Dear Christian Music Industry, 

This week my friend Phil did something a little out of the ordinary.  It wasn’t completely unheard of and it’s not like it hasn’t been done before, but Phil decided to record a show, make a record and give it away.  Did you hear about it?

Here’s the thing Christian Music Industry, some of you are listening now.  Some of you are listening and I think I know why.  I think you’re listening because of the simple fact that you are seeing results.  You’re seeing results like the fact that in six days now, over 9,500 people have downloaded Phil’s record.  Results like the fact that Phil’s site has had over 40,000 page views in the past six days.  You’re seeing results like both of Phil’s previous records taking significant jumps up in the Top 100 Christian Albums on iTunes in two days.  You’re seeing an album that is nearly a year old jump from number twenty-five on the chart to number ten, and a record that is over two years old jumping from number ninety-four on the chart to number twenty-five.  You’re paying attention to that because you want those results.

There’s only one problem Christian Music Industry, and here it is.  All of this didn’t happen because Phil has a blog.  Do you know how many people in the world “have blogs”?  See, most of you are still looking at blogs as something that  kids that live in their mom’s basement, and collect action figures have.  They are something that you talk about your cat on and what you had for breakfast.  And if you’ve gotten past that spot, you think blogs are a “fun extra” that bands can have like buddy icons or something.  You’re looking at it as an extra that fans will just feel blessed to have.  You want to hear what I believe?  I believe all of this happened because in the last six months Phil decided to engage his fans, create a community, involve his readers, and the result was something special.  Phil was given the ability to blog well. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not so foolish to say that the only reason Phil’s record has done really well, along with his other records, is because of his six month old blog.  Phil is an unbelievably talented musician, with a progressive label behind him, and it was only a matter of time before this happened, but there’s only so much we can attribute to coincidence, don’t you think?

Not enough of evidence for you?  How’s this?  Two days ago Bart Millard of MercyMe fame, (You’ve heard of him right, Christian Music Industry?) announced on their blog that his solo record called “Hymned Again” was available for pre-sale.  He encouraged his readers to pre-order it and asked for his “blogging community” to help make a dent in the iTunes chart by ordering a record that no one thinks will do well.  Wanna hear something funny, Christian Music Industry?  It’s currently number nineteen on the Top 100 Christian Albums on iTunes.  Not bad for a record that isn’t even out yet.

So there’s a few examples of why I think we should talk.  It’s not that I think that I can do something magical for you and make you end up at the top of charts.  If I could do that don’t you think I would be sitting there myself?  No, I am saying that if you are getting the slight idea to start a blog because you’ve seen these results and want to give it a go, I might suggest blogging well.  Just a thought.

Your Friend, Brody

Read Part Four 
Read Part Three
Read Part Two
Read Part One

The Christian Music Industry is a small part of the larger music industry, that focuses on traditional Gospel music, Southern Gospel music, and Contemporary Christian music. The majority of artists working and performing within the Christian music industry are isolated from the mainstream public, to Christian radio, magazines and record stores.

Guess how I know that.  I know that because earlier today I Googled “Christian Music Industry” and Wikipedia was the first thing to come up.  I clicked on the first link as most do and learned what you are reading above.  You know what else I noticed when I Googled “Christian Music Industry“?  I noticed that my blog, and the post showing a video of Bill Marriott, CEO of Marriott Hotels blogging, was fourth down from the top.  I thought that was interesting.

According (again) to Wikipedia The Christian Music Industry’s roots are found in the late 1960s and early 1970s Jesus Movement and its Jesus Music artists.  That’s a long time for the Christian Music Industry to be around.  Also this fun thing we call The Internet has been around for quite some time, and I think you two have worked together nicely since their beginnings.  Wouldn’t you say?   

This here simple blog of mine started almost two years ago now on August 30th, 2006 with a post about me pretending to forget things.  Sure, I’ve blogged about a bunch of different things.  I’ve talked about my kids, my wife, even mainstream music.  For anyone that has hung out here much or knows me personally knows that this thing is as random as my brain is.  There has never been any strict focus to specifically write about you, the Christian Music Industry, yet for some magical reason my blog has still managed to end up on the first page of Google.  Isn’t that weird?  What a random coincidence!

Here’s the thing “Christian Music Industry”, you’ve been around for a while.  There are plenty of people talking about you online and otherwise.  Lots of people saying nice things, and lots of people saying not so nice things.  It’s a good thing you have someone on your team at the top of Google, don’t you think?

Are you ready to talk yet?

Read Part One
Read Part Two