06.24.07 On The Bench
I play a game with you. It’s a “public relations” game I suppose I learned from being on a label...though I hate to place blame on anyone. It’s entirely, honestly, my own fault, my own insecurity I guess that keeps me playing it.
The goal of the game is to create or, more accurate I think, to maintain a certain public perception. The perception that has been created through various means is that my career is at a certain level of “success.” I maintain this perception by cropping photos so that empty seats are never visible. I don’t blog about show attendance, only the number of kids sponsored through Compassion International at every concert. We let promoters know we need them to get 300 adults to their show. Mostly though, I just avoid questions.
“I can’t believe the crowd is so small tonight,” someone commented at the show last night. “You must be used to a much bigger crowd eh?”
“I’m just glad to be anywhere playing for anybody,” I say. And I mean it. I really do. But that’s not why I say it. I say it to maintain the perception that playing to a crowd of 100 people is a rarity and not the norm.
It is the norm. And there’s no shame in that.
There was a day, not long ago actually, when playing for 300-500 was usual. And there was a day not long before that when 500-800 was routine. And a day before that, very long ago, when I played to crowds of over a thousand regularly. But those days are gone. And I’m past being bothered by that and truly just glad to be playing anywhere for anybody. So why keep playing the game?
Last night, after playing for 106 kind folks in the middle of cornfields just outside of Grand Rapids, some guys from a local radio station gathered around me and shot the breeze. It didn’t take long for the question to come up again. “Man, I expected the crowd to be bigger tonight. What’s the deal?”
“Well, honestly, this is normal these days.”
“Really?? Why?” (Insert compliments here.)
“Um...uh...this is what happens when radio stations stop playing your music. I’m not upset about that. I mean, I wish I got played more. More people would come to my shows and we’d save more kids, but..you know, they can’t play everybody and I wouldn’t want the job of figuring out who gets played and has packed out shows and who doesn’t and plays for 100 people. It’s a tough job. I’m glad to be playing anywhere for anybody. But, yea, this is normal for us right now. Part of this is working with new promoters more and more, people who don’t promote many shows but mostly it’s because I haven’t written anything new in a while and what I have recorded hasn’t been played on the radio.”
The truth feels good. And bad. But mostly good.
My name is Shaun Groves and I play music for a few people every night. I’d love to play for more. I’m not sure ow to make that happen. But I’m glad to be playing anywhere for anybody right now. And if I keep saying I hope it doesn’t scare away prospective promoters or fans. That’s the risk I suppose of not playing the game. Tomorrow I might photoshop myself in front of a Chris Tomlin sized crowd but today I’m riding the bench and OK with it. Hope you are.
We board a plane shortly, headed to Alabama to play for 100 people and save 10-20 lives. Life’s good.
RevJeff said:
Play for the ONE that matters, He takes care of the rest....
Blessing Shaun
Shawn B said:
Hey it beats sitting in front of 30 something patients a day, performing a test which will show what severe problem is wrong with their eye, and having to pretend I honestly care. I don’t, might be sad to hear someone in the medical field doesn’t really care, but that too is the truth. Count your blessings you are doing something everyday that was a “dream” of your at some point in life. Atleast you do a good job of making the people who show up feel llike you are excited they are there, no matter the size of the crowd.
said:
I ditto what RevJeff said. It isn’t even the playing that matters, although I can rarely think of any music I’d rather hear. It’s the mission accomplished through your 100 person concerts that counts. Lives changed in ways we Americans can hardly fathom. Play because of that. And because if you stop, I’ll definitely cry!
Beth
Shane S. said:
As they say, quality over quantity. Right?
Michael S said:
You are a blessing for 1, 100 or 1000. Sometimes the world can’t appreciate or understand the artist (but as Christians we are not of this world). Even the disciples new that sometimes “shaking the sand from their sandals” and moving on to a new place is a smart decision.
As I told people in my office I was going to see you in concert - I said “he is like a tuning fork” he vibrates with the sound of the Holy Spirit. Like a tuning fork, sometimes you can’t see it moving—but, the sound goes on and so do you.
The industry functions like “ants at a picnic—looking for a big blanket of goodies” and they miss the feast.
You are the voice for children all over the world that can’t ask for help. I sit amazed at the depth of the lyrics you pull from your soul—painting such awesome images of the broken world we live in.
It was a joy to see you at GMA and Greensburg, IN—Jenny, Sarah & I appreciate you and your sacrifices for your craft.
Brant Hansen said:
I think it’s a dang cool job, and I love your honesty, and that you’re not complaining in the least, too.
And to think you get paid to do something THAT amazingly important—and I hope there’s still an element of “play” in the playing of music.
Most people have jobs that entertain no one at all, really, let alone 100 people a night. I know I wouldn’t (and you don’t) like being away from family at all, but I hope this is a very sweet time in your career. May it be sweeter than ever.
And travel with Brody? Bonus.
said:
regarding your show in the middle of the cornfields, I hope you never stop giving your heart so honestly as you did in Allegan, Michigan. I know for sure of one little boy named Jairo from ElSalvador that surely will be blessed that you played your heart and that someone from the cornfields was convicted by what you said and so committed to sponsoring this wonderful little one. WE LOVED YOUR SHOW.
Thank you for giving of your time and talents, which really isn’t that what we as Christians are supposed to be doing everyday?
God Bless you Shaun Groves, and as you said, next time you come this way, please be hungry.
anne jackson said:
wow - i totally posted a similar thought on my blog (although mine is a relatively new realization that i am learning to deal with.)
i appreciate your honesty with the “appearance” of things that we “must have” ...when all in all, it doesn’t really freaking matter…
shaunfan said:
Shaun, everyone is very excited about you coming back to PA in less than 3 weeks and I’ve been trying very hard to get the word out. Michael S. has it just right, that you are a “tuning fork vibrating with the Holy Spirit” and that most people misunderstand what a true talent and blessing you are to people in exchange for commercially successful artists who are usually a waste of money.
I also really appreciate your honesty and know more kids would be saved if you could draw more people, which is really why you are saying this. God bless everything you and Brody are doing and I can’t wait to see you in PA on July 15th!!
Kevin
brandon mc said:
That’s exactly why you are amazing.
It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday.
brandon mc
osenga said:
I hear you, brother.
Loud and clear.
said:
Shaun,
It was wonderful to meet you Saturday night in Allegan. Thanks for taking the time to talk to my husband and I. Your music truly resonates within peoples’ hearts, and I am positive that none of the 106 people at the show went away the same. Keep on doing what you’re doing. May you and your family truly be blessed.