The Changing Face of Gospel Music - Part 3
By Tony Watson
January 5, 2010
People regularly speculate about what it takes to "make it" as far as longevity goes, in gospel music. I've been observing the industry we know as Southern Gospel music for over 20 years now and I've seen many groups come, a bunch go, and a few survive, and a few thrive.
What are the elements above others that help a group to have the staying power of some of the groups of past or recent history that have had extended periods of success? Is it great talent? While that helps you have a good sound, it doesn't necessarily help you build your fan base over time. Is it radio success? Much of the country has either very poor or no local Southern Gospel radio stations so that is not it. (To be honest, I never look a the charts anymore). Is it good recordings? Well that certainly helps but groups are seldom identified by their recordings as a big marker.
Then what is it??? If I'm speaking the plain, unvarnished truth, it comes down to two elements, "stay there" and commitment. When I say "stay there, I mean have the same faces, or most of the same faces, show up in every place, every year for an extended period. Southern Gospel music is more relationships than music if we are brutally honest. The commitment speaks to a commitment to doing the right things the right way, for the right reason - and treating people accordingly. If you follow those two (along with being on the road for the right reasons), combine it with some degree of
talent - that is a formula for success in SG music.
