Independent Artists.... Here are a couple of things that you should keep in mind in 2016.

1. Don't do anything without a plan and make sure your plan has an exit.
2. Don't do paid showcases unless it is an extension of your already booming marketing strategy. Gospel showcases are not going to break you as an artist. They are designed to give you exposure so stop treating them like they are the "end all, be all" in your life.
3. Use videos in Social Media for exposure but take it a step further this year. Take some online classes and study how to effectively market and promote your self on Social Media.
4. Master your craft if this is what you are supposed to do. Some of us aren't that good at what we profess to be our ministry. There is a difference between a singer and an artist. You need to figure it out.
5. Find out what you are really good at in music ministry and "Do It". Stop trying to be everything to everybody. There are people who have been assigned to support you but you need to be in the right place musically and with your marketing/promotion for them to find you.
6. Know this.... Church music is coming back. People are soon going to come back to music with a strong message and strong harmonies People are going to start desiring meat instead of milk again. Church choirs and directors need music that the average choir can sing. If you write music like that then you need to start gathering up your songs because "ITS COMING BACK".
7. Radio isn't everything. In 2015 I produced two records in the Billboard Top 10 sales chart that received very little Gospel Radio airplay. Keep this in mind before you spend your mortgage on a prominent radio promoter.
8. Start submitting your songs to conferences like the GMWA, Thomas Dorsey Convention, Hampton Ministers Conference, Edwin Hawkins Seminar and other smaller conventions. Your songs will go a lot farther when directors are taking them back home singing them in church. You need a holistic plan when marketing your music ministry.
9. Turn your heart back to God and off of popularity. in my opinion, Reality shows have ruined our passion for being ministers and caused us to desire stardom. We don't desire excellence and we want to be the next sensation instead of spreading the Gospel through music. Let us all go back to what makes "Gospel" "Gospel".
10. Come together in your city with other Independent aritsts and Pastors and figure out how to maximize your buying and selling potential amoung those who are buying Gospel Music. The one thing I have realized is that we can do a lot more unified then we can apart.
www.indiegospelalliance.com

Gospel Music Less Enjoyable

I had an epiphany this morning. Gospel Music has become less enjoyable because everything has to be perfect now. Every vocal, every instrument line, every outfit, every overdub, the crowd response, even your praise has to look a certain way before SOME people perceive you as anointed. Every song has to have a drum loop to sound professional and it is a catastrophe to have a song over 5 minutes these days. Wow times have changed. I can remember the imperfections in Gospel Music, in the past, that made hits. Those songs that were just good because the melodic line spiritually synchronized with the message made your soul jump for joy. Not really complaining because I like what I hear today but the idea that somehow this is "BETTER QUALITY MUSIC" is absolutely wrong.




                                                                                                                   




                                                                                                                Phillip Carter

Indie Artists Supporting Other Indie Artists

Over and over again I see Indie artists supporting "A" list artists and they celebrate them for their accomplishments and purchase tickets to see them but willingly and intentionally overlook, downplay and sometime demean the artists who live, sing, work and fellowship in their own area. It's a sickness supported by the distorted idea the the "Big Name Artists" are somehow more worthy, gifted and better than your local colleagues who may or may not have big contracts, marketing and promotion teams. It's very sad and incurable.

Phillip Carter Exclusive Library Release

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Stellar Award Winner Phillip Carter Tapped As First Gospel Artist With An Exclusive Music Release In The Public Library System

New CD, Songs of Phillip Carter, Available On Wednesday, May 13, 2015

(Washington, DC) – May 13, 2015 – Many know Gospel artist Phillip Carter as the leader of Stellar Award-winning ensemble, Phillip Carter & SOV.  Others recognize him as the owner of the Gospel record label, SOV, Inc., and still others are familiar with him as the co-visionary of the annual Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference held each July in Chesapeake, VA.  Now Carter will also be known as the first Gospel artist to have his music exclusively available in the public library system through Altavoz Entertainment.

Altavoz is making the artist’s Songs of Phillip Carter the first exclusive library release of a musical recording via the Public Library system.  Instead of getting it first online or at a store, fans of Carter’s music can visit their local library to hear this new music from the world renowned Gospel artist, musician, and producer.  Songs of Phillip Carter will be available digitally on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 with the full CD dropping later this fall.

According to Nelson Jacobsen, CEO of Altavoz Entertainment, “This is really taking Keith Richard’s ‘the public library is the great equalizer’ idea and going the next step by rewarding the library with exclusive content, and the library users and music fans with the chance to hear new music for free.”

Carter is excited about the partnership as well.  He says, "This is the first release of its kind and a ‘win, win’ for the Gospel Community as people are looking for new ways to expose people to Gospel Music.  I, along with my company, SOV, Inc., are ecstatic and grateful about the opportunity to be exclusively released in the library system".

This Altavoz Entertainment release from SOV, Inc.’s The Songs of Phillip Carter will be digitally available via Hoopla Digital and physically available from Midwest Tape.  Since this is the first of its kind project, Altavoz has teamed up with new crowdfunding and micropayment solution provider, JETCO Research, to enable the DO U LUV it tiny campaign on its website.  To raise awareness on social media, use the hashtag, #exclibrary, on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.

About SOV, Inc. | Phillip Carter

SOV, Inc. is the record imprint and home to Stellar Award Winner Phillip Carter.  He has rapidly risen to national and international acclaim status as a gifted and anointed gospel recording artist, prolific songwriter, accomplished musician, talented producer, and noted workshop facilitator.  Phillip Carter and his group, Sounds of Victory (SOV), are the 2010 Stellar Award Winners for Fan Favorite Choir of the Year.  Phillip also produced the 2010 Stellar Award Winner for Children’s Performance of the Year, “Amazing”, by Dr. Emory Andrews and the Oxon Hill High School Gospel Choir.  Carter earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education with a Concentration in Piano and Minor in Voice from Bowie State University.  While attending college, he served as the Director of the Bowie State University Gospel Choir and Assistant Director of the Howard University Gospel Choir. For more than a decade, Carter has touched the lives of many young people as a music and choral teacher as well as a mentor at public schools in Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland.  Carter currently teaches Music and Computer Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia. Phillip Carter is co-founder of the highly successful Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference.  For more information, log on to www.sovministries.com or www.indiegospelalliance.com.

About Altavoz

Altavoz is an independent, full-service entertainment distributor offering a wide range of physical and digital distribution, marketing and payment solutions.  Altavoz ensures artists and producers have access to a unique array of traditional and out‐of-the‐box distribution channels and are creatively promoted so they can build their presence, make their mark, and earn a living – all with a social conscience via our Help Earth Foundation.  Altavoz is a subsidiary of Max Media Group, Inc. (OTC - MXMI).  For more information, visit www.Altavoz.com.

Publicity:

Andrea R. Williams

Tehillah Enterprises, LLC

info@tehillahpr.com

240.222.3022

Independent Artists and Awards (A Flawed Mindset)

Despite the best efforts of many in the Indie Community to help the many of you in your philosophy and strategy into promoting your career, most of you would rather win an award(doesn’t matter which one) then to have a long sustained satisfying career. You would rather a one night stand then a long lasting relationship. I have been down that road and suffered greatly because of that flawed Industry mindset. That mindset can be emotionally devastating and financially crushing as you eagerly pursue fame and stardom. Awards are good if you truly earned it. Otherwise you will spend the rest of your life defending why you received it.

You may not admit it to your supporters and in your concerts when you tell lies like "I only want to please God" and "I'm not in it for this or for that" but deep down you really want to be "The Man" , "The Women" or “The Group” in Christian music and that's okay. Admit it and then realize what it takes to get there if you REAALLY want it.  I have discovered that on order for me to make it to that level I really don't need to have a wife and two small children right now. I need to be single and able to travel without hindrance. Well It's not worth it to me. However I have also discovered that I can have a VERY MEANINGFUL career but galvanizing my supporters and friends in all that I do musically which in turn yields me great results and a certain satisfaction that my efforts in the Kingdom have meaning.

Now this blog is not for you overly spiritual people who have the perfect relationship with God and can hear his voice and are perfectly satisfied in him. This is for those of you who have an expected goal in the Gospel Music Industry and are laboring to meet it. This post is for those of you who realize that the Lord has gifted and anointed you for service but you somehow lose your way, in the process of fulfilling Gods purpose for your life, due to your need to be famous and wanted.

Somewhere down the line, in your Christian walk, you will discover that just being able to sing, play, dance, preach etc. in the Kingdom of God is success enough but it takes a while and sometimes longer than that for most of us to get to that point. In the meantime we press on towards one goal or another.  If you truly want a successful career in Christian music ask God to surround you with people who need what you have to offer and their you will find your true ministry and success.

Sincerely,

Phillip Carter

Independent Gospel Artists Alliance BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND SALE

The 6th Annual Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference will be like no other and here's your chance to be a part!!
The IGAA Conference BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND SALE is your opportunity to take advantage of what will be a "game-changing" experience for $50 down. You can pay the rest in installments! And when you register THIS WEEKEND ONLY, you will be eligible to win a trip to the 2016 Stellar Awards!! That's right -- WIN AIRFARE, HOTEL, and 2 TICKETS to the 2016 Stellar Awards!!
Please visit the IGAA Conference website to see a list of the 2015 GENERAL ARTIST TRACK sessions, and as well as ELITE ARTIST TRACK sessions for advanced artists and labels to be held next July.
New Features for 2015 include:
1.) NEW MUSIC SEMINAR for artists and songwriters to present their music to the conference. You, the songwriter, will be able to sell your sheet music and project "ON THE SPOT" after presenting your song.
2.) "This Is My Story, This Is My Song " session with a Special Guest National Recording Artist who will share there story of trials and successes with you.
and more to come so make plans to join us!!
YOUR CONFERENCE TO BE CONNECTED -- July 9-11, 2015 in Chesapeake, Virginia!!
REGISTER FOR $50 DOWN BEGINNING NEXT FRIDAY AT 12:00AM
www.indiegospelalliance.com

Pastor Antoine Hutchins and The Christian Unity Choir

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEAE

SOV Music Artist Pastor Antoine Hutchins Releases Brand New Cd entitled "He Still Loves Me"

Media Contact:               

                                        Phillip Carter, SOV, Inc

                                        rufus59@yahoo.com

                                        301.509.3459

SOV Ministries Inc. proudly announces the release of Pastor Antoine Hutchins’ debut CD “He Still Loves Me” (feat. The Christian Unity Choir).

Pastor Antione J. Hutchins has served in all areas of ministry from Minister of Music to National Evangelist, to Senior Pastor. Not only does he preach the Word of God, Pastor Hutchins is also an anointed and skilled psalmist who brings the same deliverance to the people of God through his music ministry. In October of 2013, after signing with SOV (Sounds of Victory), he recorded his widely anticipated debut project, along with the Christian Unity Choir, live at the Christian Unity Baptist Church (C.U.B.C.). Preaching is his passion; however anyone that has experienced his ministry knows that he is a worshiper. Many have testified that you can feel God’s greatness and authority when Pastor Hutchins ministers.

Produced by Stellar Award Winner Phillip Carter the project begins with “Awesome God You Are”.  Moving to the title cut “He Still Loves Me”. The current single "He'll Make It Alright" is a "Baptist Style" remake of the original version done by the legendary choir Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Choir. Other favorites include: “You Are Holy” written by Darnell Moore  and “I Belong to God” written by Hutchins.

For servicing or more information contact Phillip Carter at rufus59@yahoo.com or 301.509.3459.

Get connected with Pastor Hutchins on social media at www.facebook.com/AJHutchinsMinistries and www.twitter.com/ajhutchins as well as through his website www.ajhutchins.com.

About SOV, INC.

SOV Ministries, Inc. is a Washington D.C. metropolitan area-based parent company for several Gospel and inspirational music–related businesses – Sounds of Victory Ministries, Philco Studios, and Philco Publishing – that provide a wide range of services for those interested or involved in these segments of the music industry.  From connecting hopeful artists with the right contact person, to touring internationally and mastering songs in-studio, SOV is deeply knowledgeable about, and immersed in this industry.  SOV’s products and services include the following: Music duplication and manufacturing, Music scoring and composition, Studio services, and more.