Comments on: On the Minor Leagues http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111 Positive Daily Commentary on Southern Gospel Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:47:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tom http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111/comment-page-1#comment-319 Tom Mon, 06 Nov 2006 02:52:14 +0000 http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111#comment-319 Bob, very interesting comparison. You're certainly correct about some of the CCM groups. One difficulty, though, is that CCM is such a huge collective of styles that only one slice of the CCM pie fits what you've described. The praise/worship movement fits what you've described aptly. Maybe a few singer/songwriter types do as well. But CCM also has a ton of soloists and singer/songwriters (much more so than southern gospel), and a bunch of them are not involved in local church worship teams. You've also got the rock bands (and a whole range of diversity in style), which may form among friends in a youth group but are frequently not involved in organized worship. And don't forget the bands that want as little to do with organized churches as possible (the "we're just Christians in a band, not a Christian band" types). I'd be surprised if the "local church worship team as farm league for CCM" makes up much more than 10% of the overall CCM pie, so I'd say Daniel's comparison is largely validated. Bob, very interesting comparison. You’re certainly correct about some of the CCM groups. One difficulty, though, is that CCM is such a huge collective of styles that only one slice of the CCM pie fits what you’ve described. The praise/worship movement fits what you’ve described aptly. Maybe a few singer/songwriter types do as well. But CCM also has a ton of soloists and singer/songwriters (much more so than southern gospel), and a bunch of them are not involved in local church worship teams. You’ve also got the rock bands (and a whole range of diversity in style), which may form among friends in a youth group but are frequently not involved in organized worship. And don’t forget the bands that want as little to do with organized churches as possible (the “we’re just Christians in a band, not a Christian band” types). I’d be surprised if the “local church worship team as farm league for CCM” makes up much more than 10% of the overall CCM pie, so I’d say Daniel’s comparison is largely validated.

]]> By: Bob http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111/comment-page-1#comment-317 Bob Mon, 06 Nov 2006 00:50:05 +0000 http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111#comment-317 Daniel - I see your point, but I think the comparison is somewhat flawed. I can think of a number of Contemporary Christian groups that started as the praise and worship band in somewhat larger churches. Singing together for multiple services every Sunday morning, and being asked to do special music for retreats, holiday concerts and other church activities tend to develop excellent musicians. So in that sense, churches are the 'minor leagues', but can often be more demanding than singing in a traveling group doing a set playlist. It is also useful to note that when CCM groups break up, the members end up back in the church as worship leaders - back in the 'minor leagues', so to speak... Daniel – I see your point, but I think the comparison is somewhat flawed. I can think of a number of Contemporary Christian groups that started as the praise and worship band in somewhat larger churches. Singing together for multiple services every Sunday morning, and being asked to do special music for retreats, holiday concerts and other church activities tend to develop excellent musicians. So in that sense, churches are the ‘minor leagues’, but can often be more demanding than singing in a traveling group doing a set playlist.

It is also useful to note that when CCM groups break up, the members end up back in the church as worship leaders – back in the ‘minor leagues’, so to speak…

]]> By: natesings http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111/comment-page-1#comment-314 natesings Sun, 05 Nov 2006 09:09:59 +0000 http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111#comment-314 I would think that a reason for the low turnover in a CCM group vs. the high turnover in a SG group has something to do with the amount of time on the road. The typical SG group tours Thu-Sun every week of the year except for a few weeks vacation. Then there are times when they are gone 20 days or so, for example a West Coast tour. CCM groups don't have nearly as demanding of a schedule. I can see how that could get old really quick. I would think that a reason for the low turnover in a CCM group vs. the high turnover in a SG group has something to do with the amount of time on the road. The typical SG group tours Thu-Sun every week of the year except for a few weeks vacation. Then there are times when they are gone 20 days or so, for example a West Coast tour. CCM groups don’t have nearly as demanding of a schedule. I can see how that could get old really quick.

]]> By: Tom http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111/comment-page-1#comment-311 Tom Sun, 05 Nov 2006 08:04:33 +0000 http://www.southerngospelblog.com/archives/111#comment-311 Daniel, I love the comparison you've made between southern gospel and CCM. I think you're exactly right in that analysis, and this kind of insightful thinking/writing is why I check your blog regularly. I'm certain you're correct when you wrote that major groups want to hire someone who will stick around for awhile, and I think you're correct in pointing out the farm league comparisons where the potential major group members get ready for the big leagues. It's ironic, then, that so many times these recruits from the farm leagues don't stick around in the "major group" for more than three albums . . . . Daniel, I love the comparison you’ve made between southern gospel and CCM. I think you’re exactly right in that analysis, and this kind of insightful thinking/writing is why I check your blog regularly. I’m certain you’re correct when you wrote that major groups want to hire someone who will stick around for awhile, and I think you’re correct in pointing out the farm league comparisons where the potential major group members get ready for the big leagues. It’s ironic, then, that so many times these recruits from the farm leagues don’t stick around in the “major group” for more than three albums . . . .

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