of his concerts. As Danny was ministering in song to his friend’s congregation and souls were being stirred, everyone began to feel the spirit of revival. As Danny began to encourage his friend, he realized the message was going to the pastor and not the congregation and that God was preparing his friend for something in the near future. Shortly after this experience, Danny turned on his computer to find that some of his friend’s immediate family had been killed in an auto accident. That afternoon Danny was found by his wife weeping in his study and writing “Reasons.” Inspired by real-life events, this song & video will move you.

Video Director Scott Lucas of Catacomb Music stated, “This video was an incredible experience. It is one thing to direct such an emotional video, but to also act in it… too much for words“, says Scott. “I believe that this video is going to touch so many lives & look forward to hearing the stories that come in from people after they have viewed the ‘Reason’s’ music video.”

For more information on Danny Norman visit http://www.dannynorman.net

Charles Brady

As an artist involved in music ministry great care needs to be taken to protect at all times the public perception of your personal life, your calling and your message. How is your personal life and ministry perceived? What steps do you take to keep the message of your ministry on track and the perception of the validity of your calling in the proper context?

While the internet and all of its promotional possibilities is a wonderful thing for mass exposure, Christian Artists in particular must use caution and care to make sure that their message is heard clearly and not distorted by secular things like personal opinions or secular activities or thoughts from a bad mood day.

I think Jesus summed it up pretty well when He said “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.”

Any artist who declares that their “personal life is none of anyone’s business” may need to look for other lines of work….. Because like it or not, your life IS your ministry! Especially when you’re tweeting it to the world!

Charles Brady-Editor & Publisher
SoGospel.Com

“It is a huge honor for The Oak Ridge Boys to be presented with the James D. Vaughan Impact Award,” said Duane Allen, lead singer for the Oaks, when told of the news. “Southern style gospel music is the foundation of harmony, which is the sound of The Oak Ridge Boys. We all grew up loving the great gospel quartets and gospel music. We are very humbled to have been chosen to receive this award and look forward to its presentation.”

Group members Duane Allen, William Golden, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban will attend to accept the award, named in honor of James D. Vaughan, a Southern gospel music pioneer and one of the genre’s founders.

Past recipients include Bill Gaither, James Blackwood, Les Beasley, Bob Brumley, Mosie Lister, Paul Heil, Eva Mae LeFevre, J.G. Whitfield, Lari Goss, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton and the Statler Brothers.

“The name Oak Ridge has long been associated with gospel music,” said Charlie Waller, SGMA Executive Director. “Even today the Oaks are still delivering the gospel sound to their audiences in their own inimitable fashion. “Their endeavors to persevere have not gone unnoticed,” he said. “Their rich gospel music legacy makes us proud to honor them with the James D. Vaughan Impact Award.”

According to Waller, the Oak Ridge Quartet, founded in the 1940s, became popular in Southern gospel during the 1950s. “Their name was officially changed to the Oak Ridge Boys in the early 1960s,” he said. “This group was one of the all-time favorite quartets in gospel music history and by 1973 began to make their entry into country music by signing with Columbia Records.”

The Oak Ridge Boys enjoyed 25 top ten singles, including 13 number one hits while continuing to tour and record today, he said. Waller said their most popular gospel songs included “I Know,” “King Jesus” and the ever popular, “Jesus Is Coming Soon,” written by SGMA Hall of Fame member, the late R.E. Winsett.

The SGMA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be on Oct. 3, 2012 at DP’s Celebrity Theatre at Dollywood, home of the Southern Gospel Music Museum and Hall of Fame. Seating is reserved, and tickets are $75 ($55 for Dollywood season pass holders) and include one-day Dollywood admission, parking and lunch as well as Dollywood’s more than 40 rides, shows and attractions.

Tickets go on sale March 1st and must be purchased in advance by calling the SGMA office at (865) 908-4040.

The SGMA is a non-profit organization that maintains the Southern Gospel Music Museum and Hall of Fame, the only facility honoring Southern gospel music and dedicated to the historic preservation of the genre’s accomplishments, both for the music and the people. Museum hours coincide with Dollywood’s operating schedule. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information about the museum or its inductees, visit www.sgma.org.

The event will take place February 23-25, 2012, just outside of Pensacola, Florida. Camping and Hotels are nearby. The Three Night event will feature performances by many of Gospel Music’s premiere artists including: The Perrys, Kingsmen, Dove Brothers, Diplomats, Buddy Liles, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Mark Trammell Quartet, Primitive Quartet, Karen Peck & New River, and the Dixie Echoes!

For complete details you can visit: www.stewartvarnado.com

Discounts are available for 3 night ticket packages. V.I.P. Reserved seating is available but limited. For the best seats, order NOW! Make your plans to come to Pensacola, Florida, this winter for a wonderful new event!

MUCH OF THE RESERVED SECTION HAS ALREADY BEEN SOLD!!! ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY FOR GREAT RESERVED SEATS!!!