That’s the title of an article recently posted at http://sogospelnews.com by Nick Bruno, which is directed, as his articles usually are, to those who desire to serve the Lord or gain fame or riches, or just earn a living through singing Gospel music.
I’ve not commented on this subject for quite some time now, but it was brought to mind anew by the message from Nick … whose credentials include being pianist for the Kingsmen and a number of other prominent groups from the ’70s and ’80s, and more recently being a producer for Southern Gospel groups that include the likes of the Booth Brothers.
I tell you this for a couple of reasons that I think will be clear before you finish reading this page. Picking up midway through his article, Nick states:
The question for you, the Southern Gospel artist is simple – Can you look back over the last year and see tangible evidence of growth? Are your bookings better? Have your offerings improved? Do you see larger crowds? Is your latest recording better than the one before? Are your arrangements more interesting? Has your singing improved? How about your product sales? Is your profit margin increasing?
If the answer to all these questions is not a resounding YES, then you are mired in mediocrity.
Good – Better – Best…never ever rest…until your “good” gets better and your “better” gets “best!”
I love that little sentence. It makes sense to me. I don’t understand why anyone would not want to be the very best they can be.
In an article published by Fox Sports about Michael Phelps and his winning of multiple gold medals in the 2012 Olympics, a writer stated: “There is no secret — or rather, it is one we all know and is available to all in whatever your endeavor may be. He dared to dream bigger. And he relentlessly chased his dream with hard work and dedication.”
Doing, delivering our very best for the Lord in whatever we do is a given that is known to every Christian if he or she attends church today or grew up going to Sunday School. The Booth Brothers guys and Michael Phelps did not reach the top of their “game” without putting forth the effort. Your goal in making of a recording should be the equivalent of Michael Phelps’ going for the gold!
A lot of this may sound very basic but, based on the number of CD’s we receive here at enLighten which not only should not have been sent to us, the money should not have been spent to record them … as, sadly, the singer or group had not truly prepared to the extent discussed above. I don’t say this to be mean, I say it in a spirit of love.
When we review a new CD, our only obligation is doing what’s right in the eyes of the Lord. Therefore, consideration of all selections is based only on these three factors: 1) musical quality, 2) the impact of the message of the song, and 3) how well that message is communicated in the performance.
Even if you believe you are already a great singer – which may be true – or a group with superb voices and blend, I can safely say there’s room for improvement … especially if you’re thinking of recording. If not, why would the Booth Brothers call on the services of Nick Bruno? Or other top groups depend on Wayne Haun or Lari Goss?
This has not been easy for me to write, but when you understand that more than half of all the CD’s we receive do not contain even one song that we find to be appropriate for play on enLighten …with many others barely delivering a single selection that’s worthy of being included on the playlist, you’ll recognize why this had to be written.
The next time Legacy Five has an opening … will you be ready and qualified to fill that position? That’s the level of performance we’re expecting to hear when you send us your next recording. Not only are we here at enLighten depending on it … the Lord is depending on it … and the Southern Gospel music industry is depending on it!
I’d love to have your thoughts, comments on this subject. You can send me a message (or click the Send a Message link at the top of this page).
Marlin
