I can’t recall the last time I posted something in the Buggin’ Me series.  But this particular issue has really been buggin’ me over the past few weeks…

I get press releases all day, every single day.  By way of background, GospelPundit.com is not a media source that re-publishes press releases– I decide whether I wanna talk about the topic and, if I do, I re-write what matters and put my own slant on it… I don’t cut and paste.

The purpose of press releases is to alert the press/public of some newsworthy event or occurrence.  But lately, I’ve been getting several press releases that don’t just announce something– they announce something while making a dig at someone else.  Some are implicit, others are downright blatant.

A few weeks ago, Label A and Artist A launched a very public feud by way of press releases.  First, the label sent notice that Artist A violated his recording contract by recording for another label.  Then, Artist A’s team shot a press releases in response, essentially saying “no, I didn’t… you’re trippin’.”

What surprised me was that my inbox was being made privvy to a dispute that had been brewing for months and suddenly spilled over into the public arena.  And, because other media sites do simply republish press releases (especially the ”juicy” ones), the entire gospel community is now privvy to your drama.  But now that we all know that… so what?

Another situation– three weeks ago, Artist P’s latest single hit #1 at radio and a press release was issued by his label.  A week later, Artist Q’s single was #1 at radio and a press release was issued by his label.  That’s normal– we get those all the time.

Last night, I saw another release from Artist P’s label, saying that his single is back at #1.  It then went on to clarify that, in actuality, the only reason his single was even #2 last week (instead of staying at #1) was because of this factor and that factor.  The press release sought to discredit the press release issued about Artist Q, so that we’d all understand what’s “really” going on and that Artist P still runs the show at radio.  But again– now that we know that… so what?

I’m weirded out by it.  It makes me wonder what matters most to some of the artists or their teams.  It makes me wonder how authentic the artists are being, laughing with one another in-person, then swiping at each other with press releases.

In my opinion, there’s a way to give notice of your accomplishments without slinging mud.  There is a way to build yourself up without chipping away at someone else.

I think, as professionals, we can do that.  I think, as Christians, we’re called to.  But maybe I’m just being naive…

What do you think?

First, lemme say that Gospel Music Channel may be my favorite network on television, so what I’m about to say comes from a very heartfelt and loving place…

Ummm…. what’s going on with the programming, guys?

I get that the economy is rough, so the ability to create, develop and implement new shows is waning, but Sister Sister re-runs every weeknight?  Back-to-back episodes of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman?  Free Willy 2?!

According to GMC’s website, their mission is “to inspire, uplift and entertain through music.”  Their vision– “to be the world’s most watched music television brand for the entire family.  It says that it’s “the first 24-hour, all music entertainment network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel.”

But lately, there’s not been much music programming.  Again, I know that the economy is such that it’s costly and difficult to launch new stuff right now (BET’s 106 & Gospel taught us that), but I don’t think that the default should be to simply broadcast anything G-rated.

Still a supporter of the network, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t buggin’ me a little…

Not that you’d have known it from watching the telecast, but Mary Mary walked away with the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist (Traditional or Contemporary) at last night’s 40th annual awards show.  Also nominated were Hezekiah Walker, Marvin Sapp, Regina Belle, Take 6.

Really??? Okay.  I’m a bit surprised cuz I thought everyone was loving Marvin Sapp right now.  Well, kudos ladies and rock on!

On a side note, I’ma need the producers of the show to get it together.  All you needed was ONE uber-excited intern to be responsible for updating a Twitter feed, which could have been placed on your website, giving us real-time results and info on the winners.  I had to scour the web just to confirm who won the gospel category!  Aaarrrrggggh…

Shout-out to The Envelope at the LA Times for their full list– click here to see it.

So, all this press went out about this year’s Superbowl Gospel Celebration concert, which was held on Friday, January 30th in Tampa Bay, Florida, and featured Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary and Hezekiah Walker.

And folks (like ME) wanted to know if it would be broadcast anywhere later, or if it was just tons of national advertising for a local concert.  Come to find out (I love that expression), ESPN aired it on Sunday, the day of the big game! What in the world?!

My issue:  didn’t nobody tell me NOTHIN’!  I’m lookin’ at the promoter on this one.  All that advertising, contract negotiations and what not… and not ONCE did we know it would be broadcast on anybody’s TV.  C’mon.

Now, Veda Brown of BlackGospelPromo is launching a nationwide petition to get ESPN to re-air the thing.  Part of me wants to say “don’t sign it, let ‘em learn.”  But the rational, less vindictive part of me says that, as frustrated as I am, I wanna see the concert and I want ESPN to know that they were wise to air it cuz there’s a market for it.  And I want the promoter (Melanie Few of Results, Inc.) to know that she’s doing a good thing and that the gospel industry appreciates it.  Gotta support gospel stuff, folks!

So, everybody: CLICK HERE to read more about the call/write-in initiative.

But dag… this could’ve been avoided.  And that’s what’s buggin’ me.

Time Life Music is continuing its Songs 4 Worship album series (distributed by Integrity Music, but I have no real beef with them cuz distribution is distribution) with Songs 4 Worship Soul, a “new recording of modern gospel classics.”  That brand, alone, has sold over 20 million units worldwide!  This album features a BUNCH of R&B/Soul artists– including Freddie Jackson, Teddy Pendergrass, Jody Watley and Evelyn Champagne King– singing gospel songs like “Glory to Glory to Glory,” “Open My Heart,” and “Total Praise”…

Now, I dare not stop someone from singing a song of praise to God.  And you don’t have to have made a career of gospel music in order to do sing commercially released gospel music.  That’s not my issue.  But… it is a bit frustrating that mainstream media so often only wants to feature GOSPEL MUSIC if it’s sung by folks who are NOT gospel artists.  Like, the artists involved in a mainstream gospel production have to be musically diverse or neutral in order to be featured.

And it’s not just Time Life Music… it’s the Grammys having Aretha Franklin sing with Hezekiah Walker, The Clark Sisters, and Israel an’em in the gospel music segment.  And it’s BET’s adding Jon Legend or Anthony Hamilton to every taping of the Celebration of Gospel (not literally every, but you get my drift).

I get that it’s a business decision that probably makes tons of financial sense.  And maybe it’s just buggin’ ME… 

But what do you folks think?

Over the weekend, my wife and I watched a gospel program (which will remain nameless) on which a singing group (also remaining nameless…mostly cuz I don’t remember) gave the audience two options by way of the song’s bridge: “If the Lord’s been good to you, get up outta your seat… If he hasn’t done nothing for you, sit down in your seat.”

I don’t really like that.  I think it’s kinda unfair to manipulate audiences to stand up and support you.  Glorify God with your performance and let the audience praise Him as they desire.  I may sit in my seat and just rock, or I may get up and run laps around the TV studio.

But you can’t dictate to an audience of diverse and unique people what their appropriate responses to God’s goodness should be when they hear your song (you’re biased, see?).  You think that by giving them an ultimatum, they’ll get with you because folks generally don’t want to be embarassed.  But why make your audience uncomfortable just so you won’t feel that way?  And who knows?  You may have annoyed some poor seated soul who may have otherwise told people good things about you.

So yeah… that’s kinda buggin’ me.  How ’bout y’all?

I’m clear that, in this fast-paced age of information and technology, one needs to be easily accessable and available, lest he or she miss some very important news and/or opportunities.

But some kat on an episode of the Bobby Jones International Gospel Retreat took it to a whole… ‘notha… level by stepping on stage to sing background vocals with a bluetooth in his ear. I had hoped it was an in-ear monitor, but… no.  It was a bluetooth.

So, allow me to take this time to beseech you artists– do not perform with a bluetooth in your ear. And, as I saw a few weeks ago and decided I’d not mention (until now), don’t perform with your cell phone and holster on your hip.  What does it mean?  Why would you need it in the middle of a performance?  And if you don’t need it, I have to assume that you’re wearing it as an accessory, the purpose of which is COMPLETELY unclear to me… when did electronic gadgets become fashion accessories?!

No, you’re trying to be cool and hip and what not cuz you think gadgets are status symbols.  And what exactly IS your “status” on a ministry stage?  Quit that.

And that’s what’s buggin’ me.