Ever notice how, when it comes time to feature gospel artists at a major television event, you can kinda bet your money that you’ll see Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin or CeCe Winans among the performers?
Don’t get me wrong: I love the music ministries of these artists– they have labored HARD for the Lord and their gifts have made room for them, so that they can glorify God in other arenas.
But where does that leave the other artists? I think of folks like Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, the Hawkins family and the rest of the Winans family. On one hand, I say that God uses each of his vessels the way HE sees fit. Everyone ain’t the head, some are the arm or leg, and that’s gotta be cool with us. On the other hand, I think some folks are straight blockin’. 
So, questions: Is there an “upper eschelon” in gospel music? Are there just 4 or 5 major artists who get all the play, while everyone else is struggling to get recognition? Is it just an issue of God’s calling, or are some people really getting the short end of the stick because of business decisions?
Lemme know what you think. AND, name some artists that you think should be getting some more opportunities.
Your view is so true EJ. There are only few who gets the television play. We know about J Moss, but I think we overlook these artists like J Moss, Tonex, KeKe, 21:03, Canton Jones, Kelly Price Stephen Hurd and I can name more. That's why I hate that 106 and Gospel is cancelled, the show was exposing the tv audience to more gospel artist. Eventhough, Lift every Voice do more interviews, it's something about the show that doesn't catch my attention???????
Well of course there is an upper eschelon, but it's not a gospel thing. There is an upper eschelon in sports, music, tv, politics, even on our jobs. Even when it comes to the bible, there are some scriptures, some books of the bible, that are more popular than others. To make it a gospel thing isnt fair, its that way in everything. I don't think its so much the artist fault, at the end of the day its a business, and people have their favorites. So as much as I'd like to see my favorite basketball player on TNT, they will always play second fiddle to Lebron James and Kobie Bryant because they are more popular. So while we may complain that others are not getting there just due, we need to at least be thankful for the one that are and are hopefully drawing people to our genre of music. People get mad in gulf because Tiger gets all the press, but if there was no Tiger, gulf wouldnt even be as popular. Also, consider this: If you feel that your favorite artist isnt getting his or her props, maybe its because everyone doesnt feel the same way you do. There have been times that I thought a certain show was the greatest, only to find out that it got cancelled. When I checked the ratings I found that there wasnt too many people watching the show at all. So while you may think a certain singer isnt getting there props, I guarantee you there are other folks who just dont care for that artist. At the end of the day, the only place where all man will be created equal and there will be no favoritism is in heaven. Until then, that's just how it is in life, not just gospel music, but life period.
luda u put it perfectly...in my opinion these artist have a mainstream appeal ot to mention a track record....other artist will have they day this is just the season for these guys
its basically a bizness, you sell records, company makes money; put those same artists (that are selling records) on TV shows...ratings soar!! at the end of the day, its a business!!! Now (here I go), I expect that from mainstream media, but the Gospel Shows should really try and concentrate on an even spread; give the Gospel artists a chance/exposure. There are soooooooooo many ppl we all could name who work hard in the Gospel Industry. For example, Rance Allen 'just' won a Stellar Award after 40 yrs (if im not mistaken). This is just my take, but I REALLY wish the Gospe forums would really 'center' around the Gospel Artists. The magazine 'Gospel Today' (I think) started out with Gospel Artists, then it switched to feature 'seeminly' more mainstream/secular people. Again, I'm told its because of the money!! lol
Good topic. Yes, I agree w/ you all. . @Luda, you took the words right out of my mouth, it's even like that in church believe it or not so it's everywhere and the only place we won't see favoritism is in heaven. That's why I'm glad I found this website, EJ features artists in addition to mainstream artists.
@ebonisun: thanks for your kind words! I appreciate u. @luda: such a realist! I get WHY it happens-- I guess I should have been asking how we FEEL about it.
I can understand that folks like Kirk, Mary Mary, etc are the top sellers in gospel and how ratings operate in television. But honestly....the only real shows where Kirk, Donnie, Yolanda, and co. would be considered big ratings drawers is for Celebration of Gospel and the Stellar Awards anyway. lol Truth be told, these are not the "only" gospel artists that secular artists, producers, and audiences know. Others like Kim Burrell, The Clark Sisters, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Kierra Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, in addition to the ones you listed may not sell all the gold and platinum numbers. But I do know that many of them still hold name recognition with enough folks that EVERYBODY won't have to be looking at them crazy. Especially since some of the biggest secular artists have name-dropped some of these artists as personal influences. Especially the ones that grew up in the church which many of us forget sometimes. So it's okay to sprinkle in some different faces on the BET Awards and other BET honoree specials. Or the NAACP awards and other events. Not just Celebration of Gospel and Bobby Jones. lol
I think that's mainstream media's way of satisfying everyone. They know the gospel music shows are not as popular as the secular music shows. But, they realize there is a fan base and there are also people that only know the 'big' names in gospel. I think by featuring the big names it allows them to draw a larger audience. Maybe people tune in to see Kirk Franklin but catch an opening act by 21:03 and are opened to a new group. Everybody has to wait their turn, and I think as long as the big name groups are showing up and allowing the lesser known to perform and be seen they're doing them a favor. Fewer people would watch a show if everyone performing was virtually unheard of. It's a grooming process and the Kirk Franklin's, Mary Mary's, Winans', and Clarks' of the industry need to lay a foundation and lift up these up and comers and expose their already large fan base to these great artist.
I couldn't add another thing but a consideration as to what kind of music producers give to artists. In the 90's Fred Hammond released HISTORIC music -- worship, funk, etc. When he produced for other lesser-known artists in the work-for-hire vein, they got what one would call "B" sides. When he broke his own artist, the lovely Joann Rosario-Condrey, he pulled out the stops. I see gospel producers put out music they assume -- or perhaps HOPE -- will not be heard so why put the best stuff on this one. I've even encountered a producer who swore it wasn't HIM!!! Do we ALL not weigh, favor, purchase, produce AND watch accordingly?
@Byron: huh, lol???
oh. luda, i guess i did go WAY into my head. sorry. only the crazies will get it. erik j, please pull!!
@Byron SPEAK ENGLISH!!! lololol
LOL. Y'all betta leave Byron alone!
Yes there is definitely an upper echelon - but every part of the industry perpetuates it. Like whether labels admit it or not -there is an upper echelon based on artists sales, so maybe the labels are only promoting those A-level artists to the tv shows and national platforms because they think it will pay off in bigger dividends for them ??
I think when mainstream thinks of Gospel they look at who people will know and who they think will draw attention. I would love to see more new artist get some more exposure but it would require some of the more well known people sacrificing a spot or doing more duos with some of the newer artists so that they can get that exposure too. It comes down to money and pride. A lot of the artist that we consider in the upper echelon are probably feeling like they are just getting there do for all they years they labored not really making the major money. I'm not mad at them, but in order for the industry to continue to grow we have to show it. The secular artists are good for jumping on a hot track and collab with an artist to make the money. We have a tendency to want our own stage and recognition. Just my take on it.
that's because people that don't know gospel are dominating the everything related to marketing of the industry. Major labels don't care for quality but for packaging and distributing. They think what sells is what's demanded. But really sales in music has to do with supply. What you dish out is what people accept so no one will turn the channel if they see Gospel's Mega Five on tv because some people love them too. But it wouldn't just dawn on them one day that maybe there are other people out there that can be booked.
I think it all has to do with who's representing you. These artist like Kirk, Yolanda, and Cece are all pretty established. And I'm sure as far as their managers go, they had the best. I know a time when BeBe & CeCe were pretty much the only ones you would see at these award shows and basically any other mainstream function. Its all about whose more relevant with the mainstream world. You can turn on R&B radio and hear Donnie before you would here KiKi. And Donnie is more traditional!
Another thing I must add is a lot of these more excepted gospel artist are still riding on a hit that they've had in the past. Hence Yolanda, Donnie, MaryMary, Smokie (though they've come to garner more... Just not on the same strength as "Shackles"). Even Marvin Sapp in some ways has fallin into it. HE has this one hit and you see the secular world begin to FINALLY pick him up.