From Columbus to Columbia

January 1, 2006, will not only mark the beginning of a new year, but will also be a day that is unique to the gospel quartet music industry.  On January 1, 2006, two major gospel quartet concerts will be held - one in Columbus, Mississippi and the other in Columbia, South Carolina.  At first glance you may think these concerts have little in common.  However, a closer look will reveal many similarities and something very significant about the gospel quartet genre – more about that later.

The first similarity is that both concerts will feature the very best gospel quartet groups and artists currently touring the Country.  The Columbus concert will features Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson and The Spiritual Voices, The Canton Spirituals and 10 other groups.  The Columbia concert will features Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites, Slim and The Supreme Angels, Darrell McFadden and The Disciples and 9 other groups.  Looking at the lineups, it is easy to conclude that there are only about 4 or 5 groups that tour the country regularly that are not on one of the concerts.  Also, in a bit of ‘did you know,’ both concerts feature one of the two major groups that are headed by cousins.  Yes, Keith and Darrell are cousins.  And it is quite interesting that Keith will be on one concert, while Darrell will be on the other.

Secondly, the concerts are being held on New Year’s Day.  Many questioned the likelihood of the success of a gospel quartet concert on a day that finds most people visiting family and friends.  However, Loretta Coleman put to rest the question of whether you can have a successful gospel quartet concert on New Year’s Day.  The Columbia concert will be her second New Year’s Day concert.  Last year’s was a big success.  For more about that concert, see - http://scgospelquartet.com/News/January2005.html.

Thirdly, the concerts are being held in two (2) states that are bedrock states for gospel quartet music.  Obviously, there are many parts of the Country that love there gospel quartet music.  And yes, there are gospel quartet groups from almost all of the fifty states.  However, it is hard to argue with the fact that South Carolina and Mississippi have given the gospel quartet industry some of the best groups and individuals to be a part of the gospel music industry.  It would be very time consuming to list them all but just think, from Mississippi – The Williams Brothers, Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s, The Gospel Warriors, Frank Williams, The Bolton Brothers, Redemption, The Christianaires and the list could go on and on.  And from South Carolina – Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites, Bill Pinkney and The Gospel Drifters, Tommy Ellison and The Singing Stars, Julius Cheeks, The Five Singing Sons, Danny Walker, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Louis Johnson and the list could go on and on.  South Carolina will be represented at the Columbus concert because Keith is in fact a product of South Carolina.  Mississippi will be represented at the Columbia concert because The Jackson Southernaires are on the program.

Fourthly, both concerts are being advertised to the world.  The promoters have taken advertising a gospel concert to “the next level.”  Promoters are finding that “local” advertising of concerts is no longer the norm.  In fact, with people traveling more now than ever before, it is no longer expedient just to advertise a major, or any, concert in the local market where the concert is being held.  Both promoters are using the Internet to advertise their program.  And with attendees from the 2005 New Year’s Day program being from states other than South Carolina, it is fitting to advertise a major program like the New Year’s Day 2006 programs to the world.  As a result of the expanded advertisement, promoters and individuals from various parts of the Country are planning bus excursions to the concerts.  This new form of advertisement has the potential to maximize the use of the promoters’ advertising budget while increasing the number of attendees at concerts.

The fifth similarity is that, not surprisingly, the promoters of these two (2) concerts are females (Dr. Ella Mahmoud and Evangelist Loretta Coleman) that have taken it upon themselves to take gospel quartet promotions to the next level.  The promoters are seasoned, having brought to various communities some of the most successful concerts in recent times.  Success in this instance meaning not just the number of attendees, but song services that really minister to people.  You know that their concerts will be in a venue that is comfortable.  You know that they will do everything to make the audience feel welcome.  And you know that they will deliver what they advertise.

The sixth similarity is that both promoters are offering significant giveaways to someone in attendance.  The gifts are no longer the small monetary ones that is the result of a raffle.  The giveaways are one of a kind.  For instance, at the Columbus concert there is the potential for someone to receive a 3-day cruise or a complete computer system.  At the Columbia concert there is the potential for someone (and their guest) to attend the 2006 Stellar Awards, and for someone to attend the 2006 American Gospel Quartet Convention. 

Finally, it is interesting that the name of the two cities have the same six letters at the beginning.  The difference between the spellings of the two cities is in the last two letters “us’ and “ia.”  There is often asked the question – what is in a name?  In this case, what is in the name is a city that will be hosting an outstanding New Year’s Day 2006 gospel quartet concert.

Now, what significantly does all of this reveal about the gospel quartet genre?  Well, it should make everyone realize that gospel quartet music is alive and well.  It should also make everyone realize that it is not just enough to put on a concert.  What is required today to have a successful program is to apply all of the marketing traits that for so long have been used by everyone except the promoters of gospel quartet concerts.

Furthermore, the fact that two (2) major programs can be held on the same day, and both are in the South, requires cooperation on the part of the promoters in working together.  Although the cities are about 500 miles apart, there is a bridge that closes that 500-mile-gap.  That bridge being one of UNITY.  Unity in that one program is not trying to dominate the other. Unity in that both programs are scheduled to start about the same time.  Unity, in that the admission cost for each is about the same.  Unity - the promoter of the Columbia program will be recognized with an award at the Columbus program.  Unity in that it appears both promoters realize that it is not about them, but it is about putting together a program that will edify our Lord and Savior and at the same time provide an ideal song service for fans of gospel quartet music to begin the New Year. 

We commend Dr. Mahmoud and Evangelist Coleman for the forethought, foresight and the planning that went into putting together these concerts.  We encourage you (the gospel quartet fan) to take advantage of the opportunity and attend one of these outstanding concerts.  With either lineup, you will not be disappointed. 

Joseph L. Smalls, Jr., Esquire

Gloryland Gospel

www.glorylandgospel.com

Soteria Management and Consultants, LLC

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