ChitChat: The Road To Mainstream TV

by EJ on Jun.05, 2009 at 1:58 pm, under Industry

On the heels of some incredible mainstream television appearances by The Clark Sisters, I started thinkin’ about something…

The Clark Sisters have DOZENS of albums, but have had very few mainstream TV opportunities. Now, with this Oh Happy Day compilation, they get two MAJOR slots in a month’s time. I can also recall when Kirk Franklin & Yolanda Adams did The Tonight Show with Leno a few years back, promoting their duet from the soundtrack for The Passion Of The Christ.

So, my question: for gospel artists, are compilation albums the key to getting mainstream television spots?

And not just any compilation album– I’m talkin’ about a compilation album with significant mainstream appeal. The Oh Happy Day features songs by/with mainstream artists (i.e., Queen Latifah, Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone) and The Passion Of The Christ was a significant film, with tons of mainstream coverage, so similar coverage of the soundtrack made sense.

Maybe mainstream television folks figure that gospel artists are only worthwhile if the music is connected to something LESS “Christian” or “gospel-y”… or maybe the compilations suggest a certain degree of audience-friendly music for mainstream TV… dunno.

Any thoughts???

Oh, and for your viewing pleasure, that Kirk & Yolanda performance from a few years back:

:chitchat, clark sisters, kirk franklin, yolanda adams

8 comments for this entry:

Luis Wells
June 5th, 2009 on 3:48 pm
my daughter would have liked it
CHLOE
June 6th, 2009 on 12:00 am
A good publicist is the KEY to mainstream tv
Darius
June 6th, 2009 on 2:26 pm
i agree with chloe if One last time was promoted more in the mianstream world i think they would’ve been to mainstream tv
kasablanka110
June 6th, 2009 on 2:57 pm
Hey EJ, great topic.

In my opinion, the mainstream or general audience is definitely drawn to “less Gospel-y” or “less churchy” songs as you put it lol . Let`s face it, the general television audience isn`t Christian. However it’s in our human nature to be drawn to more inspirational / motivational / encouraging songs to speak to or situation & help us through. Some songs which come to mind are Kirk Franklin`s All-Star collabo “Lean On Me”, John P. Kee’s “Yes We Can”, and most recently Marvin Sapp with “Never Would’ve Made it” (James Fortune`s “I Trust You” is kinda on the fence for me lol). All in all ii just feel the general audience is more responsive to Gospel artists who aren`t necessarily quoting scriptures, preaching to them, or telling them about themselves (i.e. what they need to change in their lives). But that in no way means they’re message should delineate from the Word. ALL THIS TO SAY lol that when possible, ii think it`d be a good idea for Gospel artists to put forth more “generic” music [not just compilation albums] without having to compromise the Gospel of Christ [maybe just one per CD lol]. Stay blessed!
kasablanka110
June 6th, 2009 on 3:01 pm
sorry ; which speak to our situation *
TruSoulDj
June 8th, 2009 on 2:13 pm
Sometimes a compilation is the key. Donnie McClurkin appeared on Arsenio — to my knowledge — as a substitute for the Winans when Quincy Jones promoted his Listen Up project years ago. But then Yolanda Adams appeared on Jay Leno twice, partly because of a reccomendation from former bandleader, Branford Marselis. And she also did an acting guest spot on LL Cool J’s “In The House” years before “Open My Heart” crossed her over into the Mainstream

Finally, think about how Columbia Records pushed Mary Mary’s debut project full force to the clubs and Urban radio,etc. So it really does come down to who you have in your booster club; how much does your team of supporters want you to succeed.
Sydney
June 8th, 2009 on 8:03 pm
Head’s up…I just found out the Clark Sisters are featured on an episode of the TV One series, “Unsung”. It’s a really cool show, kind of like VH-1’s “Behind The Music” from back in the day, but focusing on African-American artists who never really got their due.
Keish
June 8th, 2009 on 11:19 pm
Yeah, that was aired last year Sydney. They were profiled on the first season. The first one was so critically acclaimed that they have just started the 2nd installation of documentaries. That was really good exposure also, I know alot of ppl who watched the entire season and had their first introduction to the Clark Sisters.