The music industry has changed. I remember getting my undergrad degree in the music business over 10 years ago (ouch) and having discussions about this thing called “Napster” that was about to impact the music industry in a big way…
Fast forward to 2011, and nearly everything is virtual and digital in the music business. Even live performances are now streamed, reaching more people on the internet than can fit in one venue. We watch on the web, listen on the web, enjoy on the web, live on the web.
This morning, I wondered whether that’s what the gospel music community has become– some internet, virtual reality where we interact and live “gospel” online, and nowhere else.
It seems that blogs (admittedly, like this one), Twitter profiles, official websites, UStream accounts and Facebook fan pages have gone a bit haywire. Instead of supplementing the gospel music community, they have replaced the gospel music community. And that’s not just gospel music– that’s life.
To be honest, it wears me out more than a little bit.
But right when I was about to go on some editorial rant about how we need to return to the days of yea and nay, I thought “what if that’s actually all that people want these days?”
So, I’m curious– are you cool with a virtual gospel music community?
Is having an artist’s album and catching them on TV enough for you, or do you still want to see them perform live somewhere, in-person, in your town?
Do you crave the direct artist interaction you can get on Twitter, or do you not really care that you can chat with gospel artists online?
Do you want to be a part of every step of the process as it relates to an album’s creation– “first looks” at album covers, leaked songs, track listing, special guests– or do you prefer to be surprised when the album finally hits stores?
We’re seeing the scope continue to broaden and shift as it relates to what consumers and fans can have, but I’m curious to know what gospel fans like you actually want.
Speak to me!
I actually prefer the whole process. I guess I'm just inqusitive as to how the whole recording, writing, packaging, and distribution process is........my 20 cents
I live in an area of California that does not have the opportunity to interact with gospel artists. I have to drive to LA (3 hours south), Oakland (3 hours north), or Fresno/Bakersfield (2 hours east) and I MIGHT see ONE gospel artist every other year. Twitter, Facebook, Google + and the like allow me to keep up with the goings-on of the gospel music world.
Honestly I think the new virtual gospel community as you call it is great. For too long only certain big name artists got any shine, only their songs were played on the radio (still holds true as of today), only their concerts were promoted etc. Now less well known artists have the opportunity for more exposure through social media networks like facebook. I have heard several great songs on youtube from people who probably have no record deal. Some of the songs are better than what's played on the radio. If I hear or see something I like I may go see the person in concert depending on price and I'll definitely download their cd. With all the different ways of promoting music now available everyone can eat lol! There is plenty of room at the top!
I used to live in metro Detroit and pretty much on any given Sunday, you could go to (fill in the blank church) and see or hear some major gospel artist. I do enjoy live music and so I still went to concerts, esp. those gospel artists who didn't live in the area. I don't have a Twitter/FB/Tumbler/whatever account and quite honestly, I think some of this familiarity has tainted the gospel music industry or to say it another way, the sacredness of the genre has been diminished by the overshadowing of personality clouding the message of the music. Yes, gospel music artists are human/people, too and they should get paid for their labor but the constant sales pitches and appeals for concert dates are too much. Good music sells on its own; bad music needs a all the help it can get from a marketing machine/virtual gospel music community.
I enjoy both worlds. The virtual online Gospel Community keeps me informed and updated. But I also love to crack open and actual cd, read the thank yous and credits.
I also enjoy both worlds, but I look at it this way... the sincere purpose for all of it anyway is to impact lives and build the kingdom of God. Live concerts, social media, official websites and live streaming are now allowing major artists, indie and aspiring artists to reach the masses and have a wider net or audience. At the end of the day, if one soul can be saved from it all, it was all worth it.
Thats so true quite a number of less known artists have really blown up via their twitter interactions etc
I enjoy both, but it depends on the artist if this is there calling and ministry then it only take God green light and people will respond through both media types.
After all this time we (even we in the Gospel music community) need to embrace the "new" technology. It's not going anywhere and we can use it for the glory of the Lord to reach more people who may not hear the Gospel any other way. Do you know how many Muslims (as well as people of other faiths) accept Christ over the internet who may not ever see the inside of a church, or even a Gospel concert, but can hear both on their computers in the privacy of their own homes. So enjoy the live concerts, cds, and services, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater on the new technologies. They both have their place and their audiences and uses for both major, aspiring, and indie artists.