In talking with a friend over the weekend, the topic of Southern Gospel music came up, as is usually the case. The topic moved to the many personnel changes within the industry and the incessant ‘need to know’ attitude of the typical fan. The topic has been brought to the forefront again with the recent personnel shake up of a major artist.
The sad truth is, the Southern Gospel industry is a small industry and when something happens it doesn’t take long for ‘everyone to know’ what caused the personnel change. That is a topic for another day.
In this era of need to know now, TMZ sensationalism journalism, fans of artists believe they have every right to know why their favorite singer is no longer on the bus. Is finding out that singer’s specific transgression better for you (the fan)? Does finding out bring a concern of Christian love for that individual?
More often than not, the fan base is ready to hang that artist in front of the entire village so everyone is aware of the transgression. In the few instances where actual facts about artist’s transgressions have come to light, those artists spent years apologizing to the same fan base who once held them in great regards, in order to be able to sing again. Even then that artist will forever sing with a red ‘S’ on their chest.
Is finding out your favorite singer had an affair on their spouse, being told your favorite singer was seen in the bar drinking or being told of the countless other transgressions that occur really better?
Airing dirty laundry is no better for the fan than it is for the individual involved or the Southern Gospel industry as a whole. Some of these artists are ‘idolized’ to the point they could never live up to the standard set by the general fan. You ‘idolize’ someone long enough you are guaranteed to be let down. These artists are no different from the rest of us. They will fail. They will not always be the perfect Christian example. Are we?
David Bruce Murray
Diana Brantley
Kyle Boreing
Phil on Southern Gospel
Steve Eaton
Dirty Laundry
Posted: March 22, 2011 by Steve Eaton in CommentaryIn talking with a friend over the weekend, the topic of Southern Gospel music came up, as is usually the case. The topic moved to the many personnel changes within the industry and the incessant ‘need to know’ attitude of the typical fan. The topic has been brought to the forefront again with the recent personnel shake up of a major artist.
The sad truth is, the Southern Gospel industry is a small industry and when something happens it doesn’t take long for ‘everyone to know’ what caused the personnel change. That is a topic for another day.
In this era of need to know now, TMZ sensationalism journalism, fans of artists believe they have every right to know why their favorite singer is no longer on the bus. Is finding out that singer’s specific transgression better for you (the fan)? Does finding out bring a concern of Christian love for that individual?
More often than not, the fan base is ready to hang that artist in front of the entire village so everyone is aware of the transgression. In the few instances where actual facts about artist’s transgressions have come to light, those artists spent years apologizing to the same fan base who once held them in great regards, in order to be able to sing again. Even then that artist will forever sing with a red ‘S’ on their chest.
Is finding out your favorite singer had an affair on their spouse, being told your favorite singer was seen in the bar drinking or being told of the countless other transgressions that occur really better?
Airing dirty laundry is no better for the fan than it is for the individual involved or the Southern Gospel industry as a whole. Some of these artists are ‘idolized’ to the point they could never live up to the standard set by the general fan. You ‘idolize’ someone long enough you are guaranteed to be let down. These artists are no different from the rest of us. They will fail. They will not always be the perfect Christian example. Are we?