Ryan Mark

Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Whenever an artiste puts on his own show it would seem he is in for big returns, but gospel artistes are saying the events are extremely costly to stage and are often not for profit. When patrons flow into the venue it seems things are falling into place and a big payday is ahead for the artiste. When gospel artistes put on shows, though, it is a different story.

It is always easier, some of these gospel artistes say, to make assumptions without knowing the countless sleepless nights or the whirlwind days that go into planning these events. Despite popular belief, the artistes are saying they sometimes end up dipping into their own pockets instead of putting back into it.

"The first thing we try to do is get the letters out to the sponsors, and most of them return unsuccessful. I don't know why the companies don't like to support gospel events. I think it's because they think not enough persons attend gospel show and so it is not worth the promotion," said Ryan Mark, one of the promoters of the 'Operation Consecration' concert.

Sponsorship is problem

It seems sponsorship is a problem many gospel shows must contend with. The problem is even more imposing when compared to the huge chunk being pumped into secular shows. Sponsors are necessary to alleviate most of the cost, thereby making it more affordable for patrons to attend the events. Entry to a paid gospel concert runs at around $600, but many still complain that the fee is too high.

It is even more important to receive sponsorship for a show like 'Recharge', a free gospel concert put on by gospel reggae artiste, Calvin 'Prodigal' Whilby. Encouragement by those in his circle to charge an entry fee to the event has basically fallen on deaf ears, as this would divert from the vision of 'Recharge'.

"A lot of gospel shows of the magnitude of 'Recharge', some people can't afford. This is my gift to them. I can't walk and give everybody a dollar so I give back in the way I can," Prodigal said.

In years gone by he asked for donations, but that has been a drop in the bucket compared to the millions injected into the show. These are the figures that the artistes are saying critics are not taking into consideration. In fact, according to Prodigal and fellow gospel artiste and one of the promoters of 'Exodus: Movement of God's People', DJ Nicholas, it is one of the biggest misconceptions that the artistes benefit financially from the shows.

"Dem may think it is a bag of money, but you actually make less than you spend. I ended up going into my bank book. I don't see it as a loss, though. We believe in gospel reggae and so we put out our albums and do what we can," DJ Nicholas said. "It makes no sense wi sit down and wait for others to do it for us. I might not see the profit coming from this event ('Exodus'), but we are sowing seeds."

A part of what keeps the shows going is the artistes' willingness to work with each other. A gospel artiste will charge another gospel artiste a reduced rate to do a show with an implied or agreed understanding that the favour will be returned when they are called upon. Some of the other expenses incurred for these events include renting a venue, sound technicians and paying other persons.

For those who continue to criticise the shows by saying gospel shows are too 'hype' and centred on gospel reggae, the artistes said their primary focus is on young people, but they try to have variety to include the older generation.

"You have people who think entertainment is a sin, but you have church on a Sunday, Bible study on a Tuesday. A gospel concert should be a little different. You have some song you can't worship with, but you praise with them. We try to balance it out," Ryan Mark said.

Regardless of what is being said, though, the artistes maintain that what they are doing is an inspiration from above, and they will continue to do it as long as they have the leading.