Airplay 360 November 2010

November Cover Brian Courtney Wilson

www.airplay360.com

INSIDE November 2010

Contents

On the Cover: Brian Courtney Wilson

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Tele-Seminars Offer Insight for Independent Artists - Ace Alexander

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LEGAL BRIEF: Copyright Law – Is Your Church Praise and Worship Service Legal?

by Angela D. Green, Esq.

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COVER STORY: Brian Courtney Wilson – Feelin’ The Love by Louise M. Moore

12 THE PRODUCER: A Conversation With Stan Jones

by Louise M. Moore 14 VOCAL HEALTH: Protecting Your Voice From The Effects of Ashma Meds by Mark A.Williams MD, PhD 16 YOUR IMAGE: Does Your Audience Connect With YOU? by Tina A. Fears 18 THINK AHEAD: Create Opportunities NOW For This Holiday Season by Adrian Anderson 20 INTERNATIONAL: Gospel Radio Stations Lead The Charge in Canada by Kathy Grant

On the Cover: Brian Courtney Wilson – All BCW Photography by Michael Rowe S

6 Is Your Church Praise and Worship Service LEGAL?

by Angela D. Green, Esq.

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RISING Producer STAN JONES

by Louise M. Moore

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE Tele-Seminars Offer Insight for Independent Artists would like to personally thank and commend those of you who have participated so far in the Airplay 360 Tele-Seminar sessions on “How to Get Your Music Played on Radio.” We’ve been blessed to provide you access to industry experts who offer sound, honest counsel on the issues important to independent artists. As a network radio music director in a sophisticated and complex corporate structure of more than 40 radio markets, I have observed a lot of things over the past six years in this industry. Many of these things serve as my motivation and produce a sincere passion within me to empower independent artists. And, I have been blessed to do so for the past four years through seminars, discussion forums, workshops, conferences and, of course, Airplay 360 online magazine. Most recently, these educational tele-seminars have proven to be an enriching experience for many of you.

So, spread the word among your colleagues and other Indies about these empowerment sessions. Encourage them to sign up and become a part. I always say that “KNOWLEDGE truly is POWER, WISDOM is necessary and there is no substitute for UNDERSTANDING! Absorb ALL that you can. Because if you know more, you will do more!

November 2010 / Vol. 3 No. 4

PUBLISHER Ace Alexander EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Louise M. Moore ASSISTANT TO PUBLISHER Alicia Baiden Nicole Doldron EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Michelle Slater TEAM OF EXPERTS Adrian Anderson Tina A. Fears Kathy Grant Angela D. Green, Esq. Dileesa Hunter Roderick Jemison Nicole B. Simpson, CFP Chris Squire Mark A. Williams, M.D., Ph.D. COLUMNISTS Linda Berthier Wanda Patterson ADVERTISING LTL Entertainment LLC AIRPLAY 360 Online Magazine published monthly www.airplay360.com

Copyright © 2008-2010 Airplay 360 Online Magazine, Airplay 360 Media & Entertainment / The Ace Alexander Company INTL

Ace Alexander Publisher/Founder Ace Alexander is a national music director and radio personality. He is a recipient of the Central South Distribution REACH Award. He is a two-time nominee for the R&R / Billboard Achievement Awards for Radio Personality and National Music Director of the Year and a 2010 Radio Stellar Award nominee. He is also a Music & Entertainment Consultant and Founder of Airplay 360 www.airplay360.com

Reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Readers are free to forward this web magazine to friends and colleagues.

DISCLAIMER: The articles and resources in AIRPLAY 360 are not intended to be a substitute for professional consultations. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this web magazine, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

AIRPLAY 360

November 2010

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Legal Brief Copyright Law: Is Your Church Praise & Worship Service LEGAL?

BY ANGELA D. GREEN, ESQ.

ithin the copyright law, there is an exemption for use during worship services.

Therefore, it is legal to use copyrighted material of a religious nature during worship service. However, that same use by the church in any other setting, without permission, is illegal.

The same applies for the use of video material. That is why it is important for the church to obtain a Church Copyright License or Church Video License from Christian Copyright Licensing Inc.

Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc. is an organization established to educate churches on copyright law and to protect churches from committing copyright infringement.

As royalty revenue shrinks, copyright owners

“…it is important for the church to obtain a Church Copyright License.” are paying attention to revenue streams that were thought forgotten. The larger the church size, the greater the target. Protect your church from that potential lawsuit.

The articles and/or legal tips provided by Angela Green, Esq. are for informational purposes only, concerning general legal principles. You should consult your legal counsel for answers to specific legal questions.

Angela Green is an entertainment Attorney in Memphis, Tennessee and also part owner of Key II Entertainment which is an artist management company.

She is also founder and CEO of music publishing and registration service Positioned for Millions. www.positionmenow.com

LEGAL TERMS EVERY ARTIST SHOULD KNOW Copyright Infringement When a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.

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Are you

Stage Ready?

BY TINA A. FEARS

www.denisehill.com

www.airplay360.com

AIRPLAY 360

November 2010

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BY LOUISE M MOORE

hen Music World Gospel recording artist Brian Courtney Wilson left the comfort and security of his thriving corporate job to do full-time music ministry, he was “terrified” to say the least. What he didn’t know then was that he would be vocalist on a simple, yet powerful song called “All I Need” that would be the longest running current single on Billboard’s Gospel Chart at 80 consecutive weeks and counting. Radio

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station programmers and gospel music lovers alike are giving Brian major love with his debut CD JUST LOVE. After a successful launch in 2009, JUST LOVE debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums Chart and #6 on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart. A re-launch on Oct. 5 that features the Deluxe Edition JUST LOVE CD, plus DVD debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart. Recently, I talked to Brian about the success of his project and how it all came about from the beginning to now.

LM: How did you come to sign with Music World Gospel ?

BCW: I was a volunteer at a large ministry here in Houston and I heard a call from God to go into music ministry. I left my corporate gig and I started working at a church in downtown Houston called St. John’s United Methodist Church and did that for several years. While I was doing that I got offered a record deal by music executive Matthew Knowles who was a member of the church after he heard one of the songs I had written called “Already Here”.

LM: Your song “All I Need” has been on the Billboard Gospel charts for over 80 weeks. Why do you believe “All I Need” seems to have such great appeal that it is getting so much airplay and so much love from radio?

BCW: Well, the song was written for me by Stan Jones who produced the record and it kind of simmered out there for about a year or so before it charted at all but music programmers like Ace Alexander were playing the song based on requests they were getting. I think the message in it is just timely given the economic circumstances we’re dealing with right now. People are having things stripped from them that they thought they needed and then, to have a reminder that all you need is a touch from the Master. And, I’ve also heard DJs say that it’s a simple message similar to what Marvin Sapp did with “Never Could Have Made It.” People are connecting with that because it’s simple and something they can integrate into their lives.

LM: Now, I did hear something about you didn’t initially want to record “All I Need” and that your producer had to convince you. Can you tell me why you decided to do this song?

BCW: That’s not exactly true. When Stan first played the song for me, he played a portion of it and I didn’t think the song was going to fit the record. When I first heard it, I told him, “Well, I don’t know about this song.” We started writing another song together called “No Other” and when we wrote that song, I really got what he wrote in the other song (“All I Need”). And I asked him if was too late to try to put something down on it and we did it in one take. I remember everyone in the studio was just crying.

LM: When you start the song called “Just Love” you talk about a church in Houston, Texas. What is it about this church that warranted you writing a song about it? www.airplay360.com

BCW: When I left my pharmaceutical job, St. John’s allowed me to come and do music ministry and the church also has a huge homeless ministry and every Sunday Pastor Rudy Rasmus would get up and say, “Look at your neighbor and tell them I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it, and then find three people and hug them.” And what would happen is you’d have people that slept on the steps the night before because of the homeless ministry hugging someone like Matthew Knowles who’s a CEO living in a real nice neighborhood in Houston. But everybody felt the same way that “I love you and God loves you.” And that was the type of environment I saw over the years that really inspired people and ultimately inspired me to write that song.

LM: You have another song on the charts “Awesome God” and I notice that all your songs on the charts like “Just Love” and “All I Need” are ballads. Are you the new gospel balladeer?

BCW: I wouldn’t say that. I just like good songs. I definitely want to get some more tempo type tunes that people at church can sing together but I like ballads too. I think we have some solid ballads that people can connect with and “Awesome God” is one of those songs.

LM: When you have three songs that on radio that people are familiar with and you go to church every Sunday and church members know of your success, how do you keep yourself grounded?

BCW: Well, one thing is they don’t know yet. That was kind of why we did a re-issue of the record.

BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON Continued Page 11

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BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON Continued from Page 9

We’ve had some great radio success and that’s a testament to my radio promotions team but people don’t know yet who I am or that the same guy that sings “All I Need” sings “Just Love” or “Awesome God”. And so, when we kind of make that connection in the church services between my name and my face and the song, it’s always a revelation to people. When you do gospel music, one of the first things you realize is that every good thing that is happening to you is because God is shining through your life so how can you get haughty or arrogant about that when ultimately it’s about God’s presence working through you. But pray for me because this is the type of industry that feeds your ego and you can over time begin to think it’s about you. I want to be pleasing to God. I want to keep my family together and I want to everything I do to manifest God’s presence.

LM: You left your corporate, pharmaceutical job for your music. What advice can you can to independent artists who want to transition from a corporate job to doing music full-time?

BCW: That’s a tough question for me every time because, just to be frank with you, when I left my job, I was terrified. It wasn’t this glorified walk out on faith. It felt like I was losing my mind, literally.

But I think part of it was that I was resisting the call. Doing pharmaceutical sales was a comfortable living for me. They give you a car and bonuses every three months and you have a pretty good salary. Yet, when I accepted the call to do music full-time, I don’t know if I planned the best way to step out but God ultimately showed me his mercy and grace. Just because you’re on your job right now and you feel like there’s more for you to do, don’t forsake planning right now on your job and making that work for you. When I was doing pharmaceutical sales, it prepared for me for what we had to do later (with my music career) in terms of radio promotions, meeting people and making sure we garnered the type of favor to keep the song on the radio. I believe that even though you can’t see what God is preparing you for right now, he is definitely preparing you for something. He knows the plans he has for you.

For more information on Brian Courtney Wilson go to www.musicworldent.com/artists/briancourtneywilson.

www.airplay360.com

The Producer

A Conversation with

STAN JONES

BY LOUISE M. MOORE

tan Jones is the award-winning, soft-spoken producer, songwriter behind the success of Music World Gospel artist Brian Courtney Wilson’s debut album JUST LOVE.

Though Stan Jones has worked with many A-list artists such as Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp and the Williams Brothers and penned many songs, no song he has written or produced has attained the success and longevity of the Top 10 hit “All I Need” featured on Brian Courtney Wilson’s JUST LOVE CD. After more than 80 weeks on Billboard’s Gospel Singles Chart, “All I Need” is still going strong. When I caught up with Stan, he was taking a break from a studio session but took time to chat with me about his production skills and how it’s all translated into a successful career.

LM: You must be so proud of all the success of JUST LOVE and especially the first single “All I Need”. I heard it almost didn’t get on the project.

SJ: When I did the song I recorded it as a demo without the lead vocal and Brian didn’t think it would fit the project, and the Vice President of the label didn’t think it would do well. So the next day Brian came into the studio and heard the song (with lyrics) and asked me to let him try it and we were like, “That’s the song right there!” Everybody that was in the room (including the label VP) was just crying. But it almost did not come to pass.

LM: In a situation where an artist is telling you they’re not sure about including a particular song.

Do you get the final word as the producer?

SJ: I do but we try to make it a collaboration between the artist and the producer because after I finish producing, the artist has to be the one living the album and promoting it and if it’s songs they don’t like to sing, then the artist is not going to do them effectively. After all, it’s the artist’s name on the front and mine on the back.

LM: How important is it that you have chemistry with an artist?

SJ: Yes, of course. It helps out a lot if you develop a chemistry. You can be able to get the best. The artist can know when the producer is lacking and vice versa.

LM: I know you’ve worked with many artists but is there any artist in particular that you had a really good chemistry with?

SJ: Probably the greatest chemistry I’ve ever had with recording was with the Williams Brothers.

They really know me and call me their son.

Things I can say prior to even them knowing, they already know to do it. And, that comes from years of being around each other.

LM: Now aren’t you from Mississippi around the same area as the Williams Brothers? www.airplay360.com

SJ: Yes, I’m from Mississippi and I’ve been with (the Williams Brothers) and helping out with their organization for about 10 years. I just produced their 50 year anniversary CD. To be producing songs that they’d done before I was born and to recreate songs they were singing when I was just a kid like “Sweep Around Your Own Front Door” and “I’m Just a Nobody” is awesome.

LM: What artists or producers do you as a producer draw inspiration from?

SJ: It’s so many people but growing up, it was artists like John P. Kee and Fred Hammond but now there are so many young people like Estee Bullock, James Fortune and Daniel Weatherspoon.

All of these guys are inspiring us to just keep the heat coming. They’re great songwriters and keep us uplifted and pressing to make sure that great music is always coming.

LM: What does a producer like Stan Jones listen to? What’s in your iPod? SJ: Every Tuesday I try to see who’s coming out and I try to go out and buy new music. I bought Tye Tribbett, James Fortune and others who are on my playlist right now.

LM: So what’s coming up for you?

SJ: I am working on a solo album that is scheduled to come out next year. As far as production, I’m working on Trin-i-tee 5:7’s new project and, of course, we just released Brian Courtney Wilson’s deluxe edition of JUST LOVE and the Williams Brother’s new album CELEBRATING 50 YEARS. LM: What type of advice can you give to someone who wants to be a producer and wants to know how to get started?

SJ: You have to study and do your homework to know what the industry is looking for and what artists are looking for. Know the type of artists you would like to work with and the kind of music they like doing.

AIRPLAY 360

November 2010

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Vocal Health Protecting YOUR VOICE From Side Effects of

Asthma Meds

BY MARK A. WILLIAMS, MD, PhD

or people who suffer with asthma, you'll know that many of the medications don't have a taste at all. Don't let the absence of taste fool you. These medicines are actively working to help control asthma flair-ups. Asthma is best controlled with the daily use of inhaled steroids prescribed by your doctor. However, these medications can have undesired side effects on the voice.

The medications are most often delivered by inhaling a dry powder form through the mouth by way of an inhaler. To reach the airways and the lung, where they have their effect, they have to go through the vocal cords where some of these powdered steroids adhere to the vocal cords. Here, they can cause drying, thinning and in some cases infection of the cords.

Clearly, it is much more important to have excellent control of asthma symptoms (which if not controlled can result in death) than it is to have the clearest sounding voice. Consequently, for people who need inhaled steroids, there are a few things that can be done to minimize or prevent these unwanted side effects.

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1. Rinse the mouth and throat out after use of the inhaler. Spit the water out. Don’t swallow.

2. Use a spacer when taking the medications.

3. Talk to your doctor about use of alternative medications or nebulized delivery methods that are effective.

4. Seek medical attention from an otolaryngologist who specializes in voice if you notice changes in your voice when taking these medications.

Mark A. Williams, M.D., Ph.D. is an otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose & Throat doctor) in Nashville, TN. He is the founder of the Voice Care Center of Nashville ( www.entson.net ) where he specializes in the prevention and treatment of voice disorders of singers, performers and professional voice users. In addition to his medical doctorate, he holds a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics. His experience as a surgeon, scientist and singer/songwriter gives him unparalleled insight into voice, ear, nose and throat care for his patients.

Your Image Does Your Audience Connect With YOU?

BY TINA A. FEARS

he days of just having a great voice or dynamic lyrics have long gone. Here are a few simple ways to maintain an image that your audience can connect with. Let’s start with identifying your audience.

If you are marketing to a younger audience, your choice of wardrobe styling should be relevant yet original.

“The heartbeat behind your image is presenting what your audience have seen online when they see you in person.”

This also applies if you are catering to a mature market as well. It's more common than not that your first encounter with new audiences will be through the Internet. Make sure your online presence is fresh and consistent on all of your sites.

If you are touring, it's great to upload images from you live performances or those taken with your audience. Be sure to update these images as you visit each city. You will begin to notice you are slowly shaping your brand!

If you have a new project in circulation make sure your photos on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace match the artwork on the cover of your project.

The heartbeat behind your image is presenting what your audience have seen online when they see you in person. It's important to provide that polished and perfected presentation in all times.

Tina A. Fears is the Founder/CEO of Stage Ready LLC. Stage Ready is a artist development firm that specializes in choreography, styling, casting and live production development. www.stageready.net

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It is wise to create variations of your look that can be applied to a variety of situations. This is not something that happens over night but with time and attention your image can leave a lasting impression that supports your music.

Developing your image will lead you to shaping your brand.

ARTIST MANAGEMENT IGA Talent Management & Consulting, Inc. Damon Stewart dstewart@igatalentmgmt.com

Kingdom Global Management & Booking 32 Parade Drive Greenville, SC 29605 Tel: 404-664-0715 Fax: 864-243-8747 www.kingdomglobalmanagement.com

INTERNET

SINGERS

Musicians4You.com

Deanna Ransom

www.musicians4you.com

Gospel Jazz R&B www.cdbaby.com/cd/deannaransom1

Linda ‘Chocolate’ Berthier

LEGAL Angela D. Green & Assoc. P.C.

Caribbean/Reggae/Jazz www.lindachocolateberthier.com

www.myspace.com/adgreenlaw

www.kathygrant.org Johnny Blanks 347-483-9797 (M) 347-329-0464 (O)

Positioned For Millions www.positionmenow.com

CHOREOGRAPHY

Kathy Grant

MUSIC DOWNLOAD

SPECIALTY

DigiGospel.com

Brown Angel Apparel

www.digigospel.com

www.brownangeltees.com

Stage Ready LLC Choreography, Fitness Training and Artist Development info@stageready.net www.stageready.net

MUSIC PRODUCTION FINANCIAL Nicole Simpson, CFP Certified Financial Planner Disaster Planning Specialist www.nicolebsimpson.com

www.creative-marx.com

D3 Entertainment Michelle Duffie Contact www.d3egroup.com

TELEVISION West Coast Praze www.westcoastpraze.com

RADIO GRAPHICS/DESIGN

CHRI – 99.1

215Flyers.com

www.chri.ca

1.877-215FLYERS www.215flyers.com

Christian Jukebox

VOCAL CARE

www.thechristianjukebox.com

Bezworks Design LLC Aziz “Zee” Peregrino-Brimah getresults@bezworks.com www.bezworks.com

Creative Marx Handmade Jewelry

American Singing Studio www.americansingingstudio.com

En Sound Radio Power of Gospel

Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists of Nashville

INTERNET

www.thepowerofgospel.com

www.entson.net

En Sound Entertainment

WGFE PRAIZE 102.9

www.ensoundentertainment.com

www.praize1029.com

www.airplay360.com

www.ensoundradio.net

AIRPLAY 360

For information on how to list in directory, email us at airplay360@aol.com

November 2010

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THINK AHEAD! Seek Opportunity this

Holiday Season

BY ADRIAN ANDERSON

he holiday season is upon us, and if you planned wisely, it's going to be a fulfilling season indeed. Although to some it's early fall, please know that there is a reason the malls are already decorated for the holidays, and it’s also a time that you as an artist can make a lasting impact.

Because your songs have been out for awhile now, any new ears are good for expansion and advertising. You never know what blessing might await you.

Look for small gatherings that require music you can provide and hopefully Christmas songs are included in your musical selection. You can sing a few of your originals placed within your set.

Lend your talents to a local college and charity although you are blessing them.

You too shall be blessed.

Also attend holiday parties and connect with others. There are so many entrepreneurs out there and you should become familiar with as many as possible. Who knows? You may meet a business owner who compliments your own.

Be open, be flexible and be sure of the commitments you make. Be passionate, be purposed and always be kind.

Partner with another artist and create your own Holiday show! Invite other vendors to add to the experience.

Place a survey via the social networks asking your children which song of yours they like best. If they have never heard them allow them to do so.

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THINK, THINK, THINK because this will be the seeds to nurture a New Year.

Adrian Anderson is a motivational speaker, beauty entrepreneur and member of the multi-award winning urban inspirational trio Trin-i-tee 5:7. Follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/adriansmile.

www.jojowalkerproductions.com

INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE

Gospel Radio Stations Lead the Charge in Canada

BY KATHY GRANT

ospel Radio in Canada is, for all intents and purposes, still in its infancy. Although there have been programs on the air for over 20 years, in the country of Canada, gospel radio is still, at best, a child. Why, one may ask, is that so?

There are no fully dedicated 24 hour gospel radio stations in Canada. Currently, gospel radio exists largely on college stations, fully dedicated to serve as community radio stations, broadcasting a variety of programming directed at cultures, nationalities, ethnic groups, races, populations and religions Additionally, there are only a handful of commercial stations that have opened doors for Christian or gospel programming.

The longest running black gospel music program in Canada is University of Toronto’s Gospel Music Machine CIUT 89.5FM which represents the city of Toronto and the southern Ontario region. Courtney Williams, producer and co-host of the show, founded it in 1987. Every Sunday morning from 6-9 a.m., CIUT brings a variety of gospel genres. Certain other 24 hour Christian radio stations across Canada offer black gospel programming as well.

Leading that charge is CHRI 99.1 FM , the very first 24 hour Christian radio station launched in 1997 by Christian Hit Radio Inc. The program Gospel Groove was launched that year to service the black listening audience.

This four hour show includes a format of gospel sub-genres and is the exclusive Canadian radio affiliate of Sheilah Belle`s The Belle Report and Airplay 360 Radio.

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Kathy Grant is Host of Gospel Groove on Canada’s CHRI 99.1 FM

For information about airplay onFred CHRI 99.1 FM, Hammond email Gospel Groove at Kathy@kathygrant.org.

A one hour request period and interview time, allows more time to spotlight new music, artists and industry visionaries. Gospel Groove producer Johnny Blanks and associate producer, Kathy Grant have interviewed guests considered some of the who’s who in Gospel Music including Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones, Airplay 360`s Founder, Ace Alexander, former GMA President, John Styll, R&B Legend, James Ingram, Bunny DeBarge, Legendary TV & Broadway Actor, Clifton Davis, Sarah Dash (of the Labelles), Ricky Dillard, Earnest Pugh, The CNN of Gospel, Ms. Sheilah Belle and the list goes on and on. Gospel Groove magazine style programming has helped to propel CHRI to be the No. 1 Christian radio station in Canada as voted on by the Gospel Music Association of Canada (CGMA).

The launching of CHRI in 1997 opened the floodgates for other Christian radio stations to follow. In just 13 years, the number of 24 hour Christian radio stations has grown from one to 110. But there is still so much work to do.

In part two of this exposé, we explore Canadian gospel music radio in greater detail.

Stay tuned.

Kathy Grant is a gospel artist, radio and television host, CEO of KGM Enterprises and founder of Canadian Gospel Music Conference. She is a radio host on Canada’s CHRI 99.1 FM where she hosts a weekly Sunday program called Gospel Groove.