"How Do I Get Started?"

One of the questions we are asked most often by Christian singers and songwriters is how to get started. People know they have a talent or even a gift for music, and they want to know what they should do next.

Believe it or not there is a right answer to that question, but it isn't one that most people think of as part of the process.

Before you do anything else, pray. Rendy Lovelady, manager of some of the hottest artists in the "Christian music industry," (Carmen, Jars of Clay, Luna Halo, Russ Lee) says you need to know that you are called by God to be a Christian artist. His advice is wise, because the music business -- and the Christian music business is no exception -- is filled with barriers and compromises.

If you are not well grounded in your beliefs and sure of why you are doing what you are doing, the journey will be doubly hard. Let me add that you need to make the final decision on this. Don't become an artist or a writer to fulfill someone else's dream. You, your career, and your relationship with that person will all suffer if you do.

Now for some "practical" advice. If you are an artist you should start by immediately building a fan base. Although that isn't as critical for a songwriter, it is still something writers should consider. The importance of a fan base goes beyond mere numbers -- it proves that people like your work.

And that is really Practical Step 1A. You need to have your work validated by people other than your family and close friends. When my partner and I first started writing songs we were getting very positive feedback from people who knew us. (My dad alternated between shock and joy that I could have written the lyrics he was hearing.) We decided to get a reality check, and we paid perfectly good money to strangers who were songwriting experts to listen to our songs and critique them.

The reviews weren't as glowing as those from our friends, but they were good enough to keep us going, and in fact they were very helpful. Gary, who is the composer half of the Dugan and Greer songwriting team, also did the performing, and he got some very valuable input on his singing as well. Afterwards we remarked that we couldn't get abuse like that for free, we had to go out and pay for it!

But free or not, you need to get objective opinions, and you need to listen to them. If you get advice (other than "don't quit your day job") make sure you follow up with that person, thanking them for their input and asking if you can check with them again after you have made changes.

From that point it is a matter of creating, practicing, networking, and expanding your audience. Those are different articles, so let me close this one with the reminder that you can honor God through the use of your gifts and abilities right where you are.

Several years ago a friend remarked that if he had a million dollars he would sure give a lot of it to the church. I asked him what he was doing with the money he had now, and he said he was giving a small part of it to the church. "Then that is what you would do if you had a lot of money." I said. Develop the habit today of honoring God through the use of your gifts and abilities -- whatever they are, and in whatever measure you have them. Remember, You Don't Have To Go To Nashville.

Lewis Greer
President, Do Good Music
lewis@dogoodmusic.com

(If you have questions or comments about this article, please send them to the author or to info@dogoodmusic.com.)