During the conference, Dorothy met one of my mentors, Ray Ware. Ray was a part of a panel of managers whom I had invited to share about management and when and why an indie artist would need management. Ray is no start up manager, Ray has been a part of the Christian music industry for years, and has managed Phil Keaggy, Bryan Duncan, Bob Carlisle (Butterfly Kisses), and Randy Stonehill.

Dorothy approached Ray at the conference and the rest as we shall say, is His Story! Dorothy and Ray started down the road to launching her music mission. Ray connected Dorothy to professionals who would pen songs for her debut CD, produce her music, create her branding, design her CD art, design her website, help her find live performance/ministry opportunities, publicize her news, create her promotional materials, and on and on!

Check out Dorothy’s EPK, it is excellent!

I am so proud of Dorothy for her commitment to passion and excellence! I am happy Dorothy connected with Ray and that God is blessing the momentum they created! I look forward to seeing what God, Dorothy and Ray do in the future!

Here’s a pic of myself, Dorothy, and Ray at her CD Release party, held in Franklin, TN on March 30, 2010.

let’s be independent… together!
keith mohr
president
indieheaven- [ artist profile | distribution ]
broken records- [ artist label ]
indie impact [ promotion | radio | booking | showcase ]
indie university [ education | articles | videos | conference ]
mohr management- [ artist management ]
————————————————–
Check out our other sites
inspiresong – [ songwriter resources | retreat | contest ]
ih news – [ indie news ]
————————————————–
networking sites
Be My Friend on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter!
Be a Fan on Facebook!

Most of these artists should spend less time telling the world how good they are, and actually get good.

In the old days, before the www, artists won fans over by their live performances.
This has not changed, although the www has given the illusion that artists can skip the “paying your dues” process. Many artists mistakenly assume by producing content it means people will automatically engage, even if the content is mediocre. This is not true, it pushes people away.

Artists need to be serving their local communities, whether it be in a church, or elsewhere. Artists need to build a strong local following, and then branch out from there. I see artists trying to do this from the outside in, and it does not work. It MUST happen from the inside out. Inside being the inner core rings of influence.

My advice:
Spend less time frittering your time away online with shameless self promotion, and spend more time writing songs, practicing your craft, and learning the Word and how to communicate effectively (if you want to be a minister). And please stop tweeting about things that have nothing to do with your artistry. No one cares what you are eating, or doing if it is not directly associated with your music mission.
Keep up the Excellent Faith-Work!
let’s be independent… together!
keith mohr
president
indieheaven- [ artist profile | distribution ]
broken records- [ artist label ]
indie impact [ promotion | radio | booking | showcase ]
indie university [ education | articles | videos | conference ]
mohr management- [ artist management ]
————————————————–
Check out our other sites
inspiresong – [ songwriter resources | retreat | contest ]
ih news – [ indie news ]
————————————————–
networking sites
Be My Friend on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter!
Be a Fan on Facebook!

I read in the last issue, Christian Musician Magazine’s own Bruce Adolph is celebrating his 15th year in publishing. Congrats Bruce! That in itself is an amazing feat of extremely hard work and hard faith. These days, many print magazines are no longer being printed, some are available online, or they have gone out of publication. I am amazed at Bruce and the dedication he has shown over the years in his mission, his commitment to Christian musicians, and his extraordinary people skills. Way to go, Bruce!

I first met Bruce back in 1996. I was working at a music store in Harrisburg, PA and picked up the phone, ready to sell a keyboard or pro audio item to the person on the other end of the line. However, on the other end this time was a salesman. “That’s what I am,” I thought to myself as I listened to him sell me on the benefits of taking out an ad in an event guide for a Christian music festival called, Creation Fest. Bruce was very good at selling ads, he has that way about him!

I was familiar with the festival, having attended it several years before. As Bruce was sharing about the ad, my wheels started turning. I thought to myself, “Hmm, I wonder who provides the music gear the bands use on stage at the Creation Festival?” After Bruce finished his sales pitch, I asked him that very question. I shared that if they needed any help, I could round up what they needed, drive a truck to the festival, and set it up.

So, Bruce being the connector he is, hooked me up with the founder and director of the festival, Tim Landis. I called Tim right away and asked him about their gear needs. It just so happened that the source they had been using in previous years could not provide everything the festival needed. Great, let me help! So, Tim gave me his list, I got prices, and got the gig! I rented a big Ryder truck the day before the festival, loaded up the gear, and drove the few hours to Agape Farm.

After arriving at the festival, I met Bruce and we connected immediately. I made myself available to help Bruce at his booth, which made Bruce happy, because he was always super busy meeting people, schmoozing, and doing what Bruce does best, relationship building. Serving and building relationships are keys to blessings!

Ok, this story is getting long, but here is the cool point I want to share with you. Through meeting and serving Bruce way back in 1996, I met Charlie Peacock, who was in the next booth over from me promoting his “At The Crossroads” book, and whom I would have speak at one of my indie music conferences in Nashville 10 years later.

Little did I know the very next year, in 1997 I would get the call to again provide gear for Creation Festival, and that the festival would be moved to Hershey Park, PA because of flooding at the Agape Farm. Little did I know I would run into a representative for Tascam, Doug Gould, whom I had first met while working at another music store in Washington, DC 10 years earlier. Tascam provided recording gear to record the festival live. Another person I met that year at Creation Fest 1997 was Joe Battaglia, who asked me to mix down the live recordings. Little did I know those mixes would be used for a documentary shown on PBS called, “Message in the Music.”

Little did I know that at Creation Festival 1997 I would meet a studio owner who had a great studio I could work out of, so I did. I stayed there for 6 years, and took over the studio and ran it on my own after his business went flat.

Little did I know then that six years later, in 2003 I would make the move to Music City, Nashville, TN and start a new indie music organization called “Indieheaven,” hold successful music conferences, and see the entire CCM industry be turned upside down 6 years later, in 2009.

Little did I know in 1997 that Bruce would ask me to write a column for this very magazine, one that I am still writing for! Little did I know Bruce would start his own conferences and ask me to teach at the main conference in Redmond, WA the past 4 years. Little did I know in 2010 I will be teaching at all of his CMS conferences!

Through that one seemingly insignificant phone call, taken in a small music store, would I find myself still enjoying the fruit from the tree, planted from the seed, I call “Bruce Adolph.” I could go on and on and on about relationship seeds in my life that have sprouted, taken root, and grown into a vibrant tree full of fruit. Fruit that has not only fed myself, but others. That is how you can tell fruit is good, by how many it feeds. The more it feeds, the better the fruit.

I can also share about seeds I have neglected, that may or may not have been planted, may not have taken root in fertile soil, that may not have been tended to during the sapling time. That may have been forgotten about when fruit appeared and not harvested. Fruit that withered on the vine and were eaten by birds. I wonder now what might have transpired had I cultivated those relationships?

Relationships are a lot like seeds, and produce fruit if we tend to them, nurture them, and even prune them from time to time. I encourage you to be open to planting seeds of relationship, and tend to those that have already sprouted. Do not forsake the most important relationship, which is with Christ Jesus in the center, and then the relationship with your family, and then people you know and who know you. I learned that lesson as well, there are rings of relationships, much like a bullseye. Concentrate on the innermost rings and do not neglect them.

You will find that God uses relationships to create His-Story, and Your-Story. Your story becomes part of history! The more relationships you create and cultivate, the more that happens in your life and mission. I have seen this first hand! So, what are you waiting for? Can you relate?
Keep up the excellent faith-work!
let’s be independent… together!
keith mohr
president
indieheaven- [ artist profile | distribution ]
broken records- [ artist label ]
indie impact [ promotion | radio | booking | showcase ]
indie university [ education | articles | videos | conference ]
mohr management- [ artist management ]
————————————————–
Check out our other sites
inspiresong – [ songwriter resources | retreat | contest ]
ih news – [ indie news ]
————————————————–
networking sites
Be My Friend on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter!
Be a Fan on Facebook!

Show #1- Original Air Date: 9/14/2009 7:00 PM
Top 10 Critical Issues for Christian Independent Artists
On this show Keith Mohr shared thoughts on the Top 10 most critical issues for Christian Independent Artists who are on a mission from God to share their music and message with the masses.

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show1.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show2.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show3.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show4.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show5.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show6.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show7.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show8.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show9.mp3

You can also download it by right clicking this link and selecting “save as”.
http://www.indieuniversity.com/mp3/cias/show10.mp3

let’s be independent… together!
keith mohr
president
indieheaven- [ artist profile | distribution ]
broken records- [ artist label ]
indie impact [ promotion | radio | booking | showcase ]
indie university [ education | articles | videos | conference ]
mohr management- [ artist management ]
————————————————–
Check out our other sites
inspiresong – [ songwriter resources | retreat | contest ]
ih news – [ indie news ]
————————————————–
networking sites
Be My Friend on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter!
Be a Fan on Facebook!

I encourage all who read this to create your bulls-eye and determine who falls into what ring. Here’s why.. I have been sharing with one of our Indieheaven members the importance of influencing the innermost core and how to balance it with trying to influence people in the universe. As good a tool the internet is, it has provided an incredible vehicle for artists types who tend to have a “visions of grandeur” M.O. to invest a large portion of their time trying to impact the universe and gain “friends.” This has proven to be a time wasting venus trap to artists as they neglect those in their inner core. It goes along with the “bigger is better” mindset artistic types have, when in reality, better is better.

I shared this information with our member, I will refine this as I have time, but you should get the concept of influencing your core and rings of influence.

“It is important to act local, but think global. God can do whatever God wants to do with us, but I am a firm believer that it is up to us to create the momentum that He then takes and multiplies. I am glad you are impacting your community! This is also wise, because as you impact and enrich those who are in your inner core and inner ring of influence, they then share about you to their inner cores, and it spreads out like ripples on a pond. Imagine throwing a handful of rocks into a pond and seeing the ripples of influence emanating from each stone. The key is that each of the stones in your hand must be inner core relationships. The greater the influence you have in your inner core relationships, the larger the stones and the larger the ripples.”

I also shared this, after they lamented that it is difficult to get people to engage and comprehend their mision.

“I understand where you are coming from, but it is what it is. I still run into this every single day, and I have been hammering away at my mission non-stop 80 hours per week at least since 1997.

We’re always going to run into credibility issues with people. People simply are very closed minded to new things. It is our job to win them over. To convert them into our kingdom, so to speak. And that happens by word of mouth. Look at the way Indieheaven has grown. I do not go out and approach artists who are outside my core of influence and try to convince them to join Indieheaven. I wait until they come to us, and then… then they are in our outermost ring of influence. They come to us because our inner core has told them about us and shared that we are a valuable resource, or because we treat people with respect, etc.. Whatever the reason be, it is through word of mouth that people come to us. When they come to us, I spring into action.

You need to do the same thing. Look at the relationships in your life and determine who fits into what ring. It is a great exercise to do regardless. Then, figure out ways to impact those inner core people. Then, radiate out from there. This is also biblical. Look at how the disciples spread the gospel message. They started in the town their leader was killed in.. where people knew what had happened. They passionately and excellently shared the message, and people were converted. They then radiated out from there. That is how it spread. As time went on, the messengers used the technology of the times to share the Gospel message. We must use the technology available to us to spread our message, which really is the Gospel message, just delivered in our own special way because of our content.

Same goes for our missions. We start with those who know us, we focus on them. We do however, have this incredible tool called the internet, which allows us to get our content into a worldwide medium. We cant neglect that, but we should not focus on that. I would say 75% inner core, 25% out side your cores would be a good ratio of where you place your focus.”

Get started on doing your mission better, and the bigger will come!

Let’s Be Independent… together!
keith mohr

One thing I have noticed is that all indies, regardless of their level are looking for something. It could be money, could be opportunity, exposure, bookings, radio airplay, you name it..

My question to you is what do YOU need in your music mission? Share with me your needs, I want to know how best to serve independent artists.

I’ll pick one responder to this post who will receive a free 1 year membership on my Indieheaven.com site. Thats a $240 value! And a FREE 1 year subscription to Christian Musician Magazine. Not too shabby! And, I’ll call you and talk with you about your music mission and see how I can help you!

All you need to do is leave a thoughtful and detailed comment to this post, make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you. Thanks for sharing your heart and needs with me!

Let’s Be Independent… together!
keith mohr

Music piracy has also affected the Christian music industry hard, as millions of dollars of music have essentially been stolen via illegal downloading from file sharing sites. What perplexes many in the CCM industry is that this is being carried out by Christians who think nothing of violating the law in order to enjoy their favorite song. This has led to an erosion in all facets of the Christian music industry as recording and marketing budgets have dried up, artist development is no longer prevalent, and the signing of up and coming artists has all but ceased. In addition, artists have discovered they no longer need record labels to record their music and reach their fans. It spells financial disaster and a drastic change in the music business. Many industry personnel in Nashville, TN have been asking one another who will save Christian music. The bottom line is this, the Christian music industry needs a miracle to continue to exist in its current form.

I asked some people over on my Facebook profile what they thought of the Christian music industry and who will save it. Here are some responses:

“Perhaps there is a need for folks to stop trying to write “Christian Music”, and focus more on being “Musicians who are Christian”. Far too much CM these days sounds so contrived and plastic. If you are a Christian, you know the truth, that should come out naturally in everything you create, without it being trite. It’s the only genre of music categorized by it’s lyrics, and 90% of the time, I can tell you exactly what a certain band will sound like…it’s become way too formulaic. Get back to the music, create awesome, original and challenging music. Other wise you might as well just do poetry recitals.”

“Whatever the secular music industry finds successful, is inevitably going to make it’s way into the CM industry. If your sound is the one that fits the mold of what folks are buying these days, you’re in like Flint.”

“The whole format needs to be redefined and is in dire need of an overhaul. Nashville continues to release unexciting and underproduced material, “contemporary Christian?”, and many “Gospel” artists sound 30 years behind the times. Why are they two separate genres? Isn’t the subject matter the same? Shouldn’t “Christian artist” be a calling first and a profession second?”

“The Gospel music business has become nothing more than a business with many people involved in it. I am sick of hearing the same type of music on the radio over and over. There are too many Christian stations who play our music and don’t have to pay royalties, making it almost impossible for the indie artist to survive.”

“The real question is what is christian music. I believe God is in everything. Its not my job as a christian or musician to bring the gospel to someone but to enlighten them to the fact that God is already there. So therefore if God is in everything than cant we call every type of music christian music?”

“I heard it once said by a so-called professional that we as Christian songwriters needed to keep it simple and not go deep. This opposite Jesus in so many ways. I’m still trying to figure out everything He said and as He said, “Knock (and keep on knocking) and the door will be opened to you”. Truth is not so simple all the time. Perhaps we need messages that make people think instead of so much fluff.”

“Saved or re-invented? We need more pioneering artists (i.e. truly INDEPENENTS) who are willing to break the mold musically and lyrically, say something that’s actually truly profound and speaks the world’s language, a “new” song. The question is also, “Do the listeners have ‘ears to hear’ something that’s out of the box?” It’s tough to retrain entire demographics of listeners.”

“Imho, the first step toward healing is realizing there is a problem. Christian music as an industry won’t be “saved from itself” til it realizes it needs to be. It seems like many can easily confuse the gift with the call. As an artist, it is very easy for me to become very gift focused and lose sight of the call, which is to glorify God, and touch lives. When your focus is on marketing and profits, the mission gets compromised. Don’t get me wrong, there is a stewardship requirement, and the workman is worthy of his hire, but when self perpetuation and $$$ rise from second to first, the priorities are askew. I can’t speak with authority on this, but I have heard that the business model is very similar to the secular music indusrtry business model, and that in fact many Christian lables are now subsidaries of secular labels. It may be that like the Laodaceans, the industry doesn’t see thier true circumstance through the trappings of “success.” You can’t serve 2 masters.”

“I think what might save Christian music is a shift in the Christian socially conscience paradigm and that may have to occur necessarily through something earthshaking enough to shake us out of our comfort zones. I believe there is coming soon an earthshaking economic condition (worse than today) whereby it will force us to rethink many things.”

As you can see, people are passionate about this topic. There were many more responses to this question. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out the next twelve to 18 months. In any regard, let us be in prayer for the people involved in the Christian music industry, from executives at the labels, to the artists who are signed to labels, and the many thousands of independent artists who are looking to the industry as their future source of exposure, opportunity, and credibility.

Let’s Be Independent… together!
keith mohr