On Being Successful in the Gospel Music Industry

Being a success in the music industry is a very hard and challenging business. Many articles have been written about artists that have been superstars only for their careers to end in ruin.  In the gospel music industry, it is a well-known fact that it is even harder to become successful.  Many articles have been written about gospel artists struggle to make ends meet. Today, I will be discussing an article written by Attorney James L. Walker entitled “12 Top Reasons Gospel Artists Go Broke”.  In this article, Walker listed the following reasons:

·      "They trust Jesus and anyone who uses “The Name of Jesus “to convince them not to read their contracts

·      They hire their choir members or deacons to be their managers

·      They pray daily but won’t read daily

·      They like shoes more than new money

·      They overprice themselves out of the marketplace and don’t understand market conditions

·      They like high profile big cars vs. large low profile bank account

·      They listen to their pastor’s advice before their attorney, accountant or manager

·      They think Jesus called them just to sing and they don’t worry about the business side of it.

·      They won’t read their contracts

·      They don’t understand Point, Publishing or Statutory Rates

·      They don’t read any contracts

·      They don’t realize that Jesus wept because a generation of singers would not get paid unless they read their contracts like they read the bible and pray"

(Walker, 2011)

When you look at the above reasons, a few things really stick out. 

·      If you are going to be in any business, you must get proper legal representation.   If you sign a contract and don’t know what it is saying, you will be on the losing end. 

·      Another issue is whom do you get to manage you?  You must have an expert in the music business, not the deacon or the choir leader.  They don’t have the expertise or connections in the music industry to successfully manage you. 

·      The third issue that really stands out is that you can’t put your cart before the horses.  Buying big fancy cars, clothing, and accessories before your career is really established will be a big downfall for any artist. 

·      Lastly, the issue of trust comes to play.  Will you listen to your pastor or will you listen to your lawyer, accountant or legitimate manager?  Remember, your pastor doesn’t know the music business. To avoid going broke, I would suggest pray and let God and your pastor lead you to getting lawyers, accountant and managers that come highly recommended from people in the industry that you can trust.  Interview them, speak to others they have managed, look them up and do background checks because this is your livelihood. 

·      Walker even suggests reading books like, “ All You Need to Know About the Music Business” by Donald Passman or Kashif’s book, “Everything You Better Know About the Record Industry”.  Walker also has written a book entitled, The Business of Urban Music. Read these books like you read the bible in order to protect yourself. 

It is important not to blindly trust anyone because they say they love Jesus.  You still have to read your contract and know the business your in, and hire professional help to manage your career like any other artist does.