Dear Record Labels and Radio Stations,
I have been a fan of your work for a long time, and more recently became involved with it on a deeper level. But I’m not writing today about me. Today I’m writing about you, and more importantly, your relationship with each other, or the lack thereof. Unfortunately, you will probably never read this. It will only be read by people who listen to you on a consistent
basis.
I am writing because I am concerned with what is turning into quite a chasm in your relationship. I only know what I’m told and I confess to not being an expert in this. But from what I understand, the record industry wants radio to pay more for using the songs. And the radio industry in turn, doesn’t want to pay anything for using songs, but actually wants to be paid for playing them. So if you don’t mind, I’d like to take a moment to look at each side and propose a solution. So if you don’t like what you’re hearing, don’t worry, I’ll get to the other side momentarily.
First, let’s start with radio. You either make money by selling commercials or raise money by getting listeners to support your station. This money is what pays your bills, salaries, etc. These listeners, both the listeners your advertisers desire and the listeners who support your station, are attracted to your station because of the music you play. Therefore, in a very simple equation, the music makes your money. If you would like to exclude the music, that’s great. Be a talk radio station. Then the listeners listen only for you, and all money paid or given is due to you. But if they listen for the music, then you are using that music to finance your own operation. And that’s a great idea. But Jesus said, in Luke 10, “The worker deserves his wages.” I know the economy is tough. In normal businesses, they have to find ways to make do. Sometimes there are layoffs. So I guess you could view this that way. You could lay all the artists off. Then you don’t have to pay them. But then you don’t get their work either.
It’s only fair. The state of the economy is not asking you to work for nothing. I realize that fewer listeners are involved each year. I understand that can be discouraging. I know you’re trying to find ways to make radio continue to be financially viable, but I don’t think you can not pay for the music you obviously use to your benefit.
Second, record labels… You make money selling records, or at least by selling songs. The average consumer knows about said song because most of the time, they heard it on the radio. From what I’ve been told, the radio stations’ case is that they deserve to get paid because they are advertising for your product. And while that is not completely the case, it does stumble across a truth. You do benefit from radio playing your song. So, until you figure out how to market your music successfully without radio, you still need this partnership. And I know (inside information follows) that you haven’t figured that out yet. I know you’re trying. I know a radio hit does not guarantee sales anymore. But at the moment, it is still your most common avenue to introduce music to the general public. So they have a case when they say they are doing things that benefit you.
My point is that you two need each other. You are both in the midst of a rough economy trying to make things work on your balance sheet. But the answer is not hurting the other. Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer. Otherwise, I would be out selling that answer and not writing this blog. What I do know is that for decades the two of you have worked together to
introduce thousands, maybe millions, of artists to the world. Music has saturated our culture. And it’s because you worked together. I don’t see why you’re trying to fix something that’s not broken. The current situation has worked. Let the radio stations pay a reasonable amount to use the music. The problem is that you can’t agree on what is reasonable. Well,
don’t try to make your year’s budget on this issue. It doesn’t need to greatly increase or decrease. Consider it a partership, like it always has been. If you need to make more money to balance your budget, then do it in other ways. Have a bake sale.
Now, for those of you who are in the mainstream media (right, like that’s going to happen, but just in case it does), that is the end of my letter to you. I am very grateful for all you have done over the years. You have made and shared so much music with me. And now you’re allowing me to make and share music myself. So, thanks. I hope you can work it out.
For those in the Christian media, I have one more thought. You are part of a kingdom. You are created and purposed for the glory of Christ. The king is in charge here. When a king has economic problems, does he set his knights against his farmers? His blacksmiths against his cooks? No. Why? Because he needs all of them. Remember the person you are fighting is a child of God. And more importantly that you are connecting pieces in a puzzle, a tapestry, if you will, that will express the glory of God to the world. If you can work together. And I think you can. Because friends are friends forever. Thanks for reading.
Todd
Awesome thought in the last paragraph, applicable to all of us.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 ESV
Thanks Todd. -Another reason why I love you. I can’t wait for the new album.
You go Todd!!
Excellent words my friend. That’s why I like what you do, what you stand for. Especially in Christian media, it’s a useless fight, but all round you nailed it, everyone needs each other to make this work. We all need to watch bottom lines to make it, but let’s not focus, long, or be eager for money, because we know what that can lead to. (1 Tim 6)
Unfortunately, Todd, you are seeing short term profit taking (or loss limiting) maneuvers in the music industry. I live these every day in the high-tech industry.
I greatly appreciate your thoughtful Christian world view approach to this issue. My prayer is that there are some (at least within the Christian side of your industry) who will humbly consider your well reasoned approach.
WOW, thank you. If I could encourage each side to pray for the other, I think that the outcome will be good. It’s extremely difficult to really want to beat up on someone that you are earnestly praying for.
To God be the glory!!!
indeed friends are friends forever.
Todd, let me ask you a question: do you sell more CD’s and have bigger concert attendance WHEN your songs are played on the radio versus when they are NOT? Several years ago, Carman was the biggest artist ever in Christian music, but when radio stopped playing his music, he faded away. He still made CD’s and had concerts, but a lot fewer people came or bought product.
Here’s what I think will happen, if these royalties are mandated: if an artist wants to be played on radio, they will have to be independent and give the radio stations royalty free music. The artists that do that will get heard and will sell music. Those who don’t will have to find some other way to get heard by the general public. Maybe in the future that medium will exist, but right now, if I was an artist, I’d definitely want my songs on the radio.
Todd:
It’s a privilege to play the music we play and to promote artists such as yourself. I can tell you that you have one of the best labels to work with and those there still believe the mission statement on their wall.
At the end of the day we will have to see what the industry requires and what our response will be.
I’m for a bake sale though and can we please have a few sugar free pastries?
By the way, do you now owe MWS a royalty for using a quote? 🙂
blessings!
Hi Todd,
Thank you for the encouragement to rise above the trials and the struggles of this, temporary, earthly portion of our lives. By the way, thank you for great music.
As a Christian radio station manager, I would never (almost never) turn down a donation. But I don’t know of any Christian Radio Station asking to be paid for playing music. Maybe that has come up in the lawyering (lead by the secular) industry. However, that statement in the second paragraph casts Christian radio in a bad light to many of your fans…who may have heard you for the first time on Christian radio.
We are not greedy gusses, in fact we have, collectively, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, in defense, of these changes being thrust upon us.
By the way there is a third side to this (the rest of the relationship). I’ve been in this for more than 15 years. In addition to airplay boosting record sales, I have seen 1 #1 radio song more than triple an artists nightly fee.
Thanks for the post, thanks for praying in the midst of this and thanks for letting me share.
James
Todd,
Thanks for your thoughtfulness, your passion for your art, and especially your passion for your Jesus.
A comment that catches my attention is the point that “I don’t see why you’re trying to fix something that’s not broken. The current situation has worked.” At the risk of having taken that thought slightly out of context, I’d say I have to agree. For decades, the radio and record industries in the US have enjoyed a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. We do indeed need each other. But I must also add that, to my knowledge, those of us in radio did not ask for this conflict; it came looking for us. Most of us in radio would agree that it ain’t broke, so why does it need fixing?
As radio stations, we do indeed receive something of real value in the music that we play. Were it not of value, we would not play it. The music industry also receives something of real value in the free airtime their product receives. Were that not true, they would not spend millions yearly on their radio promotions departments which, Lord willing, helps to sell the product and the laborers on both sides get their wages.
This answers a question of mine, maybe. The radio stations play the same songs over and over and over until I get tired of it and put a CD in. They’re also reluctant to play a lot of new stuff too. Maybe if these two entities saw themselves as valuable partners, in business as well as ministry, the radio stations could play song without charge, and the labels/artists would have a better chance of getting their songs played. Praying for one another is also a great idea (re: the person who suggested that above).
Blessings, Tess
Thank you, Todd, for your openness and insight. Your timing is interesting given we are reviewing your current single just this week 😀 Please remember that not all stations operate the same in music selection, artist promotion, or rotations. There are those of us who can honestly say we choose our music prayerfully and promote the music and artists we play. We do our best to listen to and review as much music as possible from new as well as established talent. Both artists and labels can be assured they are getting plenty in exchange for our use of their music, including on-air interviews and extra mentions when we give away their CDs on the air. Again, thank you for all you do.
In His service, Susan
Thank you Todd for being a go between for the record industry and radio. Working in radio, the one thing I would disagree with in your statement is that we want to get paid to play the music. I think that has been floated around with the thought of “if radio has to pay to play it then we ought to get paid, much like an advertisement”. I work in non-commercial radio. We have enjoyed a great relationship with artists and labels. But when more royalties are introduced, that benefit the artist and label and take more away from radio, then it concerns our industry. You are right in saying that “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”. It would seem that radio was fine with that but the labels and artists were not.
You wrote that it wasn’t fair to have a someone work and not get paid. And your arguement was for the musician. It also goes for the radio station that is spending money on air talent, electricity and equipment to play that song. Therefore, the arguement of “the worker getting paid” should go both ways, to the artist and radio.
The other option would be to eliminate the composer royalties that we pay to SESAC, ASCAP and BMI so we can pay the artist. Don’t artists already have to pay these royalties to use the songs.
Thank you for this honest and open discussion. I don’t know if we can change things but at the least, it has been discussed.
God Bless.
Patrick Green
Northern Christian Radio
Hi Todd,
Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts into writing.
I appreciate your honest heart, and your heart for ministry.
As someone who has worked in this business for almost 20 years, I can honestly say I have never heard of a Christian radio station being paid to play music. In fact, the government frowns on that, and when any person or station takes money for music, it’s illegal. It’s called “payola” and people end up with nasty things like fines and jail time for doing it.
Todd, I would welcome an open dialogue with you. I understand that both sides of our industry/ministry are having financial issues. That said, I’m not sure if you are aware of all the times that radio already has to pay for music. We pay royalties to ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and we pay fees for each person that listens online.
The truth of the matter is many radio stations are being nickeled and dimed to death. If a bill passes to charge radio stations to play music, some stations will either go to an all talk format or cease to exist. I think we can agree that isn’t good for anyone, or for the expansion of the gospel.
That said, there is a lot of positive dialogue going on between radio stations and record companies as we speak. The CMB (Christian Music Broadcasters) has been sitting down and talking to the heads of the labels about why this would end up hurting both of us. I’ve been encouraged because the discussions have been open and honest.
I don’t claim to have all the answers either, but if we keep talking to each other and to the One who does hopefully we can continue to partner together fruitfully.
Hey Todd,
I can always count on you to talk about something noone seems to do.
One point I would like to make, from a listener of Christian Radio and purchaser of music from Christian and otherLabels:
I AM SOOO SICK OF HEARING THE SAME SONGS OVER AND OVER, OVER, OVER AND OVER, OVER, OV…..etc.
whew sorry had to let that one just out there…
I had to give away my Casting Crowns CD’s because just the first key note of one there songs is like water torture! I can hear them all day long on the 3 christians stations I have access to. Laong with Mercy Me, Chris Tomlin, the band formerly known as Third Day (WHO HAVE NO OTHER AGENDA BUT TO MAKE IT IN THE SECULAR WORLD NOW), Brandon heath, Newsboys, and more.
I just mean come on, be somewhat creative. I now look for the artists who are not over exposed by radio and have an honest to goodness love of the art. Check out the grass roots of direct purchasing going on at noisetrade, Brite Revolution, and Andrew Peterson’s Rabbit Room. Really I would rather give my less than normal extra cash to people who ARE NOT on the radio so much. I am sure those artist would love to heard over the airwaves, but only becasue that is from them growing up in the old world of radio/music.
That is not the case any more. Look at Switchfoot on how they have done it – -I know, they are an anomally. Ok Look at Todd, here. He gets radio play – but I bought my first CD of his only becasue someone told to listen to this great guy. I was like cool I NEVER HEARD of him sure.. still love the thunder song from that experience. and it isn’t played on the radio.
Here is lame answer to your problems guys:
First stop over playing music. your killing the artist. try changing to more of an IPOD format. Go ahead and pay a yearly premium for labels. I know cost, cost, cost. OK Then make the labels fight for your time with dicount prices. promise you will play there playlists of artists, for this price, but this other label will only charge me this.. get it?
For years radio is recording there block sets and playing them at other times. (night/day) Why don’t you let go some of the cheesy announcer/personalities, have the labels program your setlists, that you pay for, and let the listener and consumer hear a broader range of the music that is available.
Peace and goodwill to all…
Welll first of all I want to say that I completely agree with you Todd. What you said is right on. While some may not like something you said, you did not say that things like radio being payed to play music happen all the time. You simply said that you had heard that it had been talked about. The focus on your blog was not to attack or hurt either side. You were asking for peace and cooperation between the two. While I do agree with some that radio over plays some songs, I also do not think that is the issue and that both sides are just trying to make it and need to quit the fighting. By offering a defense for “your” side and by saying things such as “We were happy with the former way and none of this is our fault.”, one is simply fueling the fire. Let is drop. Follow Christ and persue peace. Thank you so much Todd for what you said. Do not feel bad about it. You were saying what Christ would want said.
By the way, I saw you last night and loved it. Christ oozes from your every word. Thank you for being real about how exhausting it can be to love everyone. I was a traveling summer missionary this past summer and understand (on a smaller scale) how it can be to always be watched and to not just get to be yourself but to have to act perfect 100% of the time. Of course everyone would like someone who had energy left over and loved to talk to people all the time, but that is not realistic. I really respect your decision to talk to your wife immediately after the show.