 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jim Hefner, President P. O. Box 2594 June 18, 2009 SGPA MEMBERS
“To: Jim Hefner/ President SGPA The SGPA was formed to assist promoters in doing their work better, and bring to light things that might pose a danger to gospel music, and those of us who promote it. It's the latter I wish to address now. When negotiating the contracts for talent we wanted to bring in for our 2010 Lake Country Jubilee Concert Season, a pattern emerged. With few exceptions, all groups "flat fees" were increased. This was on top of increases for the 2009 Season. The reason at the time was diesel had risen to $5 per gallon when the contracts were negotiated. That seemed reasonable, so we paid the price and moved on. Since the price of diesel decreased substantially by the concert dates, the artists picked up several hundred extra dollars per concert. Good for them!! Now, the roles are reversed. Promoters are facing challenges that cannot simply be swept under the rug. They are very real. The economic challenges facing the nation defy any rational analysis. We are in uncharted economic waters. So, projecting the future is just a guess- nothing more. But, if we guess wrongly, the promoters could be devastated- and by extension- all of gospel music could suffer severe damage. But, there is a solution if we act reasonably, and responsibly. Why not ask our SGPA Legal Counsel to prepare an Addendum to the Contract that stipulates, in the event of an unmanageable economic environment, terrorist attack, financial panic, or other such events, a contract could legally be renegotiated. An example might state; "This contract assumes a manageable business environment. In the event of severe national economic or civil distress at concert time, this Contract is subject to re-negotiation." If, through no fault of our own, we were placed in the position of going bankrupt fulfilling a contract to the letter, wouldn't it be better to adjust to unforeseeable conditions in such a way as to continue to promote concerts when conditions improve? I have never renegotiated a contract on concert night- ever! But, I've never been faced with these unprecedented challenges. I'd like to see us come through them with everyone, promoters, agents, artists, and recording companies, still in tact. Some may have better ideas. I'd like to hear them.”
Please visit our website often for updates on information pertinent to all promoters at www.sgpromoters.com for SGPA updates. “United we are standing”
|
