Some deliberate “random” thoughts

I apologize for not being more active this week here, especially in a week where some bloggers had a piece of center stage in the gospel music world!:-)

I was considering a pair of topics to post on here...one had to do with something very inane I saw on a gospel music message board, but since there was no way I could express my thoughts about this without ridiculing the person who posted it, I've decided against posting about it. Unlike some bloggers, I don't need to bash someone else to give people a reason to read my blog.

That leaves the topic of the infamous "blogger summit" conducted this weekend, reportedly capped by a discussion between representatives of Crossroads Records, industry professionals, selected "insiders", and a few gospel music bloggers!

No, I wasn't invited...nor did I expect to be. Mine is not a blog that attempts to regularly report on industry news, review current releases, nor comment on current issues regarding the gospel music industry. There are plenty of bloggers out there who do all that, and do a better job of it than perhaps I would ever do.

Among such bloggers are David Bruce Murray, who perhaps does the best job of writing honest, fair-minded reviews of current gospel product, and in addition offers informed, reasoned commentary on issues regarding the industry.

Another is Daniel Mount, who does a fine job covering gospel music news stories, along with offering analysis of industry happenings and trends, and he also tries to review interesting new gospel releases. Both men do a fine job, and deserved to be invited to such a meeting to discuss thoughts and ideas regarding the gospel music industry.

Then, of course, there is perhaps the leading gospel music blogger of the day, whose inclusion in such a meeting should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the reading habits of today's gospel music fan.

There was some consternation expressed initially from those who possibly wondered why they were not also included, or wondered why some of those who were included WERE included. This was annoying to read at first, but now I can understand a little bit of why those who felt that way did so.

I understand it, but I don't share those sentiments.

Why? Without meaning to speak for anyone else, I don't perceive myself as being a part of the gospel music "industry"...nor do I have any desire to be so. My blog exists solely for the purpose of expressing myself, and whatever may pop into my "inquiring mind" on a given day. I have no agenda for reform or redefinition of any aspect of the gospel music industry.

Do I think the industry could serve me better? Possibly. Do I think it could serve the mass gospel music audience better? Oh, undoubtedly. Do I have any ideas on how it can? I'm sure I do. And frankly, if I cared enough about the "industry" to express them, I would. But, I don't. I'm someone who simply likes the gospel music he likes, and doesn't need any "industry" or any critics to tell me what I ought to like. I just like what I like.

So I don't feel "ignored" at all because no one asked me for my input in this weekend's "summit". In fact, I tend to liken such exercises to the gobs of meetings I'm required to attend at the radio station I work at. Sure, there are worthy ideas brought up from time to time. And occasionally, some real breakthroughs in policy occur as a result of them. But I invariably question why such boring contexts are required to share these ideas in. Couldn't I just tell the people who make the ultimate decisions what I think. and content myself with whether or not they accept or reject my ideas then and there? Most often, I fail to see why not...since that's the way most of the ideas are accepted anyway at my station!:-)

Now, I'm sure I sound a little naive here. And I don't mean to infer that there were not worthwhile ideas shared by many at this "summit", especially among the aforementioned bloggers! I'm sure there were.

I'm just as sure, though, that I didn't miss a thing by not attending this "summit". And I'm also sure I'll go on liking the same kind of gospel music I've always liked...without the undue influence of an "industry" or "charts" to tell me what the best songs are.

And the "industry" will go on as usual...without me having any particular say on how it goes, or without me having any desire to become part of it or to have any "power" in it.

And I will continue to "give the world a smile...each day".

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