Dave's Top Eight

1. Jerry Reed...Revisited by Darrell Toney (reviewed 6/07) (5 Stars)
2. Sounds Like Sunday by Janet Paschal (reviewed 5/07) (5 Stars)
3. True To The Call by Kingdom Heirs (reviewed 3/07) (4 1/2 Stars)
4. Revival by Gold City (reviewed 10/06) (4 1/2 Stars)
5. Get Away Jordan by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (reviewed 2/07) (4 1/2 Stars)
6. Breakin' Chains by Three Bridges (reviewed 5/07) (4 1/2 Stars)
7. Big Sky by The Isaacs (reviewed 4/07)
8. Skywriting by Mercy's Well (reviewed 7/07)

Click title to purchase at CBD.com...click artist name to read Dave's Review. A CD will automatically fall out of the Top Eight after twelve months if no CD surpasses it before then.

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August 21, 2006

Brief Encounters-Lasting Impressions

I've told this story before, but it bears repeating.

I was treated rudely by an artist at NQC several years ago. He was chatting with another artist when I walked up to his booth and started looking at his CDs. I was his only customer at the time, so it surprised me when I stood for several minutes holding a CD in my hand waiting to pay for it. He must have thought I was trying to eavesdrop on his conversation, because eventually he glanced at me and then pulled the other artist closer, turning both of their backs to me so they could continue their conversation. What a rude person, right? Naturally, he lost a sale.

A year later, the same artist was singing at a local event. I spoke with him at his table and my impression that night was that he was one of the kindest artists I'd ever met. It was the first day of a three day event and he had to leave early. Before he left, he asked me if I minded keeping an eye on his table and helping any customers if they wanted to buy anything. What a nice guy, right? (I still didn't buy any of his CDs...but it was impressive that he'd trust a total stranger to watch his stuff.)

My point is this...
Fans form lasting impressions of artists based on very brief encounters. The vast majority of fans only speak with artists for a few minutes while other fans are clamoring around wanting to do the same thing. It can be a stressful moment for both the artist and the fan. The smallest negative incident seems major.

If you are a fan, the lesson in my tale is to not put too much weight on your brief encounter with an artist. They are just human beings, after all. This hero worship that goes on at intermission or after a concert is too often destructive, not only for the artist's ego, but also for the fan's.

If you are an artist, the lesson in my tale is to treat each fan as graciously as possible. I'm not talking about allowing them to dominate your time while other fans are waiting to speak to you...just take a moment to thank them for speaking to you.

Also, have enough sense to smile at them and take their money when they're wanting to buy your product! (Marketing 101...the customer wanting to give you money is the most important one in the room.)

The question of whether or not an artist is really sincere about their gospel music career comes up frequently on various Southern Gospel message boards. EVERY artist eventually hurts a fan's feelings, whether it's due to over-sensitivity on the part of the fan or a momentary lapse in civility by the artist. No one is perfect. Your encounter may be considerably different from another fan's brief encounter with the same artist.

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posted by David Bruce Murray @ 9:45:00 PM


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