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?

Is it just me, or is Myron Butler a bit underrated in the gospel industry?

He has released three reeeally good projects since his earlier successful days with God’s Property.  He’s a great songwriter and producer.  He produced and arranged the daylights out of the vocals on Marvin Sapp’s latest project, Here I Am.  He brings innovative music to the table EVERY time.

But I don’t feel like he gets his due.  His latest album, Revealed… Live In Dallas, should be higher on the charts.  His latest single “Speak” should be gettin’ more spins at radio and could be heard more in churches.

I dunno… I just think that people lump him into a category with a bunch of other artists/groups with similar formats– but they’re not the same.  At all.

Is it just me?

Is it just me, or could gospel group 21:03 stand to take a bit of a risk?  Hear me out…

Their single, “Incredible,” is a song that I’ve come to REALLY enjoy (generally gets a few repeats outta me in one sitting).  But several months ago, they featured a traditional/quartet-styled song, “Still Here,” online.  I think that should have been the single.

If the name of the album is Evolved, and the title reflects its underlying theme, it seems that efforts would be made to demonstrate that three younger guys have grown into three young MEN.  The photoshoot did that (all suited up!).  The single, maybe not so much.

I hear “evolved” and I’m looking for growth and an evolution. Based on a lot of comments from you guys, the listeners, you hear “Incredible” and think it’s more of the same. That’s a problem.

Don’t get me wrong– I love the people at Verity and at PAJAM, far beyond my professional relationship with them. I think they are wise and experienced beyond what most even give them credit for.  But I think I would have liked to see a bit more risk this time around (yes, even in this already-risky music industry economy).  Now, I hear talk that maybe the 2nd single will be “Still Here,” which would be great.

I just think that the rewards could be BIG for them.  Older audiences, and more traditionally-leaning audiences, might embrace 21:03 if THIS is what was being offered this time around–

What do you think?

I knew this was gonna be the case…

Picture your favorite gospel artist… about WHAT AGE is he/she?

Between 41 and 50 – 41% (74 votes)

Between 31 and 40 – 24% (44 votes)

Between 21 and 30 – 15% (27 votes)

Over 50 – 12% (21 votes)

I don’t know/I don’t have a favorite – 7% (13 votes)

Under 21 – 1% (1 vote)

(Sidebar: I think that some of you THINK your favorite is under 50, but I am willing to bet that the folks you have in mind are older than you think.)

So, maybe it means nothing, but maybe it means everything.  Maybe it’s just reflective of the fact that most of the artists in gospel are actually older than artists in other genres, or that gospel audiences are older.

But what if it means that there are not enough opportunities for young artists in gospel?  What if it means that you actually have to wait until age 30-something to really “make it” in gospel music?  What if it means that, at some point, the industry will, in essence, die out, leaving a bunch of not-as-appreciated artists to usher the way?

I want to hear your thoughts– do these results surprise you?  Do you think they mean anything, or nothing at all?

And make sure you head over to the sidebar to cast your vote in the new survey, which asks:

What is your ideal venue size for a gospel concert?

Interesting.

How many gospel hip-hop albums do you buy in a year?

I don’t buy gospel hip-hop music – 58% (193 votes)

MAYBE one album – 19% (65 votes)

Between 3 and 5 – 11% (38 votes)

Between 6 and 10 – 6% (21 votes)

More than 10 – 6% (20 votes)

More than half of you folks said that you don’t buy gospel hip-hop. Period. So, now I’m wondering WHYYY…

Is it because you don’t like the style of music? Do you disagree with it completely, or do you just not dig it, personally? Is it that you don’t like the particular artists? Is it that you can’t understand the lyrics? Is it a bigger issue– like, you doubt the artists’ commitment to ministry?

Talk to me on this one, folks… definitely interested to know what’s up.

Anyone?

And make sure you head over to the sidebar to vote in the newest poll, which asks:

Picture your favorite gospel artist… about WHAT AGE is he/she?

After Trip Lee’s chart-topping debut last week, Marvin Sapp has regained the #1 chart position on the Gospel Albums chart at Billboard.  Trip Lee follows close behind, though, in the #2 spot.

Also, Phil Tarver, the music director and worship leader of Shekinah Glory Ministry, enters the chart at #4 with his new solo project, Place of Worship.  Congrats!

#1 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#2 | Trip Lee – Between Two Worlds
#3 | WOW Gospel 2010
#4 | Phil Tarver – Place of Worship
#5 | Hezekiah Walker & LFC – Souled Out
#6 | DeWayne Woods – My Life’s Lyric
#7 | Fred Hammond – Love Unstoppable
#8 | BeBe & CeCe Winans – Still
#9| Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#10 | Juanita Bynum – More Passion

Did anyone here grab Phil Tarver’s new project when it came out?

Whatd’ya think of the charts this week???

Umm… anybody been over to the official website of Verity Gospel Music Group lately?

If so, you probably noticed that it has a brand new look (which I’m lovin’), with new content, new features and new offers…

My favorite part of the site, though, is the section called “Inside Verity,” which provides an inside peek at the inner workings of one of the biggest and most successful gospel labels in the world.  It’s a blog-style feature with articles, news and info about the folks who work at Verity, as well as some of big industry topics.

Anyway, take some time and visit their new site (http://www.verityrecords.com)– lemme know what you think!

The new album from gospel hip-hop artist Trip Lee, Between Two Worlds, made a HUGE statement at retail this week, earning the #1 position at Billboard on both the Gospel AND Christian albums charts. In doing so, he unseated chart leaders Marvin Sapp and MercyMe, respectively.

Trip Lee’s new project also landed at #10 on the Rap albums chart.  All in all, a pretty strong showing for this project.  Congrats!

Also, My Life’s Lyric, the new album from DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet, has debuted at #3, while Darwin Hobbs’ latest effort, Champion, debuts at #6.

So, LOTS of movement in the top 10. It now looks a little something like this…

#1 | Trip Lee - Between Two Worlds
#2 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#3 | DeWayne Woods – My Life’s Lyric
#4 | WOW Gospel 2010
#5 | Forever Jones – Get Ready
#6 | Darwin Hobbs- Champion
#7 | Hezekiah Walker & LFC – Souled Out
#8 | BeBe & CeCe Winans – Still
#9| Fred Hammond – Love Unstoppable
#10 | Juanita Bynum – More Passion

If Trip Lee can maintain his sales momentum, he should be at #1 for at least another week or two.  DeWayne Woods and Darwin Hobbs should also have pretty solid footing in the top 10 for a while.

What do you think of the charts this week?  Who has Trip Lee’s new project?  Who’s gonna check it out now???

Talk to me, folks!

Interesting.

James Fortune & FIYA’s album, The Transformation, jumped 34 chart positions on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week, leaping from #41 to #7.  That, alone, is pretty noteworthy.  Even more incredible is that this is not the group’s most recent album; the newest project, Encore, rests at #16 on the chart.

Why in tarnation did so many buyers pass up the new album and go for the older one?!  Random.

*shrugs*

Anyway, the rest of the Top 10 looks a little somethin’ like this (you’ll notice that Fortune is tied with Brian Courtney Wilson at #7– they sold the same number of units):

#1 | Marvin Sapp - Here I Am
#2 | WOW Gospel 2010
#3 | Forever Jones – Get Ready
#4 | Hezekiah Walker & LFC – Souled Out
#5 | BeBe & CeCe Winans – Still
#6 | Fred Hammond – Love Unstoppable
#7 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#7 | James Fortune & FIYA- The Transformation
#9 | CeCe Winans – Songs of Emotional Healing
#10 | Juanita Bynum – More Passion

Shout-out to CeCe for having two albums in the Top 10, and to Forever Jones for maintaining that #3 position!

I’m predicting that the Top 5 will see quite a shake-up next week.  I’m guessing the sales figures of the current top albums won’t be strong enough to beat out the first week sales of Darwin Hobbs, DeWayne Woods , Trip Lee and Juanita Bynum.

What say you???