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The Ups and Downs of Promoting Quartet Gospel Concerts |
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When asked to write this article, I had mixed emotions about writing it. Should I paint a glowing picture of promoting quartet gospel concerts? Should I be candid? Should I be selective in what I say? Or, should I just be me. I decided to just be me. Also, this article provides the perfect opportunity for me to say things that the groups and promoters (current and future) need to know. So, here goes.
I have been promoting Gospel shows since 1997. I have booked some of the top groups in the gospel music industry. You name them, I probably have booked them.
My first venture into promoting was on the local level. The programs were well attended, spirited and encouraging. In September 1999, I did my first major show featuring Dottie Peoples, The Christianaires, Slim and The Supreme Angels and The Williams Brothers. This program, by all indicators, was a success.
In July 2002, I promoted what I would consider a mega gospel program. According to other promoters and radio announcers, it was, up until that time, one of the biggest gospel quartet programs that had ever been booked in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and surrounding states. Some of the national groups I had on program were The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s, The Williams Brothers, Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites and Darrell McFadden and The Disciples. Needless to say, it was standing room only; about 600 people out of almost 6000 had to be turned away.
In January 2003, I put together another major program. I booked, for the first time in South Carolina, “The Williams Brothers Anniversary.” This was a highly successful program. Again, people had to be turned away. In May 2004, I sponsored Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites’ Anniversary and had about 2000 people in the building.
In January 2005, I promoted the Annual New Year’s Day program. This time I was confronted with much opposition. It seemed that my earlier successes lead groups and others to think that I had a deep pocket. Well, I did not have a deep pocket. Because, although I thought all of the previous programs were successful, I did not measure success based on the profit. Success to me was in people coming together and giving God the praise. And, if one soul turned their life over to Christ, then, for me, the program was a success.
Well, along with not having a deep pocket, I also experienced personal problems. But, I was determined to put on the Annual New Year’s Day program. I didn’t have time to take care of my obligations to the groups and many of them didn’t show up. However, Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites, Darrell McFadden and Disciples, Luther Barnes and The Sunset Jubilaires, and The Gospel Four showed up and ministered. These groups sang to the Glory of God and I do believe that everyone in attendance was blessed.
After the 2005 Annual New Year’s Day program, each program I promoted seem to receive less and less support. I had to keep reminding myself that the reason I was doing the programs was not about me but about giving God the Glory. So, I had, what some may consider a couple of ‘bad’ shows. I personally was not proud of the outcome of the programs. But, I was not going to give up. God had brought me too far and through to many ups and downs for me to turn around.
Now, I took time to outline the above to point out a couple of things. For many years, every concert I sponsored was successful. I had groups calling me everyday. I was their friend and they sang my praises. However, when I had a couple of 'bad' programs, the same people that sang my praise were now spreading negative, and yes hurtful, rumors about me. Some told other groups not to work with me because I wouldn’t pay them.
Some of the groups weren’t honest, it wasn’t that I didn’t pay them, but if their contract required $9,000.00 and I gave them $8,000.00 then they would tell people they didn’t get paid. Their were groups that I was short a $1,000.00 or $1,500.00 and they would not come out on stage and sing until I gave them a post dated check. I gave them a check to cash on a certain date and they would cash it before that date. Needless to say they would tell people that I gave them a fraudulent check and that was not the case. I am not pointing the finger at any group. I recognize my mistakes and I have my faults. I am only stating the facts. I’m just being me.
In April 2006, God begin to restore success in my promoting by allowing me to be appointed over the gospel music division of Three Rivers Musical Festival. This festival was one of the largest musical festivals to be held in South Carolina. And, in spite of the way I was treated by some groups, I did not let that prevent me from placing them on the program. I put together the gospel program for 2006 and 2007.
In July 2007, I had a great program with The Jackson Southernaires, The Lighthouse Singers, and David Harrison and The Bells of Joy. These guys really ministered. They showed me that God is not through with me yet.
For the past (7) years, I have been responsible for securing the gospel groups for the Annual Martin Luther King Gospel Fest for The University of South Carolina. Each program was outstanding. Some of the group I have booked for this annual program are The Williams Brothers, The Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s, Doc McKenzie and Hi-Lites, True Believers, and Luther Barnes and The Sunset Jubilaires.
I have enjoyed promoting and will continue to do so. I have learned so much through my successes, my failures and my mistakes. I consider the failures and mistakes as stepping stones. Why? If I hadn’t had some failures and mistakes, if I hadn’t had some downfalls, I would have never known the areas in which I needed to improvement. And, I give all the praise to God for the successes.
I am thankful to God for those persons, promoters, groups and those that are a part of the Gloryland family that hung in there with me. I want to personally thank them for not jumping on the band wagon of rumors. I also what to encourage other promoters to not to let the rumors stop you. If God has given you promoting gospel music as a ministry, don’t let anyone prevent you from doing what God has called you to do.
I have called groups that I use to book and some will not return the phone calls. I have called groups and they have given me extremely high prices or told me that they were booked already. Then, I would have someone else to call and the date would be open and the prices thousands of dollars cheaper. Needless to say, I was hurt. But, I never gave up.
Promoters prepare yourself for the ill treatment you will receive. Be mindful that some people will forever hold things against you. Unfortunately, this is something I continue to experience. But, I will continue what I believe God has called me to do.
There are a lot of good groups in the Quartet Gospel arena and I am going to use all those who will work with me. I encourage all promoters to hang in there. Keep it going even when things get hard. Remember it is not about us, but about giving God the Glory, giving God the Praise, and ministering to others. You never know when there is someone in attendance that will hear something in one of the songs that will cause them to turn their life around. And, that makes it all worth the trials you will go through.
Evangelist Loretta Coleman L. C. Ministries |
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