01.30.07 The “Jesus” You Never Heard Pt.4
The article was half the length originally proposed/promised by the magazine. It didn’t mention the “Jesus” song, or the controversy surrounding it, or the expert panel, or the compromise reached. I had been asked a few warm-up questions at the start of the interview - about how I balanced family and career and how it was to go from church janitor guy to “success” so quickly and what the hardest thing was about my job - and those questions formed the basis for the final cover story.
I’ve contacted the interviewer/writer and asked her what happened. She’s a very talented musician and lyricist herself these days with a lot of edgy things to say so I figured she’d help me out here. But she’s not talking. She writes…
“[Magazine X] hired me as a freelance writer to pen the piece. I was following the editorial direction given to me. If you have questions about the direction
of the piece, I would encourage you to contact [editor’s name], [Magazine X’s] current editor (although I think it was [former editor’s name] who was the
editor at the time the story was assigned)…I still freelance for [Magazine X], and [current editor] has always been great to work with....
...That wasn’t my jurisdiction as a freelance writer.
So I’ve e-mailed the former editor, the guy who gave this writer her “direction,” three times. I’ve also sent him a message through his myspace page. We’ve always hit it off when we get together. He’s always been quick to reply to e-mails. This time, no reply.
The irony/hyspocrisy to me is that this editor is now an author who often writes about all that’s wrong with the commercialized Christian subculture. But it seems that when he had a chance to write something meaningful about how we can fight for truth and win within the confines of this hated subculture he didn’t do so for reasons he’s not saying. I stress that it seems that way - without a response from him I can’t know much for certain.
But is it a coincidence that the book store chain involved in this story was a regular source of advertising revenue for this publication? That’s one theory first postulated and relayed to me by an employee of the magazine.
So why bring all this up? Why tell this whole “Jesus” story. It’s not to harm anyone, or else I’d name names. I’ve not done that at all. No, I tell this story first as a cautionary tale. Beware capitalism, which in itself is not evil but, when allowed to climb to the top position on the priority list, can undermine all else beneath it.
Why do record labels tend toward “worship music” today? Why do Adult Contemporary (AC) radio stations target the women they do? Why do some churches operate the way they do, fearful of demanding anything from members - including thought and service? Why do some artists abandon their families and churches and neighborhoods and spiritual and emotional health to tour far too much? Why do booking companies often ignore promoters who can only pay a “love offering?” Why do some stores knowingly sell t-shirts and books and music that communicate erroneous doctrine? Why do they sometimes ban products that can’t be returned? Why do distribution companies advise going along with such bans?
Money.
Why does an author write about the lack of substance in the subculture but refuse to defend substance when he gets the chance? Could it be?
I wonder.
And I tell this story, secondly, to say to you, the sometimes equally cynical, this isn’t all the story there is to tell.
A friend of mine has given up on church. He’s seen a lot of bad stuff. He’s a preacher’s kid. They often do. He’s seen ministers committing adultery, staff members covering it up, elders and deacons playing along. He’s seen financial corruption and money spent where it’s not needed at the expense of meeting real needs in his community. He’s been beaten up. And he’s made the mistake, I think, of believing his bad experiences are all the experience he’s had with church and that the people who’ve hurt him are the only kind of people there are in church.
Likewise, I’ve spent nine years working in the Christian music business, on and off stages. And in that time I’ve seen a great deal of abuse and corruption. Most of my friends in it have too. And I swore I wouldn’t become a cynic. But I did. I did because I started to believe that my bad experiences were the only experiences I’d had and that the bad people I’d been hurt by were the only kind of people in this industry.
I forgot about the many good guys. Like the people doing what they do for little or no cash at all. The bulk of talent in radio gets paid squat, but they keep showing up to play the music and talk to listeners. The bulk of minimum wagers at book stores and the managers of independent shops aren’t letting money dominate their thinking. Most artists are willing to play anywhere for almost anything just because they love music and people and God. Most salesmen on the road hocking my music for a distribution company do it because they love music and the power they know it has to change people for the better. Most label employees I’ve known have a hard time thinking about the bottom-line first and grow weary of great ideas and music getting drowned in financial concerns.
I’ve got the bruises. But I’m still here. I wouldn’t be if I thought all hope was lost. I wouldn’t be if not for the folks in the previous paragraph.
I’m asking you to do three things in light of all this:
1) Tell me when I go all cynical on you. if the stories I tell are one-sided, if I go off into negativity land for an extended period, e-mail me. Kindly, steer me back to a reality that is both good and bad.
2) If anyone in this industry is disappointing you, let them know (kindly and privately) and stop giving them your money. And if someone is doing the right thing and doing it well, tell them (publicly and often).
3) Read the series I’m about to write on Christian radio over on the Music Blog. No other sector of this industry makes more people angry than radio. I’ll attempt to explain what they do, why they do it, and who does it well. Yes, I’ll point out what’s busted but I won’t name names and my aim will be to extoll the good and the innovators in that business in the end, not to bash an already highly-criticized group of people. I hope to make some peace between radio and its critics.
So I tricked you I suppose. I put out a series of posts that acted like bait for all the cynics throwing stones at the CCM industry - a group over which I could be crowned king. And boy did you show up. My hits increased. The links came in. And I gathered you all here to say, well, yea, you’re right, there’s a lot of junk in this industry, but to be a cynic requires you and I to lie to ourselves - to categorize the good guys along with leprechauns and unicorns. Problem is they do exist. And there are a lot of them.
Tim said:
Hey, just wanted to let you know I listened to your sermon at origins online and loved it. Reminded me of the old fusion days. Keep it up, man.
euphrony said:
I suspected that the timing of part 4 had something to do with the timing of another series on Christian radio at another magazine. You’re comments make me more sure of that. And I would agree with you’re timing.
Shaun, one of the primary reasons I read your blog is because of how you fight so hard to keep yourself honest in looking at a picture that can frustrate the best of us. I am one of the those who has become somewhat cynical about the industry - and this from the perspective of a music lover, not a musician or promoter. But more than gripe sessions and finger-pointing, I want solutions, maturation, growth. I want to see this format of Christian music (that is, music devoted to Christ) do all it can to touch people (both believers and non-believers), and that goal will not be accomplished through sniping.
Thank you, profoundly, for how you strive to build up and not tear down.
said:
Cynicism often seems Satan’s last stranglehold on Christ’s followers. When sexual temptation and the materialism of America no longer have any effect on us, when we really do sell our lives for the opportunity to build this Kingdom we’ve read about, Satan throws a twist at us.
He tells us we’re alone. That everyone else out there doesn’t get it… that Jesus has left the planet and the Spirit has departed. And we throw in the towel.
I, too, am a cynic. It’s as destructive in the Church as gossip and lying and hatred. Maybe we need cynics anonymous or something.
But the Church will hold itself up. Confession is good for the soul, not because it removes our guilt, but because it heals our sin.
Thanks for the writings.
Mark said:
A good reminder. Thanks.
Zach Nielsen said:
I have written about some similar issues on my blog. I used to live in Nashville and played on the road with a CCM artist as a side man and had a publishing deal with Word Ent. for about 6 months before I moved to Albuquerque. If you are interested you can read the posts here:
http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2006/05/timeless-music-and-ccm.html
http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2006/04/fat-bottom-girls-and-ccm.html
john said:
As an outsider of the industry (who would love to be an insider), it is difficult not to become cynical of the Christian Music Industry, due to stories like yours, and from an overall distaste of where the industry appears to be heading.
It is not hard to see that the business side of Christian music has found a formula to success, if you measure the success only in money.
Labels are producing artists/bands that are obvious knockoffs of mainstream artists, while many artists are using the Christian Music Industry as a springboard into the mainstream, which in many cases just looks like a bid for fame and fortune to an outsider.
Not that we are against getting the message into the mainstream, but the artists who we respect the most are the ones that cross over without really trying, by virtue of their talent and the quality of their music.
With a number of the larger Christian Label imprints owned and controlled by mainstream labels, it comes as no surprise. They make the rules, and it is difficult to succeed as a label outside of those rules.
The Christian music industry needs to find a way to balance the business success with a commitment to the message. I think you are beginning to see the music buying public call the industry out on this.
Most likely, it will take a change of heart among the most influential Christian artists and industry players to make any kind of change happen. The problem here is that because of their success, they are unlikely to rock the boat and jeopardize their career.
Shaun Groves said:
Good comments. A few misconceptions though I’d like to clear up if I can:
1.No one crosses over without really trying.
2.Mainstream owners of Christian labels do not get involved in day to day business at the Christian label. Hold them accountable on profits, sure, but they don’t tell Christian labels what to sign and what to sing etc.
shaunfan said:
Shaun, I just listened to the edited “Jesus” I have heard for the last 4 years and as much as I appreciate your creative approach to songwriting and the message of the song, I don’t have a problem with the edited released version of the song. It’s still a powerful message and one of your best songs.
So, I guess I’m steering away from the negativity by supporting the edited version of the song. At the same time, I very much agree with euphrony’s comments about focusing the message of this story on how to improve the industry with honesty and passion, and not just be cynical.
Thanks for the story and lesson about capitalism, but most of all thanks for your music, honesty and passion.
Shaun Groves said:
Shaunfan, you know I like the edited version too. And I’ve had loads of addicts write to say “Jesus trying hard to quit” helped them tremendously.
john said:
Shaun - thanks for your response to my comment. Let me clarify if I may. I probably should have said that some artists have had a degree of crossover success without it appearing that they tried to cross over.
My main point of reference for that is Mercy Me and their song “I Can Only Imagine”, which enjoyed moderate rotation on mainstream stations long after it had fallen off the map on Christian radio. As I understand it was listener response at one particular station that started all of that. I am sure that what followed was some behind the scenes radio promotion that allowed the song to go nationwide.
But, the song itself would not have appeared to have been written with the mainstream audience in mind. Several of the band’s singles that followed that were also picked up by the mainstream stations as a result. It did not appear to change the band, or their songwriting though.
I know that some well-intentioned artists have been unfairly criticized for making attempts at crossing over, when their intent was simply reaching more people with their message. But there are also some who have just followed the money, leaving their Christian fans feeling somewhat slighted.
About number 2, that is somewhat comforting to know that the parent companies are pretty hands off. I would think that having the parent companies expectations hanging over your head would prevent you from doing things that are too risky or too radical, and that’s really what I meant mostly.
Reading your blogs has really opened my eyes to a lot of different things, so what you are doing is having an impact, especially as more people hear about it.
Cali Amy said:
Yay! Thanks for a great post and a great reminder. There have also been some great comments on here that are food for thought. I really enjoyed this whole series.
Kat said:
I certainly look forward to your upcoming series, Shaun.
I have to say, though, that it seems like an uphill battle to change an industry without changing the people first. Too often we, as Christians, aren’t “peculiar” so why should the music industry be any different?
We as individuals are often just copying the mainstream while playing Christian...afraid to be “different” or step outside the mainstream. Maybe the current state of the music industry is just right for us.
On the other hand, maybe art needs to lead the way, and be an example of where we can, should and need to be as the Church.
Just some random thoughts.
Shaun Groves said:
Kat, I think you’re right. So it begins with you and me.
I think what you’ll like about the upcoming series on radio is the alternative I propose to radio. Alternative? Yep. Not an alternative listening experience but an alternative marketing mechanism.
My friends in radio probably realize this already but they are in fact most important to artists and labels not as a ministry tool but as a marketing tool - right or wrong. A song on the radio is a commercial for an artist, her ministry and her products. more effective than a banner ad or a magazine interview. BUT as stations play fewer and fewer artists, fewer labels and artists get the benefit of that “commercial” time.
That, I believe, is a huge reason why radio is so scrutinized by artists and label at the moment - and why industry sales are down. Radio stations stopped marketing a large number of artists on behalf of the labels. Playlists shrank starting in 2001. The labels have a hard time figuring out since then how to sell products and artists have a hard time figuring out how to gain influence without the “free” marketing/exposure radio once doled out so liberally.
Radio, therefore, has power. We all clamor for it’s favor. Without play there are few sales, and no Doves or Grammies. None.
But if we replace, or at least supplement, radio’s influence with a machine of our own…
Brant said:
NO! ...I mean, no “machines of our own”. Don’t talk like that. Bad. Just listen to me on my station, or one of our sister statinos, and everything will be okay.
Great post, Shaun. I would add that, at root, it’s not (and this will seem naive, but it’s not) all about the money. There’s a mixed bag of motivations, and some are noble, as you gracefully acknowledge.
Second, I’m not sure if I’m the friend who’s given up on church that you reference (it sounds like me.) If so, I’d say I haven’t given up on church at all. I’ve given up on certain modern western ideas of it that some of us presume IS the church, but isn’t really. I’m just being persnickety.
Last: I thought I read that CCM industry sales were UP (?) Thought I read that recently. (It may well be wrong, but I read that, and was surprised.)
Brant
Shaun Groves said:
Actually, you’re not, but your story is similar isn’t it? There’s a lot of that going around eh? (What am I, Canadian?) Yes, we’re all clear that you have your own pretend “church” without a steeple and a band and a preacher and jumbotrons...whatever.
Minus mainstream artists bogusly counted as part of our industry, CCM sales are down. Clever math on the part of GMA has them up - but they’re not. I’ll get to that.
And yea, mixed bag is right. No one’s motives are completely one dimension right? But without money as the lead motivation I wonder what we - all of us - could become. Idealistic I suppose.
Brant said:
Well, I just want to make clear, right here and now, that my, Brant Hansen’s, church has zero (0) jumbotrons.
CCM figures: Yes, that makes sense. Is paradox, yes?
said:
Churches really have jumbotrons? Man do I live in a small town…
I can almost imagine it now… Jesus on the mountain top, cordless boom mic hanging on his cheek… jumbotron shows a huge picture zoomed in on his face. Words under his mug say, “Need Him? Call 1-800-NEED-HIM. Visa and Mastercard accepted.”
Boy am I glad he chose 2000 years ago to grace us with his presence.
Shaun Groves said:
I sometimes wish he’d waited until this Century just to see how He’d communicate. We might have been surprised.
Brody Harper said:
Brant.
Small correction.
“Well, I just want to make clear, right here and now, that my, Brant Hansen’s, (pretend) church has zero (0) jumbotrons.”
That is all.
Bryan Riley said:
Jesus told us long ago we can’t serve both Mammon and God. America is going to give it her best shot, nonetheless. It didn’t work then and it won’t work today. People look first to their budget before deciding to obey all too often.
Cynicism can be little more than self-righteousness, so we must be wary, even if we can keep from worshiping Mammon, a big if, we will quickly make gods of ourselves.
Great post. And great music. Keep offering everything you have to Him as your spiritual act of worship.
said:
Luke 9:57-62
[57] As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
[58] Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
[59] He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
[60] Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
[61] Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
[62] Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus Christ comes before everything. Nothing in my past life gave me any lasting peace or satisfaction. I was always looking, searching; all my vain attempts to be noticed, appreciated, loved, or respected, ended in ashes. I’ve had it all – marriage, kids, house, car, & job security - & lost it all through, sin. My purpose in life is to proclaim the kingdom of God, without looking back on my past life. I am a sinner who deserves to go to hell but Jesus has delivered me from my inequities, through his death on the cross. His love lasts forever. I was lost but was found by Jesus. I love Jesus, so much. Oh! Merciful Jesus! Praise the Lord!!
Peace Be With You
Patrick
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