Comments on: What a label can do

By: JP

JP — Sat, 19 May 2007 03:49:31 +0000

According to DBM, my wish just came true. According to Claude, the Hoppers “The Ride” project will be releasing on the resurrected Canaan Label through Word.

By: arnold cenzaboy

arnold cenzaboy — Fri, 18 May 2007 12:14:49 +0000

JP-are you sure you and Doug haven’t had a conference call on this one? Glad you brought your dictionary and thesaurus. About the Budapest thing. . . . I remember when going overseas to get cheap labor would cause an outcry from the AFL-CIO! There are a lot of fine string sections in the USA.

By: JP

JP — Thu, 17 May 2007 18:14:25 +0000

In regards to comment #4, I don’t know when or if Doug and Wayne ever met, but I’ve met Wayne and he definitely lives up to his reputation. A nice guy but very dedicated to his Artists. Wayne is a quintessential professional in an industry that could use a few more, when you hear that big lush string arrangement, rest assured that Wayne has been to Budapest again. I think what you are terming an obsession is simply a reflection of Doug’s taste - notwithstanding the talent of the artist, Wayne makes the kind of music that will contribute to the longevity of the Southern Gospel genre.

As far as DBM’s comment, one example would be the new Jeff and Sheri Easter project, “Life is Great and Getting Better” where they had total artistic control, but then used Daywind (and by extension, Word and New Day) to handle the distribution. Of course, not every group has the clout of Jeff and Sheri, some would need oversight and direction from the label, but since they are a proven entity, it’s turning out ot be a “win/win” situation. Would be nice if the Hoppers could quickly do the same with the resurrected Canaan label with their “Ride” project.

By: Leebob

Leebob — Thu, 17 May 2007 14:38:24 +0000

My questions to Canaan are as follows:

1. Are they going to be like every other “promotional” company and only use the established good ole boy (and girl) groups? I get a kick out of the “promoters” who only use established groups. Essentially they are not promoting anybody. They are only using the groups to promote themselves. They have grown comfortable in their work, left their first love of promoting new groups, and rest in the work they have already established. I guess that is okay because they have earned that right.

2. Are the “new” groups they do promote only going to be promoted because the groups front the money? We might as well face it that the “accidental” finding of talent days are over with. Now if you have alot of money, a little bit of talent, and are self-serving enough, you too can buy your way into a contract. Thanks, but no thanks, I am not interested in spending $900 to have a song or two placed on a compilation cd so you can have the established group get the air play.

3. What perameters will Canaan establish to decide who is in and who is out? Will it be $, or actual talent. Without getting into any name calling, I for the life of me do not understand how certain “national” groups have made it. I think there are certain groups that are like hockey. They have a strong core group of fans that will defend them to the end and denounce anybody who dares to criticize. However, they do not see any REAL growth.

By: arnold cenzaboy

arnold cenzaboy — Thu, 17 May 2007 14:06:29 +0000

Your obsession with Wayne Haun is interesting. Are you guys pals or what?

By: JP

JP — Thu, 17 May 2007 14:00:09 +0000

It is very frustrating for Christian Bookstores to have a customer walk in and ask, for example, for the Hoppers new project and have to tell them, “I’m sorry, we’ve checked with all of our distributors and none of them are able to supply that for us”. There are a lot of people out there who are unwilling or unable to use mail order or online ordering.
Sure there are some stores who don’t do the homework to check on availability, but those that do deserve some consideration from the Artists. You would think that a group like the Hoppers would be willing to give up that % difference between wholesale and retail to be represented in stores across the country and especially in areas where they do not tour.

By: GospelMusicFan

GospelMusicFan — Thu, 17 May 2007 11:48:13 +0000

There is one thing that alot of other groups do not do. Hoppers do their homework and fufill constituent services down to an individual basis.
Some and I mean only some groups need a distribution plan designed by the experts because the group lacks a motivation to have a consistent plan in place throughout the entire year.
What you do, where you do and how you do it should be just as important as the magical word of distribution.
Distribution sounds nice but you still have to connect with the masses.
Its all about the homework.

By: te

te — Thu, 17 May 2007 10:35:13 +0000

I agree with DBM, the Florida Boys have needed help in the studio for some time. They are rapidly becoming just an average group resting on their past accomplishments in a “what have you do for me lately” world.