Curious– does the gospel music marketplace attempt to dictate who can sing gospel music? Moreover, do we think that God has asked us to determine for Him who is authentic and who is not?
Two things served as the impetus for my query– first, this morning, Gerard Bonner launched his new radio show, Bonnerfide Radio, during which he played an incredible track from Ledisi entitled “Knockin’.” In it, she tells the devil “I hear you knockin’, but you can’t come in.” In the chatroom, we discussed whether it’s “okay” for secular artists to sing gospel songs, etc. (I think we all agreed that she sang that song and we love it).
Second, on Monday, I announced the release date for the debut gospel album from legendary R&B/soul group The Whispers. Comments were made that suggested the group was just another secular act trying to take advantage of the gospel marketplace.
My concern: It seems unfair to me that a musician who has spent any amount of time singing or playing secular music would have to PROVE to us that they’re legitimate before they can enter “our” arena. First of all, we stand divided as to whether “secular” music is even bad. But even assuming that it is, why would we have SOOOO many barriers up and hurdles to jump before some prodigal singer or musician can “come home”?
We’ve seen it time after time. Whether it’s Coko, Kelly Price, Dave Hollister… we give them the side-eye and assume the worst FIRST– they’re probably not for real, they probably don’t really wanna honor God, they must have a hidden motive.
But do we look at our altars every Sunday morning and assume that most of the people who have come to it are just fakin’ it? Do we wonder whether they’re just trying to steal from the offering plate?
Why is the default response, in MUSIC, one of mistrust, rather than a warm embrace? When was the last time WE had to prove ourselves in the same way? And if we haven’t had to do so, what Biblical basis do we have for demanding such proof from them?
AND, if we’re gonna demand proof, what have we decided it will be? Do we need press releases about their salvation before the gospel album is released? Is there a waiting period of 3 years between the time that they “leave” secular music and start singing gospel? Where’s our list of criteria and from where are we deriving it?
It all seems unfortunate, but it’s the reality… I’m just wondering why.
Thoughts???
This is MAJOR, folks… Industry vet Gerard Bonner is launching his own internet radio show, Bonnerfide Radio, next 
Bonnerfide Radio will be a 2-hour radio show broadcasting exclusively from his site, 
