Christian Investment
You’ve heard about record labels investing millions of dollars into musicians in hopes of making hefty returns on hit singles and albums.
That’s why it’s called the music business.
But you never really read about religious singers, just by the very nature of their music, being regarded as major investments.
However, Christian artists aren’t exempt.
Even if their music promotes poverty and chastises greed, they’ve still got more money behind them than many Third World countries. Major labels are funneling millions of dollars into Christian artists, aggressively marketing them in an effort to sell their music to the masses.
A lot is riding on Nashville-based Christian singer Carman, several million dollars worth.
Jimmy Bowen, owner of mega-selling country label Liberty Records, purchased Christian independent label Sparrow and signed the multifaceted Carman as the label’s focal artist. Carman brings his “R.I.O.T. Tour” to the Spokane Arena tonight.
If you’re not familiar with Bowen, we have him to thank for Garth Brooks. Now he’s banking on Carman to do the same thing for Christian pop.
“I want Carman to do for Christian music what Garth did for country - bring it to the top of the mainstream charts,” Bowen told Shout! Magazine last year. “Christian music has the potential to be the biggest thing to hit the world since country music, and I want to be in the forefront of it all.”
It’s not surprising that Sparrow is placing a great deal of importance on Carman as he maintains the widest following of any Christian artist.
His recorded efforts have garnered him a string of gold records, including 1991’s “Addicted to Jesus” and 1995’s “R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of the Truth).” His concert videos have been met with platinum sales.
The veteran has filled stadiums. Two years ago, 71,132 people turned out for a concert at Dallas’ Texas Stadium, the largest attendance for a solo Christian concert in history.
“I stand before 1.5 million people a year in concert,” Carman, born Carman Dominic Licciardello, told the Washington Times earlier this year. “The only person with larger crowds in Christendom is Billy Graham. This is the generation that wants to let our voices be made known. This is the generation making the judgment calls on what’s right and wrong in the world.”
One of the reasons his concerts are so well attended is that the singer doesn’t believe in charging admission. Spokane is no exception. All through his 14-year career, he has relied solely on audience donations to keep his tours afloat. Sometimes, if a show doesn’t do particularly well, Carman will cover the cost out of his own pocket.
Another reason Carman commands a massive audience is not just because of his Christian agenda but the cross-section of styles he employs to carry it. He embellishes his Christian pop with shades of rock, country, funk, surf, jazz, blues, rap and techno.
Since releasing his 16th album last year, “R.I.O.T.,” Carman has been piloting an ambitious tour by the same name across the globe. The concert features all of the attributes of an arena-type show: state-of-the-art effects combined with a high-energy stage show that includes props and dancers.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT Carman plays the Spokane Arena Friday at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted.