I’m a little surprised by how this poll turned out and I’m eager to hear your explanations!

Do you feel that a church’s worship team should get PAID for singing each week?

Absolutely NOT!  It’s their service to the Lord - 53.6% (150 votes)

It depends on a couple of factors - 30.6% (86 votes)

Absolutely!  It’s only fair - 10.1% (28 votes)

I don’t really care either way - 5.8% (16 votes)

I was really expecting the majority to say that it depends on a couple of factors.  I was NOT expecting an unequivocal, hands-down “absolutely not” from you guys.  What’s that all about?!

In my mind, it should depend on several things– the size of the church, whether the musicians are getting paid, whether the pastor’s taking a salary, how instrumental the music ministry is to the success and growth of the church, the type of time commitment that is required of the worship team, etc.

Every model won’t work for every church and I definitely don’t think that folks should be getting paid just because they sing on Sunday.  But I also don’t think I’d ever be willing to say, in all cases, that worship singers shouldn’t be getting paid just because they should view singing as their service to the Lord.

I dunno… what do you guys think???

After you comment, make sure you head over to the sidebar to vote in the next poll, which asks “what do you think about the NUMBER of gospel music conferences and workshops?”

I kinda knew you all would vote this way…

Which January 26th release are you most excited about???

James Fortune & FIYA - 63% (110 votes)

WOW Gospel 2010 - 23% (40 votes)

Anthony Evans - 8% (14 votes)

The Mighty Clouds Of Joy - 6% (10 votes)

I think I probably agree.  James Fortune & FIYA are probably gonna bring some significant heat with their newest project, Encore.

BUT, I wanna caution you all to not simply dismiss the other projects– EACH ONE is gonna be good.  WOW Gospel features the greatest gospel songs of the past year– you want those.  Anthony Evans is incredibly underrated in the gospel industry, but he’s very popular in CCM… we need to embrace him on “this side,” cuz he’s a gifted worshipper with a phenomenal voice.  And The Mighty Clouds… if you haven’t listened to their single on the PunditPlayer, please do so now.  CLASSIC and great.

Don’t forget, each of these albums are in stores as of TODAY. You can preview tracks and buy ‘em by clicking any album below:

Which ones are you buying???

And don’t forget to vote in the next survey on the sidebar, which asks:

Of the nominees, who do YOU want to win the GRAMMY for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album?

Heheheee… I stand in agreement with you good people.

Who do you think should win ARTIST OF THE YEAR at the 2010 Stellar Awards?

Donald Lawrence - 51% (129 votes)

Kierra Sheard - 22% (55 votes)

Hezekiah Walker - 19% (49 votes)

Vickie Winans - 8% (20 votes)

It’s not that the other albums are bad AT ALL.  In fact, I enjoy each of ‘em.  But there’s just something about that Law Of Confession, Vol. 1 project from Donald Lawrence… simply incredible.

Make sure you follow me on Twitter to receive up-to-the-second Stellar Award results on Saturday– see if your favorite artist won!

Until then, go ahead and vote in the next poll on the sidebar, which asks:

Which January 26th release are you most excited about???

I think you guys are pretty accurate in your assessment here…

How much do you believe the average gospel artist makes each year?

Between $50,000 and $99,999 - 38% (141 votes)

Between $100,000 and $499,999 - 29% (109 votes) 

Less than $50,000 - 27% (99 votes) 

Between $500,000 and $999,999 - 3% (11 votes)

$1 million or more - 3% (11 votes)

I agree with the majority.

The reality, I believe, is that the average gospel artist (unless they have other streams of income, like songwriting and producing) is walking away with between $50,000 and $99,999 each year.  MAYBE a little over $100,000 if they’re gigging a lot.

A few people told me that the answer depends on who an “average” gospel artist is.  For the record, I don’t think that Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin or Marvin Sapp are “average” artists, so if you considered their salaries in your answer… don’t. LOL

Whatd’ya think of the results?

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

Who do you think should win ARTIST OF THE YEAR at the 2010 Stellar Awards???

The results of this survey are a bit disheartening, but it’s what I expected… just hard to see it in numbers.

In the past 3 months, how many full albums– physical or digital– did you purchase?

 Between 1 and 3 - 40% (85 votes)

Between 4 and 6 - 24% (50 votes)

Zero - 15% (31 votes)

Between 7 and 10 - 12% (26 votes)

More than 10 - 9% (19 votes)

We’ve seen a lot of good music lately, so I’m not sure if folks just aren’t buying it, or if they’re getting it… by other means.  I remember a time in which I’d purchase between 1 and 3 albums in a WEEK!

Is it because of a bad economy?  Is it because of bad music?  Is it because of a dying industry?  Lemme know what you think!

And after that, make sure you go to the sidebar to vote in the newest poll, which asks “How much do you believe the average gospel artist makes each year?”  Should be interesting!

I kinda expected this, but I didn’t know that the percentage would be so high…

How do you FIRST hear of most of the new gospel music you purchase?

Gospel music websites - 69% (84 votes)

Friends and/or family - 13% (16 votes)

Online music retailers (i.e., iTunes & Amazon) - 11% (13 votes)

Songs sung at church - 7% (8 votes)

At the physical stores - 1% (1 vote)

I definitely learn about most of the new gospel music from gospel music websites.

Thanks for voting and make sure you head to the sidebar to vote in the next poll:

In the past 3 months, how many full albums– physical or digital– did you purchase?

I think I’m a tad bit surprised by this one, but I’m not mad.

Which Mary Mary album is your favorite???

The Sound - 31% (70 votes)

Incredible - 25% (55 votes)

Thankful - 24% (53 votes)

Mary Mary - 20% (44 votes)

A Mary Mary Christmas - 0% (1 vote)

My favorite album is hands-down their debut project, Thankful.  After that, I love Incredible.  After that, the Mary Mary album… but I’m also hopelessly nostalgic about my music!

Who did you vote for???

And don’t forget to head over to the sidebar now to vote in the next poll, which asks:

How do you FIRST hear of most of the new gospel music you purchase?

For real?  It was close, but I didn’t really think it was gonna be…

Which TV network shows your favorite gospel programming?

BET - 50 votes (30%)

Gospel Music Channel - 48 votes (29%)

The Word Network - 45 votes (27%)

TBN - 17 votes (10%)

Other - 6 votes (4%)

I’m assuming that the votes for BET were cast on the strength of Bobby Jones Gospel and Sunday Best because you all have been rather vocal about your disinterest in some of their other shows.

I voted for Gospel Music Channel because I like the abundance of original programming that they feature (or used to, at least).  What are your thoughts???

For those of you who voted “Other,” which networks do you have in mind???

Thanks, as always, for voting.  Make sure you head over to the sidebar to vote in the newest poll, which asks…

Which MARY MARY album is your favorite???

Based on the results of this poll, I’m feelin’ a little optimistic about the gospel touring industry.  Good job, guys!

What’s the MOST you would pay for a star-studded gospel music concert?

$50 per ticket - 50% (67 votes)

$25 per ticket - 24% (32 votes)

$75 per ticket - 19% (25 votes)

Nah… I’ll just catch it on YouTube. - 4% (5 votes)

$10 per ticket - 3% (4 votes)

I think $50 is a fair price.  75 bucks is kinda steep, so it would have to be a REAAAALLY amazing concert for me to cough that up.  Though, I guess tix to see Beyonce were almost double that…

Anyway, it’s encouraging to see that folks are still willing to pay $50 per ticket to see some of their favorite artists in concert.  Now, if we can just get the concerts to take place…

Thanks for voting!  Head over to the sidebar now to vote in the newest survey, which asks:

Which TV network shows your favorite gospel programming?

I think I’m pleased with these survey results and the implications of them in the broad view of the gospel industry.  I asked:

Digital or physical– how do you buy your gospel music these days?

Depends on whether I want a whole album or only a few tracks - 36% (41 votes)

Physical CDs only - 34% (39 votes)

However I can get it the fastest - 15% (17 votes)

Digital music only - 10% (12 votes)

Umm… I don’t really PAY for my music - 5% (6 votes)

I voted for “depends” too.  It’s also interesting to note that the gospel industry is still an industry driven by the sales of physical CDs.  I think it makes sense for lots of reasons, but I didn’t expect the numbers to be so high in comparison to those who voted “digital music only.”

And, for the 5% of you don’t pay for your music, I hope it’s cuz you’re getting advanced copies.  And even then, I’d still encourage you to buy the albums and give ‘em as gifts to someone else.  You’ll be sowing into the ministries of artists you like AND sowing into the life of a friend.

OKAY.  Thanks to all who voted.  Make sure you head over to the sidebar now to vote in the next survey, which asks:

What’s the MOST you would pay for a star-studded gospel music concert?