Keith Plott to leave Brian Free & Assurance?
So it is reported on the Singing News forums. I have no official word yet, but I can’t help but wonder if Bill Lawrence will return.
5 February 2007
Humbard and the Cathedrals / Gaither and Signature Sound
Quartet-man made an interesting comment on the Averyfineline blog:
The sales and exposure from the Gaither machine can make a huge difference. The smart groups are ones who take advantage of this, but don’t put all of their eggs in the Gaither basket, because no one (except God of course really knows how much longer Gaither will be doing the videos or singing itself. If groups put all of their dependence on him, they could find themselves in the same boat the Cathedrals did when the deal with Rex Humbard fell through.
This is a thought-provoking comment and worthy of some serious thought.
One of the first thoughts to come to mind is to compare the Cathedrals’ position with the Humbard organization to Signature Sound’s with the Gaithers.
In various articles and in their joint autobiography, George and Glen said that they they had a difficult time after leaving Humbard because the Humbard fans almost viewed them as part of the choir, not as a separate act of their own.
On the other hand, Signature Sound has done some thoroughly successful summer concert tours, as well as solo dates through the rest of the year apart from the Gaither Homecoming appearances. One of the biggest challenges the Cathedrals faced was drawing a crowd without Rex Humbard there; Signature Sound is already drawing thousands on their own.
Will their popularity take a hit whenever Bill Gaither retires? I suppose it is quite possible. But I also think that the longer they have under the current setup, the better of a chance they will have of making it on their own afterwards.
