How to have a successful Christian Music event?

Does anyone have any secrets to having a successful Christian Music event?

In the last few years it seems that people just don't want to go to any type of Christian music event. My guess is that everyone is just too tired from Work & life.
Of course the other reason could be to many bad Christian events have scared everyone off.

On the other side we've had some horrible punk music shows & 200 kids come out. They only spent a total of $40 between all of them...so nobody made their money back.:twisted:

I'm just lookin' for insight

Define successful...
If those 20 kids came to a Christian punk event, and spent the evening worshipping in their oddly dressed, mosh-pit jumping fashion, as opposed to being out on the street drinking, smoking, pillaging and plundering, then there ya go, that's successful in a way.

If you are looking for success in dollar signs, I can't help you... but to me a successful Christian music event is the one where somebody is moved... whether it's one or 100 or (insert desired turnout here.)
That means you offer music that reaches out to the crowd, a stage show that grabs their attention, and maybe some good testimony thrown in...
someting like that. Good sound and lights are always a good start, too, along with the proper people to run them.

My opinion, ymmv and all that.

Dan

I think most "Christian music events" are only going to attract believers, which is fine if that's your desire. I think unbelievers have been turned off by preachiness, hypocrisy and meanspiritedness of people who present themselves as Christians, and they don't want any of what we're selling. I don't know about Christians turning out for Christian music events, as I've only been to a few and they were well-attended. People under 25 or so don't seem to have much money to spend, especially if it's not close to a good-sized city.

I think most "Christian music events" are only going to attract believers...

In alot of cases that may be true, for many reasons.

I do know that you are more likely to attract non-Christians to a music event than you are to an event just featruing a speaker or somethihng like that... music is a universal language, and good music will attract attention, no matter what kind it is.

A well advertised, well planned and organized event is alot more likely to attract a variety of attendees. Lots of quality promoting, previewing and things like that will certainly help, as will providing a good show.

One reason that alot of Christian events I've seen have been poorly attended or 'unsuccessful' is because of lack of promotion. As Christians, we tend to aim at Christians when we advertise for upcoming events... IE, church bulletins, announcements, things like that... If you want to reach out, you actually have to reach out... they won't come if you don't tell them. Word of mouth will only go so far.
Advertise in the local papers, in 'underground' bulletins, even on radio and tv if you can. You have to get the word out to get the Word out...

Bek's comment is very true about the younger crowd as well... if you're looking for money, you may not want to go after the younger crowd as a whole. But then, is that how you want to define success?

This could easily turn into a long dissertation... actually I think it has. I'll stop here and get off my soapbox before I fall off.


D

I recently attended an amazing concert by a guy named Matisyahu. He does a kind of weird reggae/rap/monster rock and roll thing, and is an orthodox Jew. It really was an incredible experience, and I'm still digesting it. If "successful" means you didn't run into the red financially on the event and people of all types and ages enjoyed it thoroughly and probably went away thinking about how the artist is totally committed to God and that might just be a good thing, then that concert is the most successful one I've ever seen.

Define successful...

If you are looking for success in dollar signs, I can't help you... but to me a successful Christian music event is the one where somebody is moved... whether it's one or 100 or (insert desired turnout here.)
That means you offer music that reaches out to the crowd, a stage show that grabs their attention, and maybe some good testimony thrown in...
someting like that. Good sound and lights are always a good start, too, along with the proper people to run them.

My opinion, ymmv and all that.

Dan


I agree about touching lives.....it's the reason to play.
However,the bottom line is,well,the bottom line.None of us get groceries for free because we are believers.To have good lights and a good PA cost money,because they must be hired out,plus the expense and time to get everything there and set it up.It's not a matter of getting rich,but rather being wise.Then you have to get bands who want to come play---for free?
Face it, CCM is a business,and should be treated as such.The reason you see so many artists singing with tracks instead of a band (which they'd prefer) is because of the ghostly financial support of the listeners.
Back in '90 I go a call from a lady wanting to book my band (trio) for a youth Lock In.It was almost 40 miles away,and we were to play 3 different times from 9 PM to 4 AM the next morning.I told her that our fee for such an event was a flat $250,plus expenses for travel (gas,ect.).There was silence on the other end of the phone.I then asked her what she had been budgeted to pay for a band,and she had no answer; apparently they thought a band would not charge. It is an isolated incident,I don't blame her,but it does happen.Too often Christians want music for almost if not free."How come he came alone with a guitar and tracks instead of band?" we say as we toss $3.00 in for a "love offering." But we will spend $20 after the show on a pizza.:roll:
My goal (and prayer) is to be financially free enough to go play anywhere ,regardless of what amount of $ is involved.

Successful? Well, like any kind of even it is important to invite all of your friends, and their friends, friends, and their friends, and so on and so on...

If you want church folks to come out then contact all of the churches and talk to everybody that you can. Send a fax, an email and follow up with a personal phone call. You know, talking to the secretary can be very influential.

Put up posters everywhere you can. And when you are done, put them out again. Make a matching invitation card and leave them wherever you can (churches, Christian bookstores, restaurants, skateparks, swimming pools, . At your church, band members churches, the places that you have called and made contacts.

Get as much help as you can. Put everybody to work that is willing to do it. Every person that is involved and moving around in public has the opportunity to encourage and motivate all of those that are around them. It is how they encourage and motivate others that makes all the difference.

All of this will get some people to come out to whatever event you are putting together. But, don't waste your time by doing it only once. Make a regular event, at least yearly, maybe even quarterly. The more familiar you are to your given public the more they will trust you and feel like they are already a part of what you are doing.

One more thing, maybe it will help. You make a living by what you get paid for doing. You make a life by what you give.

Blessings,

Bob


PS - Oh, yeah... I probably don't have to mention this, but at the risk of sounding too independent or fleshly I would say 'pray without ceasing.'

thanks for some of the insights everyone.

I've been involved with Christian music events for over 10 years now. Just looking for some fresh ideas from around the continent. We don't ever plan to make a profit...but not going totally broke would be nice.

But one of my goals is to get Christians to support Christian music. Crazy idea! "I know".

Sounds like you need a sponsor / benefactor. Ask around. If you have a vision and can communicate it clearly you never know who will be willing to support you.

thanks for some of the insights everyone.

I've been involved with Christian music events for over 10 years now. Just looking for some fresh ideas from around the continent. We don't ever plan to make a profit...but not going totally broke would be nice.

But one of my goals is to get Christians to support Christian music. Crazy idea! "I know".


Hello Rod. I assume that's you. I've seen you at the Gospel Blues Festival. I've attended 2 of 4. I enjoyed it and thought the music was very good. I think that a lot of Christians like the CCM style of music like Amy Grant, Rebecca St James, etc. Pretty much pop music. So some kinds of Christian music would turn those people off. Most of my friends especially the wives who probably consume 90% of Christian music, don't like artists like Darrell Mansfiled, Glenn Kaiser, and Larry Howard. Many people also don't want to sit in a field or be exposed to loud electric guitars. Especially with a title like Gospel Blues. It's like Christian Metal. Conflict of terms? I prefer full-on black gospel music so I only get that when the Blind Boys are in town.
peace.

I know what you mean, daddyopapa, that kind of stuff is hard to find. The Ben Harper and the Blind Boys album is great, as is the Dixie Hummingbirds' Diamond Jubilee album. I also recommend the Time & Strike stuff, now only sold on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Rev-Dan-Smith-Harmonica-CD-Live-at-Fox-Hollow_W0QQitemZ110165253055QQihZ001QQcategoryZ307 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Check his other items. He's Michael Hakanson-Stacy, and sells his own excellent resonator country blues.

I'm unusually blessed, wife-wise; she just insisted I buy the other six cds from him we didn't already have. If there was a black-gospel church anywhere near here, we'd be attending!

I know what you mean, daddyopapa, that kind of stuff is hard to find. The Ben Harper and the Blind Boys album is great, as is the Dixie Hummingbirds' Diamond Jubilee album. I also recommend the Time & Strike stuff, now only sold on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Rev-Dan-Smith-Harmonica-CD-Live-at-Fox-Hollow_W0QQitemZ110165253055QQihZ001QQcategoryZ307 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Check his other items. He's Michael Hakanson-Stacy, and sells his own excellent resonator country blues.

I'm unusually blessed, wife-wise; she just insisted I buy the other six cds from him we didn't already have. If there was a black-gospel church anywhere near here, we'd be attending!


Thanks for the link. I've got the CD Darrell Mansfiled did with Rev. Dan Smith. I'll ccheck this out.

thanks for some of the insights everyone.

I've been involved with Christian music events for over 10 years now. Just looking for some fresh ideas from around the continent. We don't ever plan to make a profit...but not going totally broke would be nice.

But one of my goals is to get Christians to support Christian music. Crazy idea! "I know".

Hi Rod,
Someone told me to look for what God is doing and get involved with it. I've put on a lot of events, some did well, some did not. I have paid alot of money in the past to put on benefit shows for "causes" that no one seemed to care about. There is so much going on, only so much time in the day and everybody is competing for your time.
Back2Blues is probably the most "successful" events that I've ever been involved with but it's not a money maker. It is definatly in the realm of ministry and those who are supporting it are making sacrifices to make it continue. I've decided to put my efforts into Back2Blues as it is worthy, the are commited people working together, and its bigger than me.

Define successful...
If those 20 kids came to a Christian punk event, and spent the evening worshipping in their oddly dressed, mosh-pit jumping fashion, as opposed to being out on the street drinking, smoking, pillaging and plundering, then there ya go, that's successful in a way.


I used to run sound in a Youth for Christ drop-in center, they'd have Christian Punk and Hardcore bands come in as they were passing through, and there was a local group who had a pretty big fanbase. The venue was tiny, maybe 40'x20' and the stage was at most 9'x6' and they'd have a 3 piece band up there. It was awesome, the kids loved it, it was loud and roudy, and it kept kids off the street that night. It would take about 5 minuites to get across the room it'd be so packed in there, we're lucky we never got shut down. A lot of the kids there would never want to be seen in a church, but they had no problem coming in and listening/rocking out to punk bands with christian lyrics. I found those musicians to be some of the most genuine people I've ever met. Most of them were garage bands who took a month off work to just live the dream for God, and were pretty amazed even to have monitors to work with. I really hope they catch a big break someday.

No sure about the realm of Christian Blues or Christian Rock, etc.. I am involved with Christian Country. While a lot of what we do is in and amongst the local church, or some sort of outreach ministry of a local church. Some times it may be a coffee house, etc. owned by Christian people.

We are just starting to "venture out" into arenas where we are the "un-invited guest" so-to-speak.

I have a very good friend (& brother) who ministers at a lot of NASCAR races, public venues, etc.. Their whole approach to ministering to the masses is based upon the story of Gideon. Of course, there are other organizations involved with these huge outreaches, not just a "lone ranger" approach.
Organizations like Audio Outreach Ministries.

I think there are some very big Christian events that are very successful at attracting huge attendance, but for the most part the local events connected with the local church are NOT approached with an attitude of EXCELLENCE. Too many times, as someone has already said here, we'll have no problem shelling out $100 to go to a baseball game, or $50 for dinner and a movie, but when it comes time to support an outreach event for the church, we through in $5 or $10, or we simply act like we have fish hooks in our pockets.

I have been a part of a few events that drew in 700 to 800 people in an auditorium in neutral territory, not in a church building. These events are planned well in advance. And while the person organizing the event ends up pay for most of the bill out of their own pocket, lots of efforts are made with donations from local businesses, donations from individuals, lots of efforts and contacts made with radio and TV stations, as well as printing advertisements that are organized with local banks, who then send a flyer out with every bank statement for 2 months.

You've got to think outside the box when it comes to advertising. The most successful "concerts" in terms of turnout and lives affected through salvations, recommitments, etc... are the events that are NOT billed as Christian events. These concerts are advertised as Country Music concerts.

Again, for the nay-sayer and the skeptic, or the one who thinks this is a comprimise, go read the story of Gideon. He and his army went in armed with nothing but their instruments. Their "lights" were hidden under pitchers. They went in blowing their trumpets, then smashed their pitchers and exposed their lights. The enemy was then confused and turned on theirselves and the battle was won.

I think it's ok to not advertise something as a "Christian" event if our desire is to save the lost. Let the music do the preaching and the ministering, then when you have "won" over the audience, as the holy spirit leads, begin to minister verbally to the needs of the people. "Throw the net" and be a fisher of men. "Break your pitcher" and let your light shine. Present the gospel and let God do His work.

The people I know who operate this way are seeing phenomenal results. I'm talking about 300 to 400 salvations at a time.

Check out this article:

http://www.crosscountryministries.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/freedomandfamilyoutreachevents.pdf

And check out the website. www.crosscountryministries.org Again, I don't benefit from telling any of you about this ministry, but it may give some of you some fresh perspective or a fresh approach to ministering through music.

be blessed.

Hey, this thread comes to life again. THanks guys.

I'm involved with an ongoing Christian Coffee house (live music ministry) outreach. So its great to hear your thoughts.