Anonymity is fine until you bring someone’s family into it. Then it IS cowardly. “Tweaking” someone as you call it is a ton of fun, and I do it all the time without my real name. But there is a difference between a tweak and an attack. Requesting someone muster up the man grapes to own an attack isn’t machismo, it’s just good fun…or tweaking. Ok when you do it, but not when I do it? For shame, my furry little friend.

By the way, no one looks at my website…ever. I only had about 25 hits in the whole month of May, and I doubt I’ll get any off this post.

I’m out. Y’all take care.

Sincerely,

Definitely Not Aaron Fox
But if I were, I’d still be better than Mark
Nowhere near Dallas, Texas

Mark Forester and I have been friends since grade school, and I’ve always been jealous of his success in Gospel Music. NOTE: The first person who tells me jealousy is a sin is going to win the “Captain Obvious” award, so save the faux religious speak for someone who cares. I was (and still am…a little) jealous and regretful that I took the corporate route while he successfully followed through with our childhood aspirations.

Anyhoo, I suspect “Smarter than you!” is a no-talent local quartet wannabe who drags $40,000 worth of equipment around in an old Ford Pinto (that he childishly referrers to as “the bus”) and sets it up in a 10-seat auditorium while dressed like a 1997 version of Ernie Haase. To hide behind a computer like a preteen girl and post something so vile without a name shows a lack of ethics and statesmanship that emphasizes this guy’s risibly low IQ as well as woeful lack of knowledge of Mark’s ministry. I don’t claim to have a ministry, so I’m free to sling it like I see it…

I’m not going to defend Mark; he’s a grown man and can take care of himself. I’m simply writing to call out “Smarter than you!” and challenge him to man up, post again and own these ridiculous comments.

Mark, I was surprised to see that you posted an apology. To be side-swiped in a public forum by an anonymous coward warranted your original response! You’re a much better Christian than I am, because I would have relied on my “saved by grace” clause to light a fire under this moron…and repent later, of course.

Well, that’s a wrap for me. I can’t believe I am writing a post praising Mark Forester. I prefer my modus operandi of taking cheap shots at him…out of a curious mixture of admiration, friendship and the aforementioned jealousy of course!

Aaron Fox
Better baritone than Mark
Dallas, Texas
aaron@sogotunes.com

I read the book Simple Church….good book that can apply to many areas of life.

Yeah, I wished I was calmer on my response but it was shocking to see myself singled out for saying what everyone else was saying.

The thing about SG is that there are so many people who have great ministries, make a living, and are very busy ….but they are unknown in the “industry.” As I said , choose not to play the industry game and you can actually do well.

Whoever “smartr than you” is must have an axe to grind with me. I never knew I had an enemy so maybe he should come to me so we could work (whatever it is) out.

I attended a Simple Church conference that I think promotes some principles that would help SG or, for that matter, any ministry. Keep in mind what your purpose is and your process for getting there, then let others talk you into adding other things to make your ministry “go.” The bus illustration is one that helps explain this concept. Get a bus if you need it, but if it is not necessary to help you do your job then ditch it. Many churches are cutting ministries that duplicate other ministries and are beginning to see overall growth because they have regained their focus.

Good that you apologized…but, I was stunned at the attack that prompted your response. I know of none of the particulars, and know neither of you guys…but what “smarter than you” said about you, and how it was said, was pretty rough and unkind.

Neat you apologized. But I think if we were honest, most of us would have responded exactly as you did…

Sorry to everyone else!

Sure whatever. If you really know me than you know we did a 13 week tour this year to states all across the south. And you can say I am not getting flats if you want , fine, whatever. I just wonder then how I have been able to be full time for 14 years and sing in 21 states across the US. Not to mention Scotland and Canada. Never said the flats were 5 grand but most of our dates our flats nonetheless.

Never claimed to be a household name. Funny how you claim to know so much about me and how I run my buisness yet you didn’t have the stones to sign your name. Man up dude.

As far as being on a horse that is not plugged in…….at least my mommy does not make me wear one of those stupid training helmets like your mom does. hahahaha.

Why are you so bitter? Did we outsell you last week in concert?

I predict now that the “top tier” of gospel music groups will begin to be a much more recognizable and smaller group. Then the quality regional groups, after a period of time, may actually see their ministries prosper because less national groups coming further away from the southeast will create more demand.

I never have really understood the “status” part of the bus thing. For many in the congregation, it actually turns them off to see the big tour bus because they figure they are only in it for the money. With a van and trailer, I think that in many places, the love offerings would go up. Sometimes we forget that humility is a very endearing quality.

In regard to the bus issue, more people should be like my friends, Crossway, when they started out. Even after Ed Harper started booking them, they traveled in a 12 passenger van and pulled their equipment in a trailer. The van was not even converted.

It seems to me that a key to making it in this economy and with these fuel prices is to use a booking agent. They can arrange dates in such a way as to maximize efficiency and minimizing travel. I believe that even smaller groups could benefit from this.