GrapeVine - Just for Artists

New Podcast for Your Music

2009-10-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

Margo B. Smith brought this to our attention:

Just wanted to let you know about an opportunity to share your music. Deacon Tom Fox and his wife Dee are producing a wonderful podcast called Catholic Vitamins. This apostolate will help Catholics to grow in their faith.

Please only submit songs that you have the copyrights to and are willing to give him the permission to play on his podcast for free. There are no royalties or payments for having your music played on the podcast, but Deacon Tom or Dee will give you a mention on either the podcast or the Catholic Vitamins web site.

If you would like to submit any of your music to them for possible use on their podcast please contact Deacon Tom at his email address tmdjfox@msn.com.

Click here to visit their website.

Radio Teopoli to add Catholic music to its programming

2009-07-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Radio Teopoli, AM530 from Toronto, Ontario, CANADA will be adding a regular music to their station's programming beginning with a full hour of music promotion from everywhere around Toronto and the world on Friday, July 31st. Interviews with Catholic music artists will be featured.

Interviews can be live or pre-recorded. To request the opportunity for an interview, artists should contact Laura Cirami @ laura.cirami@gmail.com.

Artists are invited to maill their CDs to the following address to have their music included in the rotation on Radio Teopoli. It is suggested first to email the station at radioteopoli@gmail.com to inquire about granting permission for the music to be played on the station. The mailing address is:
Radio Teopoli
Attention: Laura Cirami
1775 Islington Ave.
Etobicoke, Ontario, M9P3N2

Artists are also invited to email the station and send mp3 files to radioteopoli@gmail.com. You are asked not to email mp3s to the station unsolicited but rather to write first to introduce yourself and inquire about the granting of permission to have your music played.

Radio Teopoli has an active blog titled "Building A Civilization of Love" every Friday - www.radioteopoli.blogspot.com. The official website is www.teopoli.org where you can listen live and see the schedule of shows.

A new artist shares his first tour experience

2009-07-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

Editor’s note: Nineteen year old Matt Di Filipo embarked on his first tour over the spring and summer with Dan Duet. He shares his experiences sharing his music with congregations and during retreats. It is hoped this blog will inspire other artists and they seek to share the Good News through their music.

My tour experiences

Before I began I would like to thank Dan Duet for the opportunity to travel on tour with him. He has been working with me and mentoring me in music and it was an honor to minister with him. Thank you Dan.

My experiences of the road and being on tour will be with me for the rest of my life.

Getting the privilege to minister through music to Gods people was life changing. I have done a lot of music ministry in my home town of San Antonio, but actually getting out to other parts of the country was an incredible ministering experience.

I got to meet people from all walks of life and from all corners of the country. Everybody had their own stories to tell and struggles they faced. Being able to bring healing to some of them with music was so humbling to me. It was a confirmation that God was using me through the music he inspired me to write.

There were many challenges that we faced, such as churches canceling on us at the last minute. With every challenge or obstacle that we encountered we learned how to get around it and make it better for the future. This tour was a great experience to build off of and each tour that I go on I will be able to keep improving musically and spiritually.

What I really enjoyed was the unity among Catholics. I have lived my entire life in San Antonio and have only experienced the churches there. I knew that the Catholic faith was connected and unified, but by actually going out on the road traveling from church to church I could actually see the unity.

Volunteering at John Michael Talbot’s monastery was an experience of its own. Dan and I worked during the day and then in the evenings we would perform our concerts or enjoy the beauty of the Little Portion Retreat Center. While we worked at the monastery I gained a better understanding of how much faith it takes to live a life in a monastic way. I got to witness the challenges of living off the land. The way they sustain themselves and how they devote their lives to God ministered to me in ways that I can’t even describe.

We arranged the tour to where we were able to do some site seeing. Mt. Rushmore and the St. Louis Arch were some of the highlights. Also, while we were in St. Louis we got to meet fellow CAM (Catholic Association of Music) members Matthew Baute (WLP recording artist) and Sally Bolderson. They came out and supported us at one of our concerts. Another CAM member, Fr. Kent O’Connor, hosted us in Sabetha, Kansas. He also accompanied us during the concert on some of the songs. A special highlight for me on the trip was when Fr. Kent played his mandolin with me on my song, “Jubilee”.

I am only 19 and I have gotten to tour all over the Midwest playing music for God, sharing experiences and seeing the country. I learned so much on how much it takes to put on a concert and to run a ministry. It really is hard, but more importantly it is fulfilling. I can hardly wait until next year.

Here is a video of Matt performing:

Classical Performance Opportunitiesfor Young Women

2009-05-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

Music Based Evangelization Opportunities
Saint Cecilia Classical Productions Inc.

Proclaiming the faith through the medium of beautiful music Do you like to sing or can you play an instrument well? Do you enjoy sharing your Catholic faith with others? Would you like to make a difference in someone’s life?

Saint Cecilia Classical Productions Inc., a new, music-based, Catholic, evangelization apostolate. We are an orthodox, lay-operated organization whose principle focus is the advancement of the Culture of Life by the promotion of authentic Catholic family values to today’s young people.

To do this we need traditional Catholic young women who wish to use their musical talents and knowledge of the faith to make a difference in the lives of our youth. We are beginning our Spring talent search for Catholic young ladies of exceptional music ability in the areas of classical or contemporary voice (alto or soprano), string or wind instruments. While not a requirement, acting, dance, music theater or public speaking experience would be an additional plus. Some knowledge of Latin would also be helpful.

Performing in small vocal ensembles, these young ladies will take the principles of our Catholic faith and "multiply", so to speak, their effect through the medium of music: quality music performed by women of character, modesty, and grace. Through their own good example, and the witness they give, they will promote the virtues of true womanhood and authentic Catholic family life to today’s young people.

High school juniors & seniors, college age women or recent graduates, especially those with degrees in music, are encouraged to apply. Home-schooled individuals or those who were raised in the Tridentine Mass tradition are also most welcome. This is a great opportunity to become involved in Catholic apologetics while increasing the knowledge of one’s own faith.

Our basic requirements are: a strong music background in one’s chosen field; a sound knowledge of basic Catholic teachings; faithfulness to the Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Church; a strong devotion to Our Lady and the Rosary; and a good understanding and appreciation of the Church’s teaching on modesty and the proper role of women in society. Interested young ladies may mail or e-mail (preferred) their résumé with repertoire and salary requirements to:

Mrs. Julie Baltrinic: Assistant Director
St. Cecilia Classical Productions Inc.
P.O. Box 129, Green, Ohio 44232

info@saintceciliaclassicalproductions.org

For more information about our work and requirements, please visit our web site at:
www.saintceciliaclassicalproductions.org

Saint Cecilia Classical Productions Inc. is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) public charity.
We were organized exclusively for religious, educational and charitable purposes

Overview of our purpose

Throughout all of history, the family has been the basic unit of any enduring society. In many of his writings, Pope John Paul II consistently stressed the importance of strong family life. If we are to be successful in creating the new Culture of Life that this Pope spoke of so often, there must be an authentic spiritual renewal of the family and this renewal must start with the youth of today, for it is they who will be the foundations of the families of tomorrow. The focus of our ministry can be divided into four key areas of concern.

Basic Church teachings – Many Catholics today have little understanding of how their faith should permeate their lives and their interaction with our society. They have been assimilated into our secular culture to such an extent, that they no longer posses a Catholic identity. This point was recently emphasized by Archbishop Charles Chaput in his address at the University of Toronto this past February. He said: “…. The Church in the United States has done a poor job of forming the faith and conscience of Catholics for more than 40 years. And now we're harvesting the results -- in the public square, in our families and in the confusion of our personal lives”. It is essential then, that our young people have a solid foundation in their faith so that they will be able to recognize and challenge the false values of today’s world.

Increased education on pro-life issues – The goal here is to inspire and enable, through education, teens and young adults to be effective pro-life leaders committed to building a Culture of Life by spreading Christ’s message of love, hope and forgiveness to other young people. Essential to this task is the fostering of a good spiritual life with emphasis on personal holiness through prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments.

Dignity of Women – In our society today, respect for women is at an all time low. This loss of dignity for women has also been accompanied by a corresponding breakdown in the stability of the family. If there is to be a genuine renewal of family life in our country, it is essential that women rediscover the grace and beauty of their femininity and realize the importance of the role that God has planned for them from the beginning.

The Need for good positive role models – America’s News and Entertainment Industry, in all its various forms, is having a tragic effect on the lives of young people, especially girls and young women. When a young person looks around at our society today, what do they see in the way of good positive role models? Very little! Every form of media, including television, movies, magazines, internet, music etc, all assault our youth and try to lead them away from God.

To help counter these problems, our strategy is to use entertainment groups of orthodox, Catholic, young women who can be good role models for today’s youth, and, at the same time, impart the truths of the faith to them. Performing in small vocal ensembles, these young ladies will take the principles of our Catholic faith, as well as the ideals put forth by Pope John Paul II in his writings on the family and "multiply", so to speak, their effect through the medium of music: quality music performed by women of character, modesty, and grace. Through their own good example, and the witness they give, they will promote the virtues of true womanhood and authentic Catholic family life to today’s young people.

To all of the above, we would add one final note. The task of reclaiming America for Christ is a formidable one, and no one person or organization can accomplish this alone. But with all of us working together, and encouraged by our Lord’s words that, “with God all things are possible”, we can make a difference. Again, in the words of Archbishop Chaput of Denver: “If pagan Rome could be won for Jesus Christ, surely we can do the same in our own world. What it takes is the zeal and courage to live what we claim to believe.” Let us pray that God will make it so.

St. Cecilia Classical Productions Inc. P.O. Box 129, Green, Ohio 44232

info@saintceciliaclassicalproductions.org

www.saintceciliaclassicalproductions.org

Triplestrand Productions

2009-05-25T05:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a good radio promotion opportunity for contemporary Christian and country Christian music - Triplestrand Productions. Dixie and Derek McCorkell are the proprietors of www.triplestrandproductions.com and their aim is to promote independent artists. The website features several internet radio programs including TSP Country Radio, Into The Light, True Spirit Powered Radio, All Folked Up, TSP Americana Christian Country and more.

Here is some information on Triplestrand from their website:

"Triplestrand Productions Radio Airplay Promotions offer great value for money for the Independent Country Artist. Unlike many Compilation CD companies, Triplestrand asks only a modest per track fee, not the hundreds that many others look for. Plus you can rely on the fact that your song will be in good company as every song submitted is reviewed prior to insertion on a CD. This method of quality control puts Triplestrand in good stead as many DJs and Music Directors have commented on the consistent quality contained on TSP discs.

Our discs service hundreds of DJs worldwide and are sent out every calendar month. Tracks are limited to a maximum of 20 tracks per disc with a 2 track maximum per artist so no one artist can dominate any given CD. We try to keep the playing field as level as possible for everybody.

We also endeavor to ensure that each CD contains a good mix of all Country sub genres (Traditional, New Country, Gospel, Bluegrass, etc.) so that DJs are not struggling to accommodate playing tracks. Most CDs contain a majority of original material though occasionally we do allow a cover song (only if all releases have been obtained by the artist). Under no circumstances will we included uncleared material for copyright purposes.

Triplestrand also states that we will , , , never claim the rights to any material submitted - these will remain the sole possesion of the artist or copyright holder. Our CDs are strictly promotional and on a non- xclusive basis. Artists are free to do whatever they wish with their material outside of Triplestrand at any time.

During our first year of promotions Triplestrand Productions has amassed over 50,000 plays on radio for Artists utilizing our promotional services.

Triplestrand Productions Compilation CDs

The cost of getting your music on a TSP comp CD is minimal - just $90 per track . For this you get included on the next/current volume which will be sent out usually mid month to DJs for inclusion in their station's rotation. You will also receive a copy of the CD that you are featured on by mail. Your track will automatically be included in the playlist rotation of our own Radio Shows which are produced weekly and syndicated with an ever growing number of stations most of which do not use current Comp CDs.

We will construct a multi page mini website where potential fans can get to know a bit about you and hear songs that possibly are not on our CDs, widening your appeal. Full contact info will be presented on your mini site, and linkage to your own website (if you have one), and info on where to buy your CD if you have one for sale."

This opportunity presented itself to me because Dixie used a song of mine she found through the Podsafe Music Network which provides music freely to podcasts - your submission of music on Podsafe grants this permission).

Try out Triplestrand Productions for promoting your music to radio.

Lynn Geyer remembers Bernie Klein

2009-03-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

Bernie Klein passed away on March 15, 2009, having been in recovery from a massive heart attack. Lynn Geyer, president of the Catholic Association of Music, fondly remembers Bernie and all the tireless work he did for Catholic Music. Ed.

Bernard Joseph Klein died on Sunday, March 15, 2009. He was born May 25, 1945 in Bogotá, Colombia to Leticia Velandia Klein and the late Henry Charles Klein. He was a resident of New Orleans for most of his life before moving to Mandeville in 1987. The beloved husband of Judy Landrieu Klein, he is survived by two sons, Christian Bernard and Benjamin Joseph Klein; four daughters: Kerry Lynn, Kara Christine, Alexandra Carle and Gabrielle Reider Klein; his brother, Henry L. Klein; one sister, Hedy Klein Boelte; three grandchildren: James Gabriel Hicks, Kaylie Elizabeth and Emily Kristina Klein and his daughter-in-law, Lisa Vineyard Klein. He was preceded in death by his son Marshall Bernard Klein, the son of Marsha Rector Klein.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral mass on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 11:30 AM from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte St., Mandeville, LA 70448. Visiting hours at the church will begin at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow services at the Benedictine Cemetery on the grounds of St. Joseph Abbey. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, LA has been entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Comunita Cenacolo America, 1050 Talleyrand Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32206. Sign the family Guest Book online at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

Remembering Bernie Klein
Lynn Geyer, President, Catholic Association of Music (CAM)

Well, Bernie’s gone. I am so very sad because, while I only knew him for 3 or 4 years, I think I knew him as well as any music/business friend I’ve ever had. I really believe he was a closet New Yorker. He handled himself with self assurance that may have bordered occasionally on arrogance. But nobody really cared; he was Bernie. He had a terrifically wry sense of sarcastic humor and had NO trouble telling anybody exactly what was on his mind. He could temper it and be diplomatic if he knew that was how the game needed to be played but mostly from what I knew, he shot straight from the hip.

He would get a huge kick out of the fact that all these years I thought he was around 10- 12 years younger than I am. You cannot imagine my surprise when I learned just yesterday that he was 3 years older! He didn’t have a lot of hair :o) but he was so young at heart it made him ageless. He must be laughing at how he had me fooled.

He worked very hard for his daughter Kara’s music ministry, devoting most of his energy to her recordings and videos. He knew she was the real deal. He worked tirelessly to produce top quality projects and then even more tirelessly, to get Kara and her songs “out there”. He always spoke warmly about his daughter and how remarkable he thought she was. He was as proud as any Dad could be.

About 2 weeks prior to Kara’s 2007 performance at Carnegie Hall Bernie had a heart “episode” and landed in the hospital. It was decided a stent would be inserted. Instead of
resting, Bernie came north with his entire family in tow and spent Christmas in NY. Did anyone think for one second that he would not be sitting in the audience to see Kara sing at Carnegie Hall? From the stage Kara paid a moving tribute to her Dad and his resolve, dedicating Ave Maria just to him. Everyone blessed to be there was moved. He spoke of it repeatedly as one of the happiest moments of his life.

He rose to every occasion, offering unconditional unpaid assistance to those who needed his business acumen. He offered to host the 2008 Unity Awards Show in New Orleans and in typical Bernie style, made it his own. In the ten year history of the UCMVA, this was the best attended and most successful of all. He was hoping to convince the Board of the UCMVA to hold the event every year in New Orleans and generously volunteered to head it up forevermore. He spoke to me on numerous occasions of having the CAM conference tie into the event. He believed offering the 2 events as one would really help develop a more positive focus on Catholic music. Always thinking, always striving to make things better.

In our faith we know Bernie’s absence from us is temporary and we also know, according to God’s word, that all of Bernie’s work here on earth was finished. God would not have taken him otherwise. In the sorrow of loss and missing him we have that beautiful and certain ray of light that shines: “I’ll see you later”. Bernie is rejoicing in Heaven with his son, Marshall, and all the angels and saints. He is healthy and enjoying his new life!

Good old Bernie, snuck around to the front of the line, getting to Heaven first, carving a path for the rest of us to follow when our work here is also through. Thanks for everything, Dear Friend; we will all miss you but look forward to seeing you again! And next time it’ll be forever!

Opportunity Knocks:25th Annual Marion Song Festival

2009-01-27T17:51:00.000-08:00

25th Annual Marion Song Festival
Guatemala City, Guatemala Central America

To strengthen the spiritual growth, promote the art and creativity through the Blessed Virgin Mary, and intensify the Union of all artists, musicians, praise and worshipers. AGENDA
March 5
Arrival in Guatemala
March 6
Coexistence Xetulul Theme Park Visit
March 7
Retreat Taught by Special Guests
March 8
SONG OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL MARIANA
March 8
Antigua Guatemala
March 9
Depart for home: La Aurora International Airport

Registration is via the Internet through our e-mail nuestroseventos@eventoscatolicos.net
Requirements for registration World
• Registration Form
• Lyrics of Song
• CD with the song
• Photography
The songs and material provided in the registration becomes part of the heritage EVENTS CATOLICOS for broadcast globally.
The International Selection Hearing must be public and is convened in each country by the representative of Events Catolicos. Information phone (502) 23820222 Ext. 112

THE PARTICIPANTS
Participants can participate only once.
Soloists, Duos, Trios and Quartets

THE SONG
The song must be original and unpublished and not exceed 4 minutes
The theme for this year is: FREE

THE ACCOMPANYING
The only musical accompaniment is professional track on CD
The CD should be the only professional track of the runway to be used in the World Festival of Song Mariana
JURY
Events Catolicos jury appointed as the representatives of the World Song Festival for his acknowledged expertise Mariana artistic, musical, and spiritual songs to choose 5 winners

THE PRIZES
Sculptures are given to the five winning songs.

Events Catolicos provides all facilities to assist the representative and interpreter, providing lodging, meals and transportation from their arrival until their departure from Guatemala City

Each country must sponsor the cost of air transport and interpret its representative to the World Song Festival Mariana

Each representative should send the song in mp3 format by email nuestroseventos@eventoscatolicos.net

Each country could interpret the song in their native language and send the translation to English language

Eventos Catolicos Contacts:
Antonio Rodriguez 011-502-5-657-7386/011-502-2-382-0222/ Speaks only Spanish
Orlando Coronado 011-502-2-382-0200/ Speaks only Spanish
English speaking Contacts:
Rogelio Chaper rogeliochaper@yahoo.com.mx
Dr. Francisco Jose Valdes 011-502-2-474-1952/011-502-5-208-9464 karlucci@gua.net
Juan Pablo Casteneda jupablocas@gmail.com jupablocas@hotmail.com
Irenne Coronado 011-502-2-473-1561 irecrima@yahoo.com

North American contact:
Denis Grady 403-243-1046 denis.grady@shaw.ca

Music Mission Seeks Artists

2009-01-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Franciscan & Friends Music Mission is looking for talented musicians with a heart for service to join them on month-long tour of Barbados, Bequia, Grenada and other Caribbean islands during the month of November. There is more information about the organization at their website, http://www.franciscanandfriends.com/

Here is the tour schedule for the Franciscan & Friends 2009 Music Mission :

Wed. Nov. 4 Depart for Barbados/Westjet
Thurs. Nov. 5 Orientation/Barbados
Fri. Nov. 6, 9am School/2pm Verdun/6pm Street Ministry
Sat. Nov. 7,6pm Benefit Concert, St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Sun. Nov. 8, Depart for St. Vincent, Bequia
Mon. Nov. 9, 9am Schools Bequia
Tues. No.10, 9am Schools, 6pm Street Concert, Bequia
Wed. Nov.11 Depart for Kingstown St. Vincent, 2pm Mental Home,
Thur. Nov. 12 St. Benedict’s Orphanage, Georgetown
Fri. Nov. 13, 10am Lewis Punnett Home,7pm Street Concert
Sat. Nov.14 Depart for Carriacou via St. George’s, Grenada/Flight
Sun. Nov. 15 Carriacou
Mon. Nov. 16 Carriacou
Tues. Nov. 17 Carriacou
Wed. Nov. 18 Depart for St. George’s via Ferry
Thur. Nov. 19 St. George’s
Fri. Nov. 20, 7pm Blessed Sacrament Concert, St. George’s
Sat. Nov. 21 6pm St. Martin’s Crochu
Sun. Nov. 22 6pm, St. Andrew’s, Grenville
Mon. Nov. 23 Depart for Barbados
Tues. Nov. 24 Depart for Home

Please contact Denis Grady at Denis.Grady@shaw.ca for more information and if you are interested in receiving an official invitation to join this tour.

Commentary - what can we as Catholic artists learn from The Priests?

2008-12-15T12:58:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, Sony/BMG has invested over $2 million in a project known as The Priests. By the grace of God, soon an interview and review of the album will appear on the GrapeVine website. In the meantime, I'm doing some prep and decided to look up customer reviews to see comments from listeners to this project. I found them to be quite interesting and it made me wonder what we, as artists, and as a community promoting the idea of Catholic music, can learn from The Priests.

Read the reviews and then, please, comment. Let's have a lively discussion about this: http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B001DAYA6Q/ref=cm_cr_pr_link_prev_1?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Nick Alexander talks about using the New Media to promote your music

2008-08-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

Nick Alexander, the co-founder of TopCatholicSongs.com shares his experiences with using the New Media to expose and promote Catholic music to the world. In his talk he details the innovation behind TopCatholicSongs and how this website has changed the way artists expose their music, using both the new Media (iTunes and iMixes) and old (print advertising).

This presentation was given during the Catholic Association of Music (CAM) annual conference and retreat in June of 2008.

© Copyright 2008 GrapeVine. Permission to copy or reprint this story must be obtained by writing to susan@gvonline.net. Used by permission.

Essential marketing tips from a seasoned, full-time music minister (mp3 file)

2008-07-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

NOTE: This talk is now available on the player to your right. Simply click on it to listen.

A big part of music ministry is marketing. There are many techniques an artist can employ from the latest technology (the web) to old fashioned standards (the phone). Any artist who is serious must be comfortable using the phone to inquire about potential gigs. Denis Grady, international director for the Catholic Association of Music (CAM) recently shared his marketing expertise at CAM's annual conference. This is a recording of an hour-long talk by someone who has used many marketing techniques successfully to fuel a full-time ministry that has lasted several years. At the beginning of the talk, he even demonstrates his phone skills by making an actual (successful) cold call!

This file is approximately 24 megs in size. Download here.
Tip: if you want to skip over the introduction and opening remarks, start playing the file about 3 minutes in where it begins with the cold call.

Note: if this file may not play on your portable mp3 player as it is not 44.1Hz. It will, however, play just fine on the computer.

Check out the Artist Videos for a video featuring Denis Grady.

Editor's note: Denis' talk is just one example of the wonderful presentations by dedicated professionals at the annual CAM Conference. CAM was founded by world-renowned Catholic recording artist John Michael Talbot of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity; each year the conference is held at their Little Portion Retreat Center in Eureka Springs, AR. The conference features talks by music professionals (many of whom are CAM members) who have an intimate knowledge of the business of music, coupled with a mature and lively faith.

There are many organizations in Catholic music that bring artists together and help them with their ministries. What sets CAM apart is its spiritual foundation, being associated with the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.

Listening to a sampling of CAM talks on the internet gives you just a taste of what to expect from a conference. You have to go to partake of the whole experience. There is nothing that equals time spent in fellowship with other artists, sharing triumphs and trials together, networking, and most of all, building friendships that will support you with companionship and prayer. Visit the CAM website to see what a typical conference offers, and considering joining CAM to become a part of this vibrant community of people who believe in Catholic music.

I have been a member of CAM for many years and have had the privilege of attending a conference. I heartily endorse this organization.
© Copyright 2008 GrapeVine. Permission to copy or reprint this story must be obtained by writing to susan@gvonline.net. Used by permission.

An artist shares his experiences going full-time

2008-07-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

Dan Dúet from San Antonio, TX, recently decided to quite his full-time corporate job in order to focus full-time on music ministry. We all know how difficult it is to support oneself, let alone a family on full-time music ministry. Dan recently shared his experiences with the Catholic Association of Music community about the progress he was making as a music minister and agreed to let GrapeVine post his message. I believe his "nuggets of knowledge" and "words of wisdom" are very worthwhile for any artist to read, even artists that are part-time.

When I announced that I would be doing my first-ever concert tour, and that I had quit my corporate job in order to focus on this as a full-time vocation, I received numerous private e-mails from others involved in music ministry who have been praying about taking that step into the great unknown, leave behind an existing career, and give this whole music thing a go. I want to share a few thoughts, lessons learned, nuggets of knowledge, words of wisdom. (OK, the wisdom part might be pushing it a bit...)

1. I only quit my career because I was called to do this full time. Just like some are called to use their music to reach the youth specifically and others are not, or some are called to focus on liturgical use of their musical gifts while others may be called to contemporary usage, leaving behind the security of a corporate or other full-time career must have as its foundation, a calling to do it. If I were not so firmly convicted of this calling, I would still be in corporate America and wisely so.

2. If #1 is in place, tons of prayer is a must. TONS. And I have found that as important as my own prayer is for my ministry, perhaps even more important is the prayer of so many people around me. I am "too close" to my ministry that sometimes I lose focus of what I should be praying for. Having others around me who can see "from the outside looking in" keeps me grounded.

3. If #1 and #2 are in place, then total surrender to God. Period. Total surrender.

4. On the road I have learned that there are Catholic churches that are uninterested in contemporary Christian music, while others are hungry for it. When I consider churches in a diocese, I do not simply go down the list of churches and call each one. I do as much research (mostly via websites) on potential parishes before I make a call. There a many parishes I skipped after reading through the website. That is not meant as a negative, just the reality of the parish. For instance, I go to a website and find that a parish has five weekend Masses, and four of them are in a language other then English, I'm probably not going to benefit that parish very much. I do have to say that one parish I marked off my list b/c the tone of the information on the website indicated to me that the parish had no interest in following the teachings of the Roman Catholic church. Had I thought the Holy Spirit was leading me to go there, I would have called them. However, I did not find myself with any intense inclination to go there so I chose not to contact them, whether or not that was the right thing to do can be debated; its simply what I chose to do (or not do).

5. Be prepared for long hours on the telephone contacting parishes, but do not be afraid. At CAM, Denis Grady did a great job of showing us how he does a "cold call". I was heartened to see that it was very similar to how I do mine. I've contacted well over 300 parishes in the past four months alone and probably 99% of them had very nice people on the other end of the line. Only a couple had the dreaded "church lady" and only one had a very disinterested (and blunt) pastor. All-in-all, I've been treated with a great deal of respect when I speak to persons who work on the staff of parishes.

7. The big question others had been asking me: can you make a living???? If #1 above is checked off, then the answer is YES. God would not call someone to go out and do something like this if He did not intend to take care of them. While I am having some financial struggles unrelated to leaving my corporate job, I am finding that the audiences are generally very generous and even though I am not charging a stipend, most pastors are making a donation to my ministry. As others have previously posted in the past few months, be prepared both musically and spiritually, provide an evening of music and ministry that is meaningful, and the audience will show its appreciation. Just trust in God to take care of the needs.

8. What will I do differently when this tour is over? Now that I am "paying my dues" so-to-speak, by working hard to get my music "out there", and seeing that it is generally well-received, I may begin asking for a minimal stipend as well as a love offering to offset costs and add revenue to the ministry. Additionally, I will seek out even more advice from those who are "veterans" at this kind of living. I will pray more. And I will stock up on duct tape! lol.

These are just some things that have worked for me. If this can benefit anyone in the group, then praise be God. You may be called in a different way, or to do things differently. In the end, the question I ask myself after a concert is: was Jesus Christ glorified tonight in a meaningful manner? If so, it was a good night. If not, I need to look into my heart for some honest answers.

The experience has been awesome up to this point. I am staying with relatives outside of St. Louis and have a concert at Immaculate Conception in Arnold, MO, on Sunday evening at 7pm. Last night I was a guest at a Revival at a local Pentecostal church! What a great experience. The pastor had one of my CD's in his hand when I arrived! He invited me to sing before the main speaker came on. They didn't have a guitar and I didn't bring one since I did not expect to be asked to sing, so I did a meditational version of "Let the Fire Fall", acapella. It was a great experience. I let them know upfront that I am a devout Roman Catholic and they didn't even dunk me in the baptismal pool!! And they asked me to share my testimony. What a great feeling to be praising God with my Pentecostal brothers and sisters, and I did not feel compelled to remain in the "Catholic closet"!!

The concert tour will end on Saturday, July 12 [2008], at St. Justin Martyr in Houston. Please keep me and this ministry in your prayers.

Peace in Jesus,

Dan

Dan Dúet
www.danduet.com (ministry and contact info)
www.myspace.com/danduet (free music samples)
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