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?

Well, I guess this IS a recession and all…

Which of the following albums are you MOST excited to buy in July???

 Uhhh…I think I’ma hold on to my money for now! – 22% (40 votes)

Coko – 20% (36 votes)

Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – 19% (35 votes)

Mali Music – 17% (30 votes)

Melinda Watts – 15% (27 votes) 

Earnest Pugh – 7% (13 votes) 

Some pretty close votes, actually, and I saw that the results fluctuated week by week… sometimes, Melinda Watts’ new project was the most highly desired, sometimes Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s album… so, I say BUY WHAT YOU WILL, just BUY!  Oh, and add Claude Deuce’s debut project to the list– it’s hot.

Leave a comment and lemme know what YOU’RE getting!

And don’t forget to vote in the next poll NOW:

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

Head over to the sidebar to see your options! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I like these results…

Is it okay for gospel artists to collaborate with secular artists in music?

 Depends on what the song is about… – 42% (58 votes)

Sure!  They can be great witnesses. – 28% (38 votes)

Depends on who the secular artist is… - 16% (22 votes)

Absolutely not! – 14% (20 votes)

At the end of the day, I think gospel artists CAN do some collabos with secular artists in a way that glorifies God.  How did YOU vote?  Do you agree or disagree with the results???

Talk to me!

And don’t forget to vote in the next poll NOW:

Which of the following albums are you MOST excited to buy in July???

Head over to the sidebar to see your options! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Interesting results… It may be because I used the phrase “hottest production” that you picked the producer with a tremendous amount of… (I promised myself I wouldn’t use this word on the site)… “swag.” But I kinda figured he’d win this poll– his music is bananas.

Excluding producers who are also artists, some of the hottest production in gospel music comes from…

Warryn Campbell – 38 votes (41%)

Aaron Lindsey – 24 votes (26%)

PAJAM – 15 votes (16%)

Asaph Ward – 12 votes (13%)

Kevin Bond – 3 votes (3%)

Cedric & Victor Caldwell – 1 votes (1%)

I don’t think I’m necessarily surprised, though I voted for Aaron Lindsey cuz I tend to think he’s incredibly versatile in his approach.  I think we may be sleeping on the Caldwell brothers, too… they prolly deserved a few more votes.  And are y’all just over Kevin Bond for right now?  He’s quite a mastermind, too.

What did you think?  Anyone that should’ve been added that wasn’t on the list?  Lemme know!

And, head over to the sidebar NOW to vote in the next survey, which asks:

Is it okay for gospel artists to collaborate with secular artists in music?

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