|
|
||||
|
GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE |
||||
|
While discussing the Quartet Live television program with Blanche Goodson, she said something that really stuck with me about groups having a video that is worthy of being aired on television. Her observation was that “going to the next level is not for everyone.” The next level, in this instance is being (or becoming) a major/national gospel recording artist or group. After reflecting on her observation, I came to the same conclusion. The lingering question is why not? Well, let’s explore some possible answers even though efforts to answer the question may actually raise more questions.
Many groups think that having a hit record is enough to make it to the next level. Not so. There are many 'one hit wonder group.’ It doesn’t mean the group was not good. It just meant that one ‘hit’ song is not enough to take you to the next level.
Many think that getting their name out there is what it will take to get to the next level. To some extent that may be true. However, are you really prepared to get your name out there? When was the last time you attended church while you were on the road? I often invite groups that are in my city to attend church with me. Tyrone Porter, Teddy Cross, and many others have done so. They didn’t just sit (or sleep) in their hotel room until time to go to the program. They actually attended the church service.
When was the last time you attended a gospel quartet program that was not in your town? When was the last time you picked up the telephone and called someone at a record label that you may have met at a convention, program or at church just to say hello. Not wanting anything, but just want to, with sincerity, say, ‘how are you?’
When was the last time you suggested another groups’ music to someone? It is certainly nothing wrong with self-promotion. It is a must. But, it says a lot about the character of someone that will promote others, even when it may not be beneficial to their group.
How often does your group practice? Yes, there are some groups that wait until they are on a program to practice. And, certainly it must be taken into consideration that most singers and musicians work. However, it takes more than a practice here and there to get to the next level. You must ask yourself are you really willing to put the time into practicing often. When Doc McKenzie was asked how often his group practices, he said "everyday. We work on some part of our music ministry everyday. One day it might be assessing what went wrong at a program. Another day it might be assessing what went right. On most days we rehearse our songs, even songs that we have been singing for years. Some days we just work with the musicians. And we are always working on new songs” he said. Doc went on to say he is never satisfied with the group’s on-stage performance. “There is always something we could have done better,” he admitted.
Bill Pinkney, better known for his days with The Drifters, indicated the same. Bill Pinkney’s Gospel Drifters practices as often as possible, sometimes all day long. According to Mr. Pinkney, if you are ever satisfied with your performance of a song, you are only fooling yourself.
So, are you really prepared to put in the time it takes to get to the next level? Practice makes perfect. How often do you practice?
Have you asked yourself – why you would like to get to the next level? Is it for the money and notoriety or is it really so that you can minister to the masses? Or is it for some other reason?
Can you handle rejection? What about being put on a program at a spot you think is not worthy of your talents? Do you get upset about it, or do you adjust and minister to those in attendance as if you were the only group at the concert? Do you really understand that sometimes the crowd will be “slim” and you will not be paid what you were promised? Have you paid your dues? Have you traveled the road less taken and have had more disappointments than successes? Talk to Mr. Ira Tucker about the journey of the Dixie Hummingbirds. Talk to Clay Graham or read the book about the pilgrimage of the Pilgrim Jubilees. Talk to Percy Griffin about the ups and downs of the Swanee Quintet.
How many of the major artists have you really had a heart-to-heart conversation with? You will find that they are more than willing to talk with you. Talk to Huey Williams about what it takes to keep a group together. Talk to Joe Ligon about being creative in your delivery of a song. Talk to Luther Barnes about how to write a good gospel song.
Are you ready? Are you really ready? Well then, what does “taking it to the next level” really mean to you - doing things the same way it has always been done, - doing things differently? Does it mean sounding like your favorite singer? What about ministering to the masses? What does it really mean to you?
As you ponder these questions and others that will come to mind, make sure that you are really ready to “take it to the next level” before trying to do so. It just might be that your song ministry is to minister to those in your hometown. For others, it just might be recording but not performing. Still for others, it just might be performing and never recording. And finally, it could be that you and your group are the next major artists to be discovered.
Whatever your song ministry, make sure that you are truly ready for the next level before trying to get there.
Gloryland Gospel Soteria Management & Consultants, LLC |
||||
|
|
Copyright © 2006 Soteria Management & Consultants, LLC Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without written permission. |
|
||