From: mjenkins@alfred.carleton.ca (Michael Jenkinson)
Subject: Re: Accountability in CCM
Organization: Carleton University
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 17:58:34 GMT

In <1992Sep1.165604.22628@ccd.harris.com> ras@controls.ccd.harris.com (Russell Soule) writes:


>In article <mjenkins.715288177@cunews>, mjenkins@alfred.carleton.ca (Michael Jenkinson) writes:
>|> 
>|> >Okay, so what should be done when it's the record label itself who is doing
>|> >the sinning? I have heard that Word is actually a pretty money hungry bunch
>|> >of people. That is why they sold out to Epic records. A friend of mine now
>|> >looks very closely at what label an artist records under before he considers
>|> >purchasing an album from that artist.
>|> 
>|> OK...one thing at a time here.
>|> 
>|> First of all, you *have heard* that Word is money hungry. From that
>|> you make the blanket statement, "That is why they sold out to Epic
>|> records." 
>|> 
>|> A couple of points here (and please, correct me if I'm wrong) but it
>|> sounds like you are merely repeating something a friend told you (Word
>|> is money hungry) and came to the conclusion that that is the reason
>|> they sold to Epic. You don't know either of those to be fact, merely
>|> your opinion.

>You are correct in that what I posted was something I heard from a friend.
>I apologize for offending anyone with my blanket statements, which were
>unfair and unfounded. The point I was trying to make was a response to a
>post that said the record company should hold their Christian artists
>accountable for their actions. I guess I should have just asked, "Who
>is going to hold the record company accountable for their actions?" Of
>course, we are all accountable to God in the end, so all this only matters
>while we are here.

>Again, I apologize for offending anyone. I'll be more careful next time.

No problem. In re-reading my post, I think I may have come on a bit
strong, so I apologize too.

Your point is incredibly valid, though. Record companies are still
accountable to God for their actions. I think the problem lies when
the "business" aspect of the company and the "ministry" aspect of the
music overlap...which is unfortunate, because in a truly God-centred
business, (my opinion forthcoming, not necessarily theologically
correct) the business aspect and ministry aspect should gel and work
in sync. If one gets out of sync with the other...then something is
wrong.

Its something I struggle with. Looking through my CCM today, I was
struck by how many ads show beautiful girls with perfect hair, and an
expensive wardrobe, and perfect lipstick, promoting their new albums.
It makes me wonder, are their any, uhh, unattractive people in
Christian music today? So many new artists seem to be signed for their
"marketability." They gotta be cute, perky, and thin (in the case of
women) and rugged, long-haired and leather, or perfect, short-haired
and pure, in the case of men.

I'm fully admitting I'm accusing without knowing motives...but it is
really necessary for Kim Boyce to bleach her hair blonde? (Besides the
fact it looks gross!)

I dunno....this whole marketing thing bugs me (obviously), but it IS a
business, after all. At least, that's what I said yesterday to you!


>|> Second big point: I don't agree with your friend who looks at the
>|> record label first before buying an album. To quote Steve Taylor, that
>|> is "Guilty by Association."

>This was the same friend as above.

I realized it was a friend, but seeing as he didn't write, and you
did...I had to reply to someone! :)


>Thank you Michael.

>Russ


No sweat, brother. This is how we learn. I myself have gotten some
gentle e-mail chiding for my inflammatory comments re: mike warnke and
Word.

Mike

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