The Music Business
As I talk to songwriters and other people pursuing the music field, I find that many are discouraged and disillusioned by the fact that it is hard to “make it”. Many have focused primarily on the professional music industry, some finding success and others rejection and disappointment. Although there is nothing wrong with seeking after the “music industry” it must not be the most important aspect of our music life. I believe that many Christian songwriters, singers and musicians have lost their primary purpose.
We (singers, musicians and song writers) are in a way preachers and evangelists. God has given us a method through song to reach and touch the hearts of those who need ministry. This can be accomplished without total involvement with the “music industry”, by learning about the industry and how it functions. Then create on a smaller scale the same principles
Many Christian musicians and singers do not have the understanding that music is not only ministry, but also a business. To be a success in the music field, one must know not only their craft as a singer, musician or songwriter, but also know the business and how it works. (One person stated that he wanted someone to invest in them. My question is, what return can the investor get?)
There’s a saying in the music field that states: "You must pay your dues", meaning that, it will cost you something, nothing comes easy or free. One must earn their way by time and money invested. Many people, even Christians, want the whole pie for almost nothing, and then say God has blessed them. Although it's possible for this to happen, it is certainly not common. Whenever one has a friend or knows someone to do work for free, generally the quality is not very good. You get what you pay for. When people are paid, they tend to do a better job.
We must ask ourselves, "Is the music a hobby or a profession?" Understanding that one may have another job as a source of income, but music is done on a professional level. Example, a car salesman maybe the first chair French Horn player for the Dallas Symphony. The hobbyist views music in a much different way than the one who is a professional. The hobbyist tends to want others critique or approval and may not have the self-confidence in their work. Whereas the professional has developed over time the degree of confidence that the work is good, critique or approval is not as important. Many people stay in the hobbyist state of mind, because their work is in a raw form and has never been professionally produced.
If your songs are just written in a notebook or recorded unprofessionally on a cassette, then what good is it doing in building the Kingdom of God? The scriptures said to “go and occupy until I come”, which mean that we must do something with the talents and the gifts given to us by our heavenly Father until Christ comes. We must find the creative ways to get the message out to the ones that need to hear the message. We must be persistent, innovative and knowledgeable about the music industry. To have satisfaction and success in this field, one must trust God and pray for His direction and guidance, believe and have confidence in yourself when no one else does and Pay Your Dues. So be encouraged and remember what God has placed in your heart.
Copyright 1996 Ray L. Baker / Producer
We (singers, musicians and song writers) are in a way preachers and evangelists. God has given us a method through song to reach and touch the hearts of those who need ministry. This can be accomplished without total involvement with the “music industry”, by learning about the industry and how it functions. Then create on a smaller scale the same principles
Many Christian musicians and singers do not have the understanding that music is not only ministry, but also a business. To be a success in the music field, one must know not only their craft as a singer, musician or songwriter, but also know the business and how it works. (One person stated that he wanted someone to invest in them. My question is, what return can the investor get?)
There’s a saying in the music field that states: "You must pay your dues", meaning that, it will cost you something, nothing comes easy or free. One must earn their way by time and money invested. Many people, even Christians, want the whole pie for almost nothing, and then say God has blessed them. Although it's possible for this to happen, it is certainly not common. Whenever one has a friend or knows someone to do work for free, generally the quality is not very good. You get what you pay for. When people are paid, they tend to do a better job.
We must ask ourselves, "Is the music a hobby or a profession?" Understanding that one may have another job as a source of income, but music is done on a professional level. Example, a car salesman maybe the first chair French Horn player for the Dallas Symphony. The hobbyist views music in a much different way than the one who is a professional. The hobbyist tends to want others critique or approval and may not have the self-confidence in their work. Whereas the professional has developed over time the degree of confidence that the work is good, critique or approval is not as important. Many people stay in the hobbyist state of mind, because their work is in a raw form and has never been professionally produced.
If your songs are just written in a notebook or recorded unprofessionally on a cassette, then what good is it doing in building the Kingdom of God? The scriptures said to “go and occupy until I come”, which mean that we must do something with the talents and the gifts given to us by our heavenly Father until Christ comes. We must find the creative ways to get the message out to the ones that need to hear the message. We must be persistent, innovative and knowledgeable about the music industry. To have satisfaction and success in this field, one must trust God and pray for His direction and guidance, believe and have confidence in yourself when no one else does and Pay Your Dues. So be encouraged and remember what God has placed in your heart.
Copyright 1996 Ray L. Baker / Producer