Is the Christian Music Industry Corrupt?
I came across some articles that will give you insight in determining if the Christian Music Industry is corrupt? You be the judge after reading these articles. The other option is to Self Promote, so let’s dive into it! Unless a Christian artist wants to play the game of world promotion, they are not going to be recognized. They have the other choice to self-promote or just play for a hobby. Here are two articles showing the route the majority of Christians take to get their music played on Christian radio and secular worldly crossover stations in hopes of gaining recognition and more revenue.
I will say at the outset, don’t think for a moment you will get your Christian songs aired on AIR One or K-Love or WBGL to name a few. If you noticed, the groups of artist aired are typically the same one’s played over and over again. It seems that these radio stations are having a tough time staying on the air these days. They are having frequent marathons to generate revenue and say you just can’t live without us so support us. They are not about to take a chance on some unknown artist. It seems there’s a risk to damage their reputation but perhaps the biggest threat is the magnitude of on line streaming sites that whittle down their listens.
Wolves in Costume Article
For instance, look at Michael W. Smith per article “Wolves in Costume“. As the article states, Michael W. Smith never mentions the word Jesus in any of his songs or on his website and is known as a crossover artist, meaning his producers submit his music to secular stations along with Christian stations to make his name great and the music producers’ make money! Well for the record, I believe he recently mentioned Jesus in his live appearance and backup band on March 2021 in the 16th dove. Also the author of the article says MWS is not a Christian based on him saying “I think you have to go really work out your own salvation“. But I contend that there is a scripture saying just that, Philippians 2:12. But the article offers some interesting view points.
Apostasy Report Article
Here is the second article, video “Apostasy Report” stating that the Christian music we listen to is corrupt! Who sponsors the Christian label? Is it Sony, ECM, UMG, or Warner, who also support and distribute secular music and Icons? Will Non Christian labels openly accept Jesus lyrics? What ideology, heresy or message do the music artist promote? You will be surprised who the top leading artist promote!
To be Successful in the Christian Music industry
I’m being sarcastic here but these comments may be true? You be the judge?
Limit or don’t mention Jesus because it’s divisive!
Have the lyrics generally portray the soulish emotions and evade anything spiritual!
Have the Largest heathen industry giants like Sony or EMI support you as there aren’t big Christians sponsors.
Go down to Nashville Tennessee where the talents are waiting in line to back you up musically!
Why Charge for a Song?
Why anyone would charge for a song? In your mind you might say, music artists are making lots of money! I can assure you today that Independent Christian artist are not making any money selling downloads unless perhaps they are sponsored by the world music industry. Besides, many just copy the song anyways for free without thinking of the labor to produce the song.
Unless you’re some main star attraction, it’s not going to happen where you make money! Unless you go the route of Michael W. Smith, and plant yourself down in Tennessee where the talent is to back you up, it ain’t going to happen. Don’t plan on getting a tune played on Air1 or KLOVE as they always reply that they have too many emails to sort through and the usual response is that if it should fits their style.
How My Music is Made
One can Free-Lance his music and get labeled a Self-Promoter and get Spammed by Christians! If a person see’s all this hypocrisy in the music industry as discussed in previous topics, then why wouldn’t you support a Free-lance, Independent Christian Artist? I actually do not need the money for the music I produced but feel at the same time it should not be free. Since I was paid for my labor to work my entire life in the technology field, so should one that labors in music. It takes an artist hours and days to produce a song much like putting thoughts to a book and you pay for that so why not for a song you like that takes lots more work that writing a book or article.
Summary of Making Music:
- Catchy Rhythm: I play around with the mindset of creating a catching melody and beat first. Where to start, how to make a middle piece of a song and how to end it. Again, it takes time and lot of thought!
- Introduce Instruments: Then I spend days designing what music instruments will be introduced, I dislike the normal bass and guitar and drums scenario. Sorry folks if that’s all you play. Where to put in the drums and bass, and accompany instruments and for it to sound in harmony with each other!
- Practice: I practice over and over again, while introducing new instruments and practicing chords as experimenting takes lots of time, and in my viewpoint actually takes more labor than writing a book or an article! I’ve done both.
- Mix: I don’t have the luxury of going to have my songs mixed by a professional music label: I do it myself with computer technology. Some instrument has to be played louder and some softer at various times! Its not like being in a the church services where everything sounds blasting and at the same volume! Mixing a song is a world of difference.
Words: You have to come up with words and they have to be able to speak a message at various times in the song. One struggles back and forth flipping words in an out to sound smooth. And that takes a trick or two to do each time. How much scripture should I use and how about how much should I speak of Jesus!
Vocals: And then there the vocals, how hard can that be? Well you just go with what God gave you and make the best of it and sing away! Many contemporary artists for example Toby Mac to my knowledge have never crafted any song melody but only the lyrics and vocals. You struggle through it and it and after many attempts try to make it smoother. And then finally after many days a melody with vocals come to life with a message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing more and nothing less!
