Copyright © 2010 by David C. Coleman
If you are an independent artist trying to go it alone you are not only an artist. You are, by proxy, a label as well. On the new musical frontier, the opportunities are certainly greater. But so are the responsibilities. Risk vs. reward becomes a key element in the equation for success. As things continue to trend in favor of independent acts, reality reveals that you must learn to function as a label in order to break through. You must be willing and able to build a team of competent people around you who can carry out certain essential tasks...or be willing and able to do it yourself. Labels exist for a reason – primarily to provide knowledge and financial resources. That's what sets them apart. Regardless of the delivery method for music, though, exposure (and a good song, of course) will always remain the fundamental building block upon which your success will rest. Therefore, building customer awareness is crucial.
Also, remember that distribution and label activities are different and distinct. There are a very limited number of things distribution can do to generate interest...virtually none of which are aimed at the music-buying public. An inordinately large percentage of the digital tracks available to the public are never purchased even once. And physically, placement on store shelves is only half the battle. The cold, hard fact is that bringing product TO the public doesn't generate sales. Distribution, whether physical or digital, can only rise to a level directly proportionate to the marketing plan (and corresponding budget) available through the artist/label. It will typically require some sort of financial investment to begin any marketing campaign. From touring to hiring a publicist - it all costs money. As you can see, it all boils down to exposure and your ability to create demand. Distribution without consumer awareness is like a car without gas – you’re not going to get very far. So what are you doing to create awareness? Developing a structured game plan will help you get a leg up on the competition.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tip of the Day - The Downside of TuneCore
Copyright © 2010 by David C. Coleman
Considering the fact that my company deals exclusively with independent artists and labels, we tend to hear about all the “latest and greatest” opportunities available for artists/labels to market, promote and sell their music. TuneCore burst onto the scene with what, at first glance, appears to be an incredible offer: the artist/label gets to keep 100% of the revenue received from digital retail sales. This, of course, is great news for artists/labels that have a solid following and are able to generate sales on their own behalf. But there is definitely a downside to the TuneCore model (there’s always a downside, right?).
An in-depth study of the digital retail phenomenon recently discovered that approximately 85% (correction - 77% is the accurate figure) of the content available on digital retail sites is NEVER purchased – not even once! This is a very alarming discovery for all the do-it-yourselfers out there. Considering the nature of the TuneCore model, the initial set-up fees and annual “maintenance and service” fee can cost more than many artists accumulate in a full year's worth of sales. For instance, the initial set-up fee for an album containing 12 tracks delivered to 16 separate stores (iTunes, Napster, etc.) would cost $47.70. Boosting the track count on an album up to 20 tracks delivered to those same 16 stores would cost $55.62. Each year thereafter, a recurring $19.98 charge is assessed to “store” the content in the TuneCore database. As you can see, this can become quite cost-intensive, particularly as the law of diminishing returns begins to affect the sales of an album. Over the course of time, an album will typically begin to generate fewer and fewer sales per month. The various international iTunes stores are all counted separately so if you wish to deliver content to the domestic and five additional international iTunes destinations (Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.), you'll pay $5.94 to deliver content to the 6 separate iTunes destinations.
CLG/JesusWired deals with many digitally distributed titles. Some sell very well but, honestly, a good portion of the titles never accumulate $19.98 in sales for an entire year, let alone the approximate $50 necessary to list a title through TuneCore for the first year. So, as you can see, the TuneCore model can actually be an expense rather than a source of income for artists/labels that aren’t generating a respectable amount of sales. Once the model is dissected, it is a little less attractive than the tagline “get 100% of the royalties” might suggest. Nothing is ever free but the air we breathe! Effective marketing can often disguise the true nature of an opportunity. For those just starting out, a risk-free digital distributor is a safer bet. Besides, TuneCore and virtually every other digital distributor do nothing to address the issue of marketing your title to the various sites.
Considering the fact that my company deals exclusively with independent artists and labels, we tend to hear about all the “latest and greatest” opportunities available for artists/labels to market, promote and sell their music. TuneCore burst onto the scene with what, at first glance, appears to be an incredible offer: the artist/label gets to keep 100% of the revenue received from digital retail sales. This, of course, is great news for artists/labels that have a solid following and are able to generate sales on their own behalf. But there is definitely a downside to the TuneCore model (there’s always a downside, right?).
An in-depth study of the digital retail phenomenon recently discovered that approximately 85% (correction - 77% is the accurate figure) of the content available on digital retail sites is NEVER purchased – not even once! This is a very alarming discovery for all the do-it-yourselfers out there. Considering the nature of the TuneCore model, the initial set-up fees and annual “maintenance and service” fee can cost more than many artists accumulate in a full year's worth of sales. For instance, the initial set-up fee for an album containing 12 tracks delivered to 16 separate stores (iTunes, Napster, etc.) would cost $47.70. Boosting the track count on an album up to 20 tracks delivered to those same 16 stores would cost $55.62. Each year thereafter, a recurring $19.98 charge is assessed to “store” the content in the TuneCore database. As you can see, this can become quite cost-intensive, particularly as the law of diminishing returns begins to affect the sales of an album. Over the course of time, an album will typically begin to generate fewer and fewer sales per month. The various international iTunes stores are all counted separately so if you wish to deliver content to the domestic and five additional international iTunes destinations (Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.), you'll pay $5.94 to deliver content to the 6 separate iTunes destinations.
CLG/JesusWired deals with many digitally distributed titles. Some sell very well but, honestly, a good portion of the titles never accumulate $19.98 in sales for an entire year, let alone the approximate $50 necessary to list a title through TuneCore for the first year. So, as you can see, the TuneCore model can actually be an expense rather than a source of income for artists/labels that aren’t generating a respectable amount of sales. Once the model is dissected, it is a little less attractive than the tagline “get 100% of the royalties” might suggest. Nothing is ever free but the air we breathe! Effective marketing can often disguise the true nature of an opportunity. For those just starting out, a risk-free digital distributor is a safer bet. Besides, TuneCore and virtually every other digital distributor do nothing to address the issue of marketing your title to the various sites.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tip of the Day - Generating Music Sales
Copyright © 2010 by David C. Coleman
If you have music to sell you are in business – like it or not. The old adage, “it takes money to make money” holds true for the music business as well. You can always travel the pathway of the guerrilla marketer – hustling your music to every social networking site on the planet, but that is a long and winding road. When it comes to generating music sales, marketing is the key. Great music, professional packaging and sheer genius are only part of the equation. Exposure is king! Nothing can take the place of hiring a competent team of professionals to handle the various label-oriented tasks that are a part of any successful marketing campaign. I've met artists with great music who never succeeded because their music never made it to the ears of the music-buying public. I've also seen some pretty mediocre artists do very well because their music found life beyond the four walls of their bedrooms. The methods for reaching your target audience are in transition, but one thing remains true – a team of competent professionals can help you reach your goal much quicker. When considering an album release, plan to spend 3-4 times as much marketing the product as you spent recording it. Plan ahead. Seek out professionals with proven track records of creating success for other artists and hire them to take up your cause. If you did your homework and found legitimate professionals to partner with, you'll be glad you did.
If you have music to sell you are in business – like it or not. The old adage, “it takes money to make money” holds true for the music business as well. You can always travel the pathway of the guerrilla marketer – hustling your music to every social networking site on the planet, but that is a long and winding road. When it comes to generating music sales, marketing is the key. Great music, professional packaging and sheer genius are only part of the equation. Exposure is king! Nothing can take the place of hiring a competent team of professionals to handle the various label-oriented tasks that are a part of any successful marketing campaign. I've met artists with great music who never succeeded because their music never made it to the ears of the music-buying public. I've also seen some pretty mediocre artists do very well because their music found life beyond the four walls of their bedrooms. The methods for reaching your target audience are in transition, but one thing remains true – a team of competent professionals can help you reach your goal much quicker. When considering an album release, plan to spend 3-4 times as much marketing the product as you spent recording it. Plan ahead. Seek out professionals with proven track records of creating success for other artists and hire them to take up your cause. If you did your homework and found legitimate professionals to partner with, you'll be glad you did.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tip of the Day - Planning Is Free!
Copyright © 2010 by David C. Coleman
When it comes to releasing a CD project, planning out all aspects of the release is essential. Most independent artists begin the creation process with only one thought in mind – recording the project. They believe the artwork and many other creative/practical aspects of the project are less relevant and can be placed on the back burner until much later in the process. They tend to view those elements as an afterthought. If you seek to move beyond warehousing 1,000 CD's in your garage, you’ll want to think ahead and identify the various tasks which will allow you to actually create a buzz and sell music. Let’s be honest, with all the hype about the digital retail option killing CD sales, the CD is still the predominate vehicle for delivering music to the consumer. Beyond that, concentrating on a digital-only sales perspective is a sure-fire method of surrendering at least half of the potential sales opportunities available to you. An extensive study uncovered the fact that 85% of the tracks available for sale on the digital retail sites are never purchased – NOT EVEN ONCE! That’s a pretty alarming statistic. Even if you are turning sales on digital retail sites, you’re likely bringing in a very small amount of income from the process. At $.50 to $.60 a pop, the sale of a hundred singles barely fills your gas tank. What’s more, you typically can’t sell a digital album or single at a live show.
Selling CDs at shows is definitely a good source of income, so you’ll want to have all aspects of your project ready to send to the manufacturing plant when you receive the mastered CD back from the mastering facility. By doing so, you’ll ensure that you have product in hand to sell as soon as possible. If you’re looking to operate at a higher level, virtually any wholesaler or retailer you may approach will have some sort of schedule by which they conduct business (particularly distribution and retail chain stores). To meet the demands of their schedules, you might need to have certain elements locked in up to six months prior to the date you wish to release the CD. So the message is this – start thinking about all aspects of your project from the very beginning. Don’t leave anything to chance. Artwork, packaging, distribution, etc. are not things you can afford to put off until after you’ve finished recording. Music is a business as well as an art. To truly break through in an ever-increasingly indie-friendly yet competitive world, you’ll need to be able to step up to the plate with some knowledge and, often, some cash in hand. But one thing remains true – planning is free. You don’t have to invest anything but a bit of time and effort to develop a complete vision for the project by setting an agenda based on deadlines and due dates. In an Indie world, the risks are greater and the work harder, but the potential rewards are greater as well.
When it comes to releasing a CD project, planning out all aspects of the release is essential. Most independent artists begin the creation process with only one thought in mind – recording the project. They believe the artwork and many other creative/practical aspects of the project are less relevant and can be placed on the back burner until much later in the process. They tend to view those elements as an afterthought. If you seek to move beyond warehousing 1,000 CD's in your garage, you’ll want to think ahead and identify the various tasks which will allow you to actually create a buzz and sell music. Let’s be honest, with all the hype about the digital retail option killing CD sales, the CD is still the predominate vehicle for delivering music to the consumer. Beyond that, concentrating on a digital-only sales perspective is a sure-fire method of surrendering at least half of the potential sales opportunities available to you. An extensive study uncovered the fact that 85% of the tracks available for sale on the digital retail sites are never purchased – NOT EVEN ONCE! That’s a pretty alarming statistic. Even if you are turning sales on digital retail sites, you’re likely bringing in a very small amount of income from the process. At $.50 to $.60 a pop, the sale of a hundred singles barely fills your gas tank. What’s more, you typically can’t sell a digital album or single at a live show.
Selling CDs at shows is definitely a good source of income, so you’ll want to have all aspects of your project ready to send to the manufacturing plant when you receive the mastered CD back from the mastering facility. By doing so, you’ll ensure that you have product in hand to sell as soon as possible. If you’re looking to operate at a higher level, virtually any wholesaler or retailer you may approach will have some sort of schedule by which they conduct business (particularly distribution and retail chain stores). To meet the demands of their schedules, you might need to have certain elements locked in up to six months prior to the date you wish to release the CD. So the message is this – start thinking about all aspects of your project from the very beginning. Don’t leave anything to chance. Artwork, packaging, distribution, etc. are not things you can afford to put off until after you’ve finished recording. Music is a business as well as an art. To truly break through in an ever-increasingly indie-friendly yet competitive world, you’ll need to be able to step up to the plate with some knowledge and, often, some cash in hand. But one thing remains true – planning is free. You don’t have to invest anything but a bit of time and effort to develop a complete vision for the project by setting an agenda based on deadlines and due dates. In an Indie world, the risks are greater and the work harder, but the potential rewards are greater as well.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Daily Feast Devotional - By His Stripes
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
"By His Stripes"
by David C. Coleman
"But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Christ took the punishment for all the wicked things you and I have ever done. He died for the sins of the world. The way to benefit from that sacrifice is to acknowledge the sacrifice and accept the fruit of it (which is spiritual FREEDOM). If I could go back, would I choose to live my life differently? For sure. But all I can do now is seek to get right with God by confronting my sinful nature, turning away from improper thoughts and actions, and moving forward into the fullness of life. The truth is, Christ ALREADY forgave every sin we have ever committed or ever will commit in the future. It was complete upon His death. The forgiveness is there just waiting for us to receive. All we need to do is simply receive it. We don't need to dwell on our past. We don't need to steep ourselves in our transgressions. We don't need to say 100 Hail Marys. All we need to do is press into God and receive forgiveness and healing. The bible says, "abide in Me and I will abide in you." (John 15:4) More simply, "remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
Father God, I repent of my wicked ways. I realize I have fallen short beyond measure, for holiness is the standard by which I am measured. I realize the only way to receive forgiveness is through a sin sacrifice. In your son Jesus Christ, you have provided just that - an unblemished, blameless and holy sacrifice surrendered in my place. He endured unimaginable pain so that I wouldn't have to. So I ask that you fill me with your Holy Spirit. Remove the things in me that don't belong and fill me with righteousness. Build me into the person you want me to be. I choose to receive the forgiveness that has been waiting there all along. I choose to turn away from the things that have been holding me back. I will forever be your humble servant. In the name above all other names - Jesus Christ - amen!
"By His Stripes"
by David C. Coleman
"But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Christ took the punishment for all the wicked things you and I have ever done. He died for the sins of the world. The way to benefit from that sacrifice is to acknowledge the sacrifice and accept the fruit of it (which is spiritual FREEDOM). If I could go back, would I choose to live my life differently? For sure. But all I can do now is seek to get right with God by confronting my sinful nature, turning away from improper thoughts and actions, and moving forward into the fullness of life. The truth is, Christ ALREADY forgave every sin we have ever committed or ever will commit in the future. It was complete upon His death. The forgiveness is there just waiting for us to receive. All we need to do is simply receive it. We don't need to dwell on our past. We don't need to steep ourselves in our transgressions. We don't need to say 100 Hail Marys. All we need to do is press into God and receive forgiveness and healing. The bible says, "abide in Me and I will abide in you." (John 15:4) More simply, "remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
Father God, I repent of my wicked ways. I realize I have fallen short beyond measure, for holiness is the standard by which I am measured. I realize the only way to receive forgiveness is through a sin sacrifice. In your son Jesus Christ, you have provided just that - an unblemished, blameless and holy sacrifice surrendered in my place. He endured unimaginable pain so that I wouldn't have to. So I ask that you fill me with your Holy Spirit. Remove the things in me that don't belong and fill me with righteousness. Build me into the person you want me to be. I choose to receive the forgiveness that has been waiting there all along. I choose to turn away from the things that have been holding me back. I will forever be your humble servant. In the name above all other names - Jesus Christ - amen!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Daily Feast Devotional - So Let's Not Get Tired
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
"So let’s not get tired..."
by David C. Coleman
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” - Galatians 6:9
Paul exhorts us not to grow weary in doing good. In Jeremiah Chapter 12 Verse 1, a similar sentiment is expressed: “why are the wicked so prosperous?” The right thing to do is most often the hardest thing to do. It takes courage and resolve to not fall prey to the ways of the world when you see others prospering from being dishonorable. But God has promised us a harvest of blessings if we remain true to His ways. In due time, we shall reap the harvest he has planned for us. Allow God to bring good things into your life rather than trying to plot, scheme and manipulate situations.
Dear Lord, I pray that you will give us the courage to stand firm in our faith in a fallen world. When others are prospering from being wicked, may we show that we are different because of your influence in our lives. May we bring honor to Your name. I pray against the forces of evil which try to seduce us into ungodly acts. We have the power to resist in Your name. It is in this name, Jesus Christ, that I pray these things. Amen.
"So let’s not get tired..."
by David C. Coleman
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” - Galatians 6:9
Paul exhorts us not to grow weary in doing good. In Jeremiah Chapter 12 Verse 1, a similar sentiment is expressed: “why are the wicked so prosperous?” The right thing to do is most often the hardest thing to do. It takes courage and resolve to not fall prey to the ways of the world when you see others prospering from being dishonorable. But God has promised us a harvest of blessings if we remain true to His ways. In due time, we shall reap the harvest he has planned for us. Allow God to bring good things into your life rather than trying to plot, scheme and manipulate situations.
Dear Lord, I pray that you will give us the courage to stand firm in our faith in a fallen world. When others are prospering from being wicked, may we show that we are different because of your influence in our lives. May we bring honor to Your name. I pray against the forces of evil which try to seduce us into ungodly acts. We have the power to resist in Your name. It is in this name, Jesus Christ, that I pray these things. Amen.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Daily Feast Devotional - Salt Is Good For Seasoning
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
“Salt Is Good For Seasoning”
by David C. Coleman
“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” - Mark 9:50
Have you ever heard the phrase “he isn’t worth his salt”? Salt, at one point in history, was one of the most coveted and precious substances on earth. Its value was extremely high. In fact, soldiers were once paid their wages in salt. The word “salary” is based on the latin word for salt. To “not be worth his or her salt” means a person has no value. Of course, salt is primarily used as a flavoring and to cure meat. The bible often uses salt metaphorically to illustrate that we, as Christians, should add flavor to this world by making a difference in the world around us rather than just keeping to ourselves and not speaking out on issues of the day. We are to stand up for God’s truths. In this way, we can also be used as a “preservative” for the world by keeping the world from morally decaying around us. Never has it been so evident that Christians must unite to hold back the surge of secularism in this country and around the world. Anti-Christian forces are relentless in their attack on Christian values and the concept of “black and white truth”. The world wants us to believe that truth is relative – that everyone has their own truth. But Jesus proclaimed “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father but by me”. It seems pretty clear that there is only ONE truth by which all mankind must live and die. Life truly is black and white. There is one last way in which salt is relevant to Christians. In Leviticus 2, Verse 13, it states “season all your grain offerings with salt to remind you of God’s eternal covenant.” God asks us to pick up our cross daily and offer our lives as a living sacrifice. If we offer ourselves to the Lord by sacrificing our salt (worth) to God, we will be opening ourselves up to the blessings and healing only God can provide. We must place our identity in Jesus Christ in order to achieve relevance in this world. Let’s choose today to be salty in a bland, flavorless world.
Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that we will continue to draw nearer to You. I pray that we will continue to offer up our whole being to You in order to be cleansed and purified. We know that You are our preservative. You keep us from being subject to eternal decay. We thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross. We acknowledge that we are unworthy in and of ourselves. It is only through You that we are redeemed. Give us the courage and the strength to be salt and light in a world destined for destruction. Cleanse our hearts so that we may be fully used by You. In Your glorious name we pray, Amen!
“Salt Is Good For Seasoning”
by David C. Coleman
“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” - Mark 9:50
Have you ever heard the phrase “he isn’t worth his salt”? Salt, at one point in history, was one of the most coveted and precious substances on earth. Its value was extremely high. In fact, soldiers were once paid their wages in salt. The word “salary” is based on the latin word for salt. To “not be worth his or her salt” means a person has no value. Of course, salt is primarily used as a flavoring and to cure meat. The bible often uses salt metaphorically to illustrate that we, as Christians, should add flavor to this world by making a difference in the world around us rather than just keeping to ourselves and not speaking out on issues of the day. We are to stand up for God’s truths. In this way, we can also be used as a “preservative” for the world by keeping the world from morally decaying around us. Never has it been so evident that Christians must unite to hold back the surge of secularism in this country and around the world. Anti-Christian forces are relentless in their attack on Christian values and the concept of “black and white truth”. The world wants us to believe that truth is relative – that everyone has their own truth. But Jesus proclaimed “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father but by me”. It seems pretty clear that there is only ONE truth by which all mankind must live and die. Life truly is black and white. There is one last way in which salt is relevant to Christians. In Leviticus 2, Verse 13, it states “season all your grain offerings with salt to remind you of God’s eternal covenant.” God asks us to pick up our cross daily and offer our lives as a living sacrifice. If we offer ourselves to the Lord by sacrificing our salt (worth) to God, we will be opening ourselves up to the blessings and healing only God can provide. We must place our identity in Jesus Christ in order to achieve relevance in this world. Let’s choose today to be salty in a bland, flavorless world.
Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that we will continue to draw nearer to You. I pray that we will continue to offer up our whole being to You in order to be cleansed and purified. We know that You are our preservative. You keep us from being subject to eternal decay. We thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross. We acknowledge that we are unworthy in and of ourselves. It is only through You that we are redeemed. Give us the courage and the strength to be salt and light in a world destined for destruction. Cleanse our hearts so that we may be fully used by You. In Your glorious name we pray, Amen!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Daily Feast Devotional - Blessed Is The Man Who Trusts
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord”
by David C. Coleman
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:5-8
We all experience trials and tribulations in our life. That’s just part of being human. The “mountain top” experiences are great…but the valleys can be daunting, to say the least. Many of us tend to doubt the Lord’s provisions when we’re faced with difficult circumstances. Our natural instinct is to “take things into our own hands”. But the Lord has promised that he will meet our needs. When we attempt to resolve issues in the flesh and fail to wait on the Lord, we can miss out on the incredible blessings God intends us to receive through faith. God has perfect timing. He’s never too early, and never too late. Let’s make it a point to “press into God” in the difficult times. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants to test our faith. He wants to see how we will react under pressure. A couple verses later, He states “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” If we remain faithful and put our trust in Him, He will bless us accordingly.
Dear Lord, I pray that you will bear these truths out in our lives. I pray that we will come to know the value of faith and how to exercise it more consistently in our lives. You are the one who opens doors no one can close, and closes doors no one can open. We must trust that You have our best interest in mind. There is a Divine Will for our lives. Be a light to our path, Lord. Show us the way you will have us go. May we learn to be right in step with your leading. Use us to bless others. Make our hearts pure. In the name of Christ Jesus I pray. Amen.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord”
by David C. Coleman
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:5-8
We all experience trials and tribulations in our life. That’s just part of being human. The “mountain top” experiences are great…but the valleys can be daunting, to say the least. Many of us tend to doubt the Lord’s provisions when we’re faced with difficult circumstances. Our natural instinct is to “take things into our own hands”. But the Lord has promised that he will meet our needs. When we attempt to resolve issues in the flesh and fail to wait on the Lord, we can miss out on the incredible blessings God intends us to receive through faith. God has perfect timing. He’s never too early, and never too late. Let’s make it a point to “press into God” in the difficult times. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants to test our faith. He wants to see how we will react under pressure. A couple verses later, He states “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” If we remain faithful and put our trust in Him, He will bless us accordingly.
Dear Lord, I pray that you will bear these truths out in our lives. I pray that we will come to know the value of faith and how to exercise it more consistently in our lives. You are the one who opens doors no one can close, and closes doors no one can open. We must trust that You have our best interest in mind. There is a Divine Will for our lives. Be a light to our path, Lord. Show us the way you will have us go. May we learn to be right in step with your leading. Use us to bless others. Make our hearts pure. In the name of Christ Jesus I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Christian Music New Releases - Week of December 1, 2009
This week's new releases:
Brooke Fraser - What To Do With Daylight [abridged]
UPC: 6-34457-51882-7
SRP: $8.99
Genre: Pop
Brooke Fraser is a verifiable superstar in Australia, New Zealand and, more recently, the U.S. Originally released in Australia and New Zealand in 2004 (and the precursor to the 2008 U.S. release of her second blockbuster solo effort entitled “Albertine” which yielded a Top 5 hit at Christian Radio with the single “Shadowfeet”), “What To Do With Daylight” was the initial impetus for Brooke’s burgeoning career and eventual worldwide success. Music lovers in the States often identify her as a member of the modern worship outfit Hillsong United, as she has penned some of their most beloved hymns including “Hosanna,” “Lead Me To The Cross” and “Lord of Lords.”
In anticipation of a brand-new solo album tentatively slated for the Summer of 2010, “What To Do With Daylight” is being released in the U.S. to reinforce the successes Brooke has experienced over the course of the last couple years. To date, the album has only been available as an import and, more recently, digitally. With the public demand at a high level for all things Brooke Fraser, this is a great catalog item which will prove to be an evergreen seller over the course of time.
Beckah Shae - Emmanuel
UPC: 8-59702-55712-7
SRP: $12.99
Genre: Christmas / Contemporary
Beckah Shae’s destiny was mirrored in a simple act at an early age. The little girl, who was already often called a songbird, was recorded singing, “Jesus Loves Me” at the age of 2. Beckah’s mother was raised in a traditional Jewish home, and her conversion to Christianity was a crucial element in guiding Beckah to her own faith and witness through music. Following several confirmations, Beckah heard the call of God to move to Nashville in 2002. It was there God revealed a bigger vision for the songbird. Little did she know, God was working to provide a musical and life-long marriage partner to help take her music to the next level. Beckah was introduced to Shoc, a rising young producer who had previously worked with Christian artists such as tobyMac, Group 1 Crew, and Lil’ iRocc Williams.
With two previous independent albums under their belt (“Butterfly” & “Joy”), the artist/producer team of Beckah and Shoc have created quite a stir in the Christian arena and have garnered attention from some true Christian industry heavyweights. Beckah was featured on Jonny Lang’s latest work “Turn Around” and has been tracking vocals for tobyMac’s upcoming release slated for February, 2010. Their latest effort, “Emmanuel”, is being released just in time for the Christmas season. Choc-full of classic Christmas songs celebrating “the reason for the season”, Beckah’s voice shines through brilliantly, and the production is clear, crisp and contemporary while still capturing the true essence of traditional Christ-centered holiday favorites. Many of the tracks are low-key, but Beckah finds plenty of opportunity to show her fun side on tunes like “Christmas Love” and “Most Beautiful Time of the Year”. In a musical landscape where many Christmas albums have only a few choice morsels to choose from, Beckah Shae provides a truly enjoyable Christmas album from start to finish.
Daily Feast Devotional - At That Time A Severe Famine Struck
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
"At that time a severe famine struck the land…"
by David C. Coleman
“At that time a sever famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner.” - Genesis 12:10
God had instructed Abram to leave his native country, his relatives, and everything he knew and go to the land of Canaan. God also promised to make Abram into a great nation. Abram followed the Lord’s leading and headed to this new, unfamiliar land. Once he got there, he built an altar to the Lord. It was at this time that famine struck. It was at this time that Abram’s faith was tested. Has God instructed you to pursue a particular pathway in your life? Has God made promises as to how He will use you to affect the world around you? We often receive word from the Lord to follow a certain path, but many times obstacles spring up to test our faith in God’s plan. It is at this point that we must decide to either believe the promises God has placed on our heart regardless of the circumstances, or to second-guess what God is doing. Notice that Abram traveled to Egypt (symbolic of “the world”) during this time of tribulation, but that he lived AS A FOREIGNER. He did not become an Egyptian, but rather remained true to who he was during the trials. He chose to remain apart from those in similar circumstance. Admittedly, I have been guilty of second-guessing God’s will for my life. I have been guilty of not believing the vision God has placed in my heart. But God is not a liar! We must continue to believe in the vision God has given us for our life. When the disciples failed to deliver a young boy from fits of seizures, they asked Jesus why they had not been able to accomplish the task. Jesus replied and said, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” If we can even muster a LITTLE faith, God can work miracles in and through us.
Lord Jesus, I pray today that we can learn to be more faithful to your work in our lives. There remain unfulfilled promises in our lives Lord. I pray that we will stand firm in knowing that You have given us these visions, and that You are working behind the scenes on our behalf. Give us the strength and courage to turn away from sin and purge unrighteousness from our lives. We can then be used in mighty ways to impact Your kingdom. Bless those in a mighty way who call You Lord and Master. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!
"At that time a severe famine struck the land…"
by David C. Coleman
“At that time a sever famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner.” - Genesis 12:10
God had instructed Abram to leave his native country, his relatives, and everything he knew and go to the land of Canaan. God also promised to make Abram into a great nation. Abram followed the Lord’s leading and headed to this new, unfamiliar land. Once he got there, he built an altar to the Lord. It was at this time that famine struck. It was at this time that Abram’s faith was tested. Has God instructed you to pursue a particular pathway in your life? Has God made promises as to how He will use you to affect the world around you? We often receive word from the Lord to follow a certain path, but many times obstacles spring up to test our faith in God’s plan. It is at this point that we must decide to either believe the promises God has placed on our heart regardless of the circumstances, or to second-guess what God is doing. Notice that Abram traveled to Egypt (symbolic of “the world”) during this time of tribulation, but that he lived AS A FOREIGNER. He did not become an Egyptian, but rather remained true to who he was during the trials. He chose to remain apart from those in similar circumstance. Admittedly, I have been guilty of second-guessing God’s will for my life. I have been guilty of not believing the vision God has placed in my heart. But God is not a liar! We must continue to believe in the vision God has given us for our life. When the disciples failed to deliver a young boy from fits of seizures, they asked Jesus why they had not been able to accomplish the task. Jesus replied and said, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” If we can even muster a LITTLE faith, God can work miracles in and through us.
Lord Jesus, I pray today that we can learn to be more faithful to your work in our lives. There remain unfulfilled promises in our lives Lord. I pray that we will stand firm in knowing that You have given us these visions, and that You are working behind the scenes on our behalf. Give us the strength and courage to turn away from sin and purge unrighteousness from our lives. We can then be used in mighty ways to impact Your kingdom. Bless those in a mighty way who call You Lord and Master. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!
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