You’re right, though, about the economics of the Christian music bidness. That’s exactly why you see little or no s/g coming from the 3 major labels you mentioned. And since they are owned by major secular entertainment companies, the artists and sales & marketing people can tell you it’s still about ministry, but the owners (if honest) will tell you it’s about profits. Like most corporations, it’s whatever gives the stock holders the biggest return on their investment.

And that’s the way it is.

Just because an artist is on Spring Hill did not mean that the artist was automatically a Homecoming artist, although most were on the videos not all were on the regular tour.

Furthermore from what I understood the reason why they left Southern Gospel was to be more profitable thus going more towards Praise and Worship and Christian Rock. When I was at the label the sales figures from Sound Scan did not lie. Scott Krippayne, Wayne Watson, Al Denson and several others sold more units than most SG releases outside of the Gaither Vocal Band and The Martins.

Also it was very rare to see Mr. Gaither at the company. He did come to the offices but that might have been once or twice per year. While I am involved in Southern Gospel Music I think from what I have seen that Spring Hill does not even involve themselves in Southern Gospel any longer. I could be wrong but most likely the Jason Crabb release would not even tend to be anything like we have heard his music from the past.

When talking profits, if a SG artist sells 10,000 units in one year on a project they would be considered to have done well. Do that in Secular say like for Sony, Curb, MCA or others or maybe in CCM say like for Provident, Word or Sparrow you would not be invited back next year. We all need to have the priority that we are in this for ministry, but keep in mind you also have to manage your business.

Put $20,000 dollars into a SG recording. Then sell the recording to the artist for $2 per unit. The artist only orders 2000 and you only sell 1000 units to retail. You do the math

However, as a big Jason Crabb fan, i’m happy that he signed on with gaither…congrats jason!

In a psych course I took years ago, the prof made the comment you could call a person a liar (or worse) to their face, and get by with it, as long as you were laughing. But if you had a scowl on your face, it would not be taken so well.

Aren’t people strange?

(That was said with a smile on my face, my tongue in my cheek, and 3 fingers pointing back to myself.)

Thanks for the reply. Sometimes I read the posts in a tone that the author may not have intended.

As for adding Crabb as a regular on the Homecoming tour - I don’t see that happening. It would probably help with the attendance and add to the longevity of the series by attracting younger fans, as has the whole EHSS phenomenon, (as contrived as it is), But, I don’t see much upshot for Crabb. Does he really need the dates? Maybe so, but I doubt it.

To paraphrase the apostle Paul, “By all means, that you might sell some.”

Sorry if it sounded condescending. No condescension was intended, only a vigorous argument on a level playing field in good academic fashion (a format with which Avery should be familiar).

There’re lots of things I don’t know, either. And many times I learn from Avery.

Very well put. Good analysis. I agree with your ‘bottom line’; Gaither doesn’t really need to try and expand into every nuance of the evangelical subculture. He already has enough penetration and exploring the sales potential of sub-genres probably wouldn’t be worth the time it would take to develop. His broad-brush approach, albeit with the politically-correct hat tips to various strains of evangelicalism, is working well. So with signing and developing any artist, the question is, will it sell?

I agree with most of the comments on Spring Hill. They’ve had a split personality for years all the while putting out some very good product. I can only hope SH redevelops into a viable label with a clearly defined mission and the resources to back it up.

Thank you for pointing out the conflation between the holiness and pentecostal tradition. I also appreciate how willing you
are to point out Doug’s “confusion.” Please keep your condescending posts coming. It’s snowy and cold here and we need more hot air.