"Christian", "Gospel" Music

[funkStrat_97]

Do you think that by labeling music as "Christian" or "Gospel" that we may be putting ourselves into a box and limiting the impact that our music can have?  Why can't our music be out there on the shelves along with the latest mainstream hip-hop, r&b, and rock?  If our music was labeled according to style, I think that it would open a door for people to check out artists that they would have otherwise passed over in the small section labeled "Christain" or "Gospel".  These labels will draw Christians to spend thier money on thier favorite artists and in help to artificially create 'Christian community' at least from a marketing point of view.  But I truly believe that our music would be more effective and reach more people if it were sold right alongside its mainstream counterparts rather than being compartmentalized.  I would go further to say that "gospel music" should then be recognized as its own genre because tradional, southern, and quartet gospel have a uniqe sound of thier own.

[nessalynn77]

Do you think that by labeling music as "Christian" or "Gospel" that we may be putting ourselves into a box and limiting the impact that our music can have?  Why can't our music be out there on the shelves along with the latest mainstream hip-hop, r&b, and rock?  If our music was labeled according to style, I think that it would open a door for people to check out artists that they would have otherwise passed over in the small section labeled "Christain" or "Gospel".  These labels will draw Christians to spend thier money on thier favorite artists and in help to artificially create 'Christian community' at least from a marketing point of view.  But I truly believe that our music would be more effective and reach more people if it were sold right alongside its mainstream counterparts rather than being compartmentalized.  I would go further to say that "gospel music" should then be recognized as its own genre because tradional, southern, and quartet gospel have a uniqe sound of thier own.

I'm not sure if I got your suggestion correct.  But having a classified gospel section works for me, because I don't want to wade through everything else to try to determine what's gospel and what's not.  It's hard enough to tell with some artists that are classified as gospel

[vtguy84]

  These labels will draw Christians to spend thier money on thier favorite artists and in help to artificially create 'Christian community' at least from a marketing point of view. 

Artificially create¿  Interesting.....

I understand your thinking behind this, however Nessa has a very good point behind it.....you will lose more of your Christiian base rather than gain people into 'artificially' supporting your ministry

[alexanderhowze]

Do you think that by labeling music as "Christian" or "Gospel" that we may be putting ourselves into a box and limiting the impact that our music can have?  Why can't our music be out there on the shelves along with the latest mainstream hip-hop, r&b, and rock?  If our music was labeled according to style, I think that it would open a door for people to check out artists that they would have otherwise passed over in the small section labeled "Christain" or "Gospel".  These labels will draw Christians to spend thier money on thier favorite artists and in help to artificially create 'Christian community' at least from a marketing point of view.  But I truly believe that our music would be more effective and reach more people if it were sold right alongside its mainstream counterparts rather than being compartmentalized.  I would go further to say that "gospel music" should then be recognized as its own genre because tradional, southern, and quartet gospel have a uniqe sound of thier own.

Actually Gospel means good news.  Gospel music today covers all generes and styles

[acts2-38]

I might be wrong but what I think what Funk is trying to say is that regardless of what the words say, or the message is, music is music. and that the only style of music that is categorized by it's message as opposed to it's style is Gospel or Christian. For example, If you go to the music store you'll find CD's under Rock, Rap, R and B, Alternative and so on. Lets take the rap section.....you wont find in the rap section any CD's sorted by Gangsta rap here, Happy (will smith type) rap over there and Conscience rap next to that. All styles of rap except gospel will be alphabetized in the same section. Get it?

I for one am not upset that our music is in a separate section. I guess its like sticking the bibles in the same section as the Source magazines, yeah you read them both but naaaaw, it just dont look right.

[Loopy]

I'm not sure if I got your suggestion correct.  But having a classified gospel section works for me, because I don't want to wade through everything else to try to determine what's gospel and what's not.  It's hard enough to tell with some artists that are classified as gospel

I agree totally with you, Ness!!!!!!!!!

[KurzLand]

In wal-mart i saw Kirk Franklin's cd in the "best-sellers" rack. His cd was actually in the middle of the other non-christian cd's. Even though it's christian people still put it in the "best-sellers" rack.