An editorial from Associate Editor Troy Lilly…
It may be hard to believe but it’s been 30 years since Bobby Jones Gospel debuted, making its host, Dr. Bobby Jones, more popular on Sunday mornings than most preachers in the pulpit.
When Bobby Jones Gospel first aired on BET in 1980, the network’s first year, I wasn’t even alive. My parents weren’t married until the following year, and Martin Luther King’s birthday wasn’t a national holiday. Albums were still called LPs then, and everybody’s home entertainment center consisted of a deluxe turntable. Remember those days? Okay, neither do I, but I’ve done some research.
Anyway, what I’m saying is that it’s been really long time since the cameras started rolling on the set over there, and things have changed. A lot.
We’ve come a long way. We have Sunday Best now, which is the gospel equivalent of American Idol. Singers (and pretenders) belt their hearts out in front of the judges for weeks, and at the end the home viewing audience votes to decide who wins a recording contract. And then there’s the yearly Celebration of Gospel where gospel and secular artists make music on the same stage while host Steve Harvey tries to tell clean jokes. How’s that for progress? I know some of you are disenchanted with Sunday Best but this isn’t a comparison, so hear me out.
Long before the competitions and musical soirees went mainstream and hit primetime, Bobby Jones Gospel put a face with the music and gave the industry its first national platform. Dr. Jones expanded that platform across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans , earning the title “Ambassador of Gospel.” I hold him in the highest of regard for everything he’s done for gospel music, and I’m sure you do as well. I just have a couple of questions, and I want to know what you think.
Although the music and mediums have changed over the years, those changes haven’t affected the show very much. You can still find it airing on the same network, on the same day, in the same timeslot, same format, and still hosted by Dr. Jones. In fact, Bobby Jones Gospel is the longest-running show on BET and one of the longest in cable television history. However, do you find it strange that the show has stuck to the same formula for three decades?
I mean, Bob Barker did the same thing with The Price is Right, so maybe it’s not a bad thing. But I’m leaning against it.
Consider this: traditional radio and television viewership is declining; digital music sales via iTunes and online music retailers will eclipse physical sales this year; internet marketing through social media is rapidly becoming the most effective way to market and sell music, aside from the music itself. Let us also remember the rise of blog sites in the last five years, sites like GospelPundit.com (which we love, right?).
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m well aware that many artists who were introduced on Bobby Jones Gospel went on to achieve unprecedented success. Gospel heavyweights like Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin, who are two of the best-selling gospel acts of the last 20 years, both got their start there.
I’m just asking you, when was the last time you saw a new artist on the show Sunday morning and headed to Best Buy or jumped on iTunes to cop their album? I’m curious to know.
If anything, I feel like the show has become sort of a rite of passage. It’s the place every major gospel artist must go to pay their respects at some time or another, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I think it’s very appropriate for us to take this time to appreciate (and congratulate) Dr. Bobby Jones for all he’s has done for gospel music. By introducing the look and sound of gospel to households across the nation, Bobby Jones Gospel has allowed countless artists to share their ministry with the world. And I love a good ole’ gospel jamboree.
As we celebrate 30 years, however, I’m just wondering– will you still be skipping Sunday School to watch?
Nice editorial, Troy. Congrats to Bobby Jones Gospel for 30 years! One major component of longevity is consistency. And Bobby Jones's show has been just that. He's been consistent with his show, who he invites to the show (who's worthy of invitation), and his perspectives about gospel music, and he hasn't been seduced into the fade away fads. And, as you said, no one else was doing this back in the early '80s (my coming of age decade). And the ONLY place where such a gospel show could be done was on BET (before it sold its soul to....well, just find that Boondocks episode and you'll see!). Has it really been 1980? Because I don't recall cable TV being accessible and I believe we didn't have cable TV until the mid '80s but I do remember watching MJ's "Thriller" when it premiered on MTV so maybe it has been that long. Wowwwww! LOL! Oh yeah: we couldn't skip church AT ALL so I've never seen Bobby Jones in his primetime Sunday morning slot.
There's an old adage that says "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" That's why he's been on television for 30 years. As far as skipping Sunday school, with today's technology--no one has to do that. Just set your DVRs. Tee-hee.
First of all, when BJG was first on the scene, the production values were like grade school. Given the technology now, it has improved from the kindergarten like-producing of graphics. But as everyone knows, Dr. Jones is getting on in years-he can go on-look at Betty White. But god forbid if he retires, who will take his place? And yes, happy 30 years and a whole lot more..
I kinda don't get the correlation between the way music is advertised and purchased and the fact that artists major and otherwise go on the show to perform...are u suggesting that the show be reduced to an online show? I'm not sure. Honestly, I haven't consistently watched the show in the last five years, but I always check to see who's on so that if I like them, I can catch their performance. The show still serves as a great promotional tool and platform for artists. There are very few programs in the year where we get to see gospel artist perform live and many ppl don't get to see these artist perform on the road either. I think the show provides that opportunity.
Man I must say this with out some change things will become out dated. Gospel as art form has changed a lot and to be honest there is not much that I think anyone could to to the show to make it viable for the next 30 years, Besides for rip is apart and start from starch. I don't miss Sunday school as we have to services, don't miss those ether but I can say I do not however bother to dvr it any more for the last year our so. I do how ever dvr lift every voice because they try to keep the formate some what fresh and new. Right of passage our not, it is only a matter of time that the BJGS is put into retirement in it's current form. If they really want to continue to be the face of gospel music on cable tv a home make over is due. Tear it down and rebuild it. Every body has to go back to the potters house once and a while.
I still watch it occasionally but as the article points out, not many of the 'new' artist inpsire you to run out and pick up their work. It's a Sunday morning staple in many households and I would miss it if it were no longer on the air.
First let me congraulate him for 30 years on the same network with the same show. That is a real milestone. But I've stopped watching Bobby Jones a while back, the show has become so cliche. The same people signing the same songs from 4 and 5 years ago. Example: Vickie Winans was up there a while back before her last album came out signing that rainbow song. I love Vickie and I love that song but I was tired of hearing it. And the same thing with Karen Clark Sheard (whom I love) but I was tired of hearing the same songs everytime she came on as well. Bobby Jones ask the same questions all the time and tells those same old stories all the time. When they do have new artist on the show most of them in my opinion aren't worth listing to or watching. And the Nashville Super Choir, I love to hear them sing, but I can't stand to see them perform. It's like one big show no real praise and worship and no real glory going to God. His show is becoming just like his "retreat" all more about man and less about God. And really who is gonna miss church or Sunday school just to watch Bobby Jones? Even with a DVR if there is someone on I want to watch I record it and fast forward to the part I want to see then delete it.
I congratulate Bobby Jones for being there for 30 years which is quite an achievement. If he was not on the air, there would be no showcase for people of color. Do I like all the shows? No! No matter what age category you fall in, we need to learn to support and honor the institutions that brought us over because nobody else is going to do it!!!
Wow Christina! You hit the nail on the head.
Yay Christina! That just about sums up what I was thinking!