But if you are a Christian Musician, then surely you believe that God has placed you in the situation you are in for his purposes. And how quickly the horns of our dilemma sprout, when we see what others are doing.  It appears to be the other hand of God that is not on you.  We are more inclined to follow God’s plan for anyone else rather than to trust God with his plan for us.

 Comparison, I’ve noted, is one of the first things I see when I come across my songs at various sites online, ”he sounds like…” and there’s always an odd music selection that someone has chosen to describe my own. If you’ve ever watched the movie on Ray Charles, there’s a point in his contract with Atlantic Records where he had to find his own sound. “we don’t need another Nat King Cole” they told him. And too, for you, finding and following your own calling is the riskiest and yet most satisfying thing you can do with your life.

 I’ve struggled enormously in music decisions between leaning on what is successful currently verses that persistent small voice that asks; “is this true to me, Is this my passionate understanding or is it an attempt at an endorsement for my efforts?”. Granted, Proverbs says  “in the counsel of many there is safety” and you are wise to accept insights.  But then there’s the story of Job. Who’s friends gave him all the wrong advice.

 “You could be singing in all these places if you would just be more emphatic in your lyrics about God” I’ve heard from several sources recently. And on the other side of the coin “this could be a hit on secular radio if you leave out that one line”.   I’m currently writing material for my 24^th recording called “Conversations”. And I have embraced the idea of making music more sing able to the listener. I’ve humbled myself before the criticism of wise counsel. And in honest willingness to allow for what I might be missing in my calling. But at the end of the day and in prayer with whom I follow first, I have to be who I am without excuse.  Sometimes that feels like  a weed growing in a crack on the sidewalk of life.

 My greatest deficit to overcome can be summed up in what a marketer said about me once:  “too Christian for the heathens and to heathen for the Christians”. But face it, music has been argued in Christendom since the day Saul threw a spear at David in concert. But I don’t think David left the palace thinking wow I should have written the song with a better hook.

 We are all susceptible to the numbers as our endorsement: concert attendance, product sales, industry opinions.  This dilemma, in the past, was played out under contract to someone who’s bottom line was simply based on those numbers. But now as an independent ‘contractor’ I face an even scarier reality. That is: to trust that God is directing my steps daily. And following him is  truly a matter of risking all your comforts, to be honest to your faith and original in your calling.

 How often do we criticize the plans of others, because of our awareness that theirs are currently more successful than our own? Or hide in our assurance that surely we are simply more spiritual because we are suffering thru obscurity of one kind or another? Don’t do that! Remember no one else was even building a boat when Noah did. Trusting  God to direct you is the greatest reason to follow him in my estimation. That’s the bigger picture. Don’t get bogged down looking at who God’s other hand is on. Revel in what he says to you and do the next right thing.

 There are days when the best that I can do is to remind myself to get up, clean up, dress up and show up! After all, the best things in my life have come as a surprise beyond anything I could have planned. So what will it be? Your plan or God’s hand? I have too often climbed the ladder of success only to find it leaning against the wrong building. I remember too that the Apostle Paul was not the only great speaker in his day. It didn’t deter him knowing Apollos was drawing a pretty good crowd too. Pauls passion was elsewhere. Doing what God has asks you to do in this moment is the best trail you can blaze. Play it the way you feel it, Sing it with the conviction that only you can bring. Sow and who knows where your crop will be harvested. I know I’m seeing sprouts in cracks that didn’t use to be there!

 An example is online concerts! I did a world tour in one day last week. I’m using www.Stageit.com to broadcast my new song material even before it’s recorded. I sang one concert with people in attendance from five countries and I avoided the airport at the same time.

Now there’s no way I would have known that was even a possibility before this year. What can I say but Tomorrow is Here!

Learning to ask for help by Bryan Duncan

Of all the things I’ve hated in life, being needy is at the top of my list. I’m discovering that asking for help is a necessity. No one in life is successful all by themselves. But the art of asking for help is rarely worked on at the level of all things career driven. Like music, it takes more than one “Rehearsal”.

I even have to ask people to help me ask people for help. Yes, it’s called promotion and marketing in some circles. Those are really glorified labels for a sometimes humbling position of facing true neediness. Granted, Rock Stars in the past seemed incredibly oblivious to the facts of what other people were doing to help them.

In our case however, Thank God for Christ! He has no problem speaking to us about our problem. But neediness is not weakness! In fact, that subtlety in our mis-definition can corrupt all of our best intentions. We all know that an image of success actually perpetuates it. Nobody wants to be a part of a giant failure. Here again, you might have “Image of success” poorly defined as pretentious. For our sakes let’s call it “projecting our faith”.

Faith is acting on things unseen as of yet, is it not?  But it doesn’t negate the one true place we must all acknowledge first. We won’t make it without a lot of help. In order for that to happen, you must prove yourself to be reliable and downright determined to follow through on your plans, even if no one were to join you except God almighty. Showing up on time is a simple start; by the way, of proving you are committed to your passion. Honoring your word is also preparation for asking others to trust you and your work.

Don’t kid yourself into believing that what you do every day isn’t being noticed by the very people who will be first to contribute to your efforts. The one thing that got my first recording contract with a major record label was simply the number of concerts I was already doing. You have to show reasonable potential for benefit. “Win/Win” is the moniker tagged to this concept these days. It was always presented to others for me in my early career.

In this new world, I’ve had to learn the art of explanation of the “Art Form” in order to perform at all. The first time I ever said “I need your money to help me” was on camera and I nearly choked on it. I had visions of devious T.V. preachers in my head. Now I’m learning to know who you are, what you believe, and why you think you are worth the “investment”. And be aware of what others are working at accomplishing. Know how they might benefit from your assistance in a similar direction. It’s called synergy!

By this writing I will have finished a month long campaign to raise an album budget on www.kickstarter.com it’s one of several facilitators of the Arts and Ideas funding now in place that you should look into. I’m learning to set deadlines. My campaign will be successful, even if the money goal were not to be reached, because it comes with a deadline to work towards. It lights a fire in me to do work in the same direction every day. I’m seeing that because I am already moving, there is a willingness in others to engage in the same vision.

I’m learning to understand that “downtime” is really time for preparation.  Before my campaign started over a month ago, came an everyday commitment I made to create dialog in social media, making contacts with people who resonated with my music and convictions. The last four years have been the development of communicating my desires, helping me learn to speak of my convictions in ways others understand.

Looking back, I can see where I would take off on a dream to the exclusion of everyone. I hadn’t communicated about the reason I was writing this particular music and these particular lyrics. It was irritating to this impatient soul to take the time to give reasons for my pursuits. I had that “you should know already” and “if I have to explain it, you wouldn’t get it anyway” kind of mentality. Bottom line: that attitude can be filed under “Self Involved”.

After many bewildering endings to my pursuits, I’m learning to see people above an objective. I see my efforts in ministry now as a way of engaging life generally with many of my friends. The relationships we’ve built together are richer than any single goal we’ve ever attempted. Seeing real people is a key to asking for real help. And having a genuine desire to help others will go a long way in understanding why any of us would be willing to give.

How Can I Help?

I’ve been told that using social media effectively is one of the keys to a successful Kickstarter campaign. Your help is extremely important because even the people who like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter don’t see everything I post. On the average day about 10-15 percent of you “might” see something from me. And then there’s the hundreds of thousands of people who actually own one or more of my albums but have no idea that I’m still alive much less on Facebook or Twitter. I’d appreciate it if you could share the story and/or the campaign.

This story tells a bit more about me and how God is working in my life. You’ll notice it has buttons to make sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, etc. very easy. Please use them to share the story as soon as you’re able.

This Kickstarter page includes a video and information about my campaign. It also lists the cool stuff you’ll get for participating – things like autographed albums, house concerts, duets in concert or on your album projects and the chance to connect by phone or videoconference to talk about our lives, new songs, old songs, etc. You’ll find answers to any questions about Kickstarter there.

I’ll be able to use Kickstarter’s tools to connect with you if you pledge your support of at least one dollar. I start throwing in fun perks if you pledge at least three dollars. I hope you can find a way to participate that works for you and some rewards that charge your batteries.

You’ll notice the Kickstarter page also has buttons to make sharing on Facebook, Twitter, etc. very easy. You can send a private message to me there and find out more about Kickstarter. There are also answers to more questions there, like “Can I participate even if I don’t live in the United States?” (Spoiler alert: the answer is yes).

What Happens If You Don’t Reach The Goal?

In a word – nothing.

Kickstarter uses an all or nothing model. So, if we don’t reach the goal the project isn’t funded. Nobody who pledged support will be asked to provide it. None of the fun rewards will be produced or shipped. It will be as if we stepped back in time only we won’t look any younger.

Bottom line is no record company is doing well in this economy. Visibility has always been the biggest problem to an effective career. So much is clamoring for attention these days and attention spans have been shortened in every possible way.

attendance at concerts has been way off. People are scrambling in their lives to stay ahead of their own duties I think. 

Successful concerts have been more of a matter of ambiance and comfortable identity than hearing a particular artist. The presentation is often more a matter of light show and spectacular or it’s a gathering of like minds who are finding audience affiliation over the artist. In most cases the artist is simply a flag for an event of another kind.

 money is what moves things forward most of the time. I do what I can but I am sure my position in being labeled as a “pragmatic christian” puts off the marketing gurus. and of course I am “Too Christian” for the “secular side” to be comfortable with. 

at the end of the day who I am, is probably the biggest problem to an easy marketing plan. Marketing is best when it is simple and easy to identify. You want to know exactly what yer getting. 

Me? I’m kinda all over the place. Humor, books, singing, sarcastic. The truth is too, that there are plenty of talented people around who are willing to do nearly anything for popularity. And often they are the gullible ones whom others make money off of and often at the expense of the artist. I, on the other hand have seen the top of that ladder and it’s leaning against the wrong wall!

I’ve never been happier in what I’m doing now, as I see grass roots efforts becoming the new norm. I’d rather resonate in smaller arenas and carry a confidence of my convictions ( or lack there of) than to simply be what I need to be to look good.

In the long run I’m seeing a longing in my own life to be part of a bigger picture, embracing what I cannot control. We only get one lifetime here. I want to add my voice to those who are grateful for the opportunity to learn new things. Discovery is a hard road to adventure because it requires facing the unfamiliar and the uncertain.

I would rather risk and lose than play it safe and regret. Risk breeds hope as much as disappointment. Both are inevitable.

my greatest rewards have come in personal relationships over an acknowledgment of some effort or ability. again its the journey over the destination I guess.

In my early career I couldn’t have given you the names of even the promoters of my concerts. everything was a blur of activity. Without pause to see into the souls of others there is a true emptiness of purpose, absolute loneliness to be exact. 

Granted I empathized upon hearing from some fans. But fellowship is greater! Kickstarter is a forum to acknowledge that I am not above need. 
A decade ago, I would have been too proud to admit that I needed anything except in the broadest of terms even though it is the beginning of the Gospel.

God uses us in the lives of others and he usually speaks to us through a dozen friends. The most painful thing to me is the hundreds of times I’ve heard comments basically “why aren’t you a bigger artist than you are?” it’s kind of a sideways compliment suggesting I’m not enough. But then that’s always been the truth for us all! I am not enough by myself. but it doesn’t mean I should carry the weight of not being ‘good enough’. Better to be all that I can, doing what I can and find companions who are looking to do that too. And when together we find a greater sense of purpose in our combined effort, what we have is true “church”. Something God is pleased with: all the parts of the body working as one! 
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In my heyday I used to pay the sound man more than the musicians. Because if he isn’t good, it won’t matter how good the band is. If you are still reading this now, I know you have stories of nightmares where the engineer pushes the fader up on the kick drum instead of the guitar solo. If you are a seasoned player you know to make friends quickly with your sound professional. There’s a fine line between an ally and an enemy.

That said, let’s  leave the perfect world and revisit where most of us are. I walked into a church last week just thirty minutes before downbeat. Only to find an antiquated soundboard where most of the knobs haven’t been turned since the turn of the century.

I would be presenting with one blown speaker on a mono system and a guy running it who confessed to some high end hearing loss. My first clue was when he said huh? To my first question. Not a good sign. He also didn’t know what a DI was.

I refer to these moments as changing the play at the line of scrimmage. Im gonna have to rethink the set list, track loops aren’t gonna work today. Even unplugged material will be suspect singing into a microphone that sounds like you have your hand over your mouth.

There’s a point where content will have to overcome catastrophe in the presentation. Here’s where your faith really has to shine. Two choices come up everyday. Act like a diva or find a way around mix.

Before any music comes from you there has to be heart. Here’s where Christian musicians have an edge. I’ve learned that no matter how sweet a melody of notes can be, never underestimate the power of a silent pause. That rest notation usually comes at a point of panic in real life situations. Communication needs more than a key signature.

I was forced away from my own talents and strengths once again. Drawing upon a source that I don’t rehearse often enough. It’s the synergy of Christ before the song was born.

I have never stopped marveling at the miracle worker in the God I know. He would rather show his strength than to let us show our own. That’s not an excuse to do shoddy work but too often we cant even control the parameters we think we can.

Even when all else doesn’t fail, make the audience your ally. See them! No one wants to hear you complain about the inhibitors to a quality you’d prefer. It’s amazing how much an audience wants to connect with you beyond your talent.

I can still recall a major festival I played in Europe where the highlight of the day was an impromptu moment where the drummer in the band before mine came out front and did a rythmn solo on his bare belly. Everyone was imitating him for the rest of the day, doing their own “tummy solos”.

Never forget that the audience wants to play a part in the event. If only to sing along somewhere and identify with what you are experiencing. So if you are fighting distractions, remember one thing everyone can relate to, is struggling with adversity! So maybe your next performance is an example of faith and trust speaking louder than the impression you leave on strings and keys.

I opened this presentation fixing the screw driver that was holding up the piano stool. It gave me the opportunity to drop  all pretense with the people in attendance and share a heartfelt appreciation for their presence.

I ended my set with the audience whistling the solo section while I backed them up on guitar. And in the end we were laughing together instead of thanking God that the suffering was over.

“Be the screw driver” I told em. “Be someone others will miss when yer not there.” Even as musicians we may find ourselves holding up parts we were not made for. Bottom line, I was euphoric, surprised (and relieved) to have been a part of something unique to another moment again.

Let the crowd collaborate. It’s like I’ve learned in songwriting, when the song is great everyone benefits. And they seldom ask who wrote it. It’s usually the song the audience is singing after you drop out by the way.

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