“If You Want To Make Money, Don’t Be A Gospel Artiste” – Frank Edwards

Top gospel singer, Frank Edwards, in a recent interview with newsmen, opened up about the intricacies of his career, marriage and why money making and gospel music don’t go hand in hand.

According to the popular singer if one wants to make money, by doing gospel music, then the person will have a lot of issues.

“There are so many reasons. Firstly, you have to understand that the industry and ministry is not the same thing. Gospel music is a ministry, the other one is an industry, so it functions fully like that. 

The gospel ministry is totally different from the secular industry even though you might say that there is a business side of it which makes it similar. But in gospel ministry, the business aspect of it is never the focus. 

I tell people that if you want to make money, don’t do gospel music; you would have a lot of issues. Gospel music means one is reaching out to people through music; the others are strictly entertainment or at least 70-80 per cent entertainment.” He said.

Read excerpt from the interview:
What led you into gospel music?

I come from a musical family. My dad was in the church choir, so I followed him to rehearsals. I developed the love for playing the piano at the age of seven. Initially, I didn’t love music enough to become an artiste. 

As a matter of fact, my dad never wanted me to become one but music just overwhelmed me. I wanted to be a pilot.

How far did you go with your pilot ambition?
To be honest, I didn’t go far at all but I still want to go for it. I may not work with an airline afterwards but I still want to be a licensed pilot.

Why are gospel artistes rarely used as brand ambassadors or influencers?
There are so many reasons. Firstly, you have to understand that the industry and ministry is not the same thing. Gospel music is a ministry, the other one is an industry, so it functions fully like that. 

The gospel ministry is totally different from the secular industry even though you might say that there is a business side of it which makes it similar. 

But in gospel ministry, the business aspect of it is never the focus. I tell people that if you want to make money, don’t do gospel music; you would have a lot of issues. 

Gospel music means one is reaching out to people through music; the others are strictly entertainment or at least 70-80 per cent entertainment. 

The company would rather give the opportunity to musicians who sing songs that all religions, including Christians, would dance to, either at a party or in a club. 

Because the companies are looking for numbers, they would give the brand ambassadorship to someone who everybody loves their music. 

If the companies give it to gospel singers like me, people who don’t listen to gospel would probably not pay attention. Although I’m a brand ambassador, it is not everything that one must do as a gospel artiste. 

When you are not getting endorsements, think of how many souls you music has healed– that’s your reward.

Are there contracts that one should not sign as a gospel artiste?
The answer is yes. You have to know what you want to represent. 

Although anybody can choose to represent anything but note that whatever brand ambassadorship one takes on must not be anti- what one believes or represents. 

That should be one’s first yardstick of taking brand ambassador deals. For example, my body has zero tolerance for alcohol, so I can’t be a brand ambassador for makers of alcoholic products, no matter the money involved.