SouthernGospelBlog.com

It has been a slow news day so far (what can I say–it’s 6:30 AM!), so I’ll follow David Bruce Murray’s lead and post a link to this fascinating article.
Executive summary: This article makes the case that an artist only needs 1,000 true fans–fans who purchase everything they release–to make a living. Everyone else–the occasional fans, who will purchase something they particularly like–is the icing on the cake. But if you can build a solid fan base of 1,000 dedicated fans, you can build a long-term career.
I don’t know that I would agree with everything the author says, but the article certainly is thought-provoking.

Several months ago, Wes Burke started the Burke’s Brainwork blog. It’s gotten off to a strong start, as Burke has made a strong effort to post daily. (For anyone who hasn’t tried it, this can be quite a challenge!)

Anyhow, yesterday he welcomed another contributor to his blog. Nate Pritchard, who comments as “natesings” on this blog and others, will now be contributing occasional posts. Stop over and welcome him to the blogosphere!

Liberty Quartet’s tenor Keith Waggoner writes a blog that has both personal/family and Southern Gospel-related posts. But it’s invariably interesting enough to make my daily read list. Yesterday’s post on how he’s faced the modern vs. traditional music debate from both sides is interesting and informative reading, even if it does carry the title “Soapbox Rant.” Particularly interesting is when he discusses a somewhat frequent occurrence, when those who view their music as too traditional often come up afterwards and sheepishly admit that it actually blessed them.

Fairly frequently, some fan of Southern Gospel starts a blog. All too often, he or she will make a few posts and decide that the level of effort required to write posts is more than they want to put forth.

Two blogs–Coomer Cove and Burke’s Brainwork–started in mid-September. Two months later, both bloggers are still keeping their blogs updated nearly every day. I think a little bit of recognition is due both of these bloggers. They are off to a great start, and if they can maintain the pace they’ve set for themselves, either or both could join the ranks of the Southern Gospel blogs most worth reading and watching on a daily basis.

Prophets Quartet lead singer Paul Jackson will be live-blogging another vocal session today at his blog, here. The Prophets have definitely done a great job keeping up a buzz online, despite what is approaching a year-long delay in the release of their debut project.

Welcome Wes Burke’s Burke’s Brainwork to the growing list of Southern Gospel blogs. His review of the Imperials’ latest release is especially promising.

Welcome Brandon and Lisa Coomer to the Southern Gospel blogosphere; their new blog, Coomer Cove, just launched. I understand that the blog will not solely be about Southern Gospel, but stop by and welcome them anyhow.

I don’t really have anything on my mind today for a post, so for your daily read I point you to John Scheideman’s latest, on Ed Hill picking up another fan. I know he picked me up as a fan when he graciously let me interview him (for this blog) for over an hour, and it’s nice to see others feeling the same way.

Speaking of the Prophets, it’s taken seemingly forever for their debut album to be completed, but from everything I’m hearing it should be very good when it’s finally done.

I notice that Prophets Lead Singer Paul Jackson has started a new blog, here: http://pauljacksongroup.com/blog/.

I note that Southern Gospel blogging newcomer Adam Edwards has conducted his first interview, and it’s a good one. Check out his interview with Rodney Baucom, of JoyFM and of the Southern Gospel top 20 countdown here.