WHAT’S INSIDE: Q&A with David Smallbone of Smallbone Management
INDUSTRY Q&A: David Smallbone, Smallbone Management By Michael Nolan
News Celebrations and Milestones Radio Movement Appearances in Film/TV Top Adult Contemporary Songs Top Gospel Songs Top Rock Songs Overall Chart Toppers Top Artists on Social Media
For more than 40 years, David Smallbone of Smallbone Management has been a steadfast presence in Christian music circles. David began his early career in the industry as a concert promoter in his homeland of Australia before organically David Smallbone (center) with the Smallbone family transitioning to artist management, thanks to his talented brood of kids. Starting with daughter Rebecca St. James and continuing today with sons Joel and Luke’s band for KING & COUNTRY, David’s management style has always emphasized quality of ministry over quantity of sales. We took time to talk with David about lessons learned and coming attractions. Though you’ve been successful for decades now, your early days were quite different.
Smallbone: The first two years were really hard for us in America. (Continued...)
Movement New Day Christian Distributors and Word Entertainment entered into an exclusive distribution relationship. Effective Jan. 2, 2017, all new releases and catalog titles from Word Entertainment will be exclusively distributed in the physical format to Christian retail by New Day. The agreement extends to Word Entertainment’s record and film partners and all artists on the Word and Curb Christian rosters. NEWS
Centricity Music announced a partnership with North Point Music, a division of North Point Community GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
Church in Atlanta, Ga. Centricity will release three new worship projects from North Point Music worship leaders, musicians and songwriters in 2017. Integrity Music extended its longtime writing and recording relationship with Darlene Zschech. The renowned worship leader and songwriter will release a new album in March. First Company Management welcomed Jason Davis as artist manager and partner. Davis was previously the founder and president of One One 7 Entertainment and partner
and co-founder of Los Angeles-based Radar Label Group. Full Circle Music announced the return of its popular Music Makers Bootcamp, slated to take place at the legendary Sound Kitchen Studios in Franklin, Tenn., Jan. 26-28. Matthew West launched the Story House Collective poised to provide storytellers, artists, songwriters, authors and other creatives the opportunity to tell their stories through a variety of mediums. The multifaceted media company will also house West’s nonprofit ministry, popwe. DECEMBER 2016
Movement J. David Huffman joined Worthy Media Group, parent entity of Worthy Publishing, to launch the company’s new Live Events division. Huffman was previously co-owner of Creative Trust, where he worked with artists like Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day. Tampa-based Financial Guidance Group, Inc. (FGG) opened a Nashville branch located at 710 Evans Street, Franklin, Tenn. The family-owned financial planning company will provide the same client-centered service they are known for in the Tampa area with an added emphasis on helping musicians, producers and others in the entertainment industry. Rejoice! MSF (Musical Soul Food Radio Network) signed an exclusive syndication and sales deal with Gospel icon Hezekiah Walker. NRT Radio Network launched two new radio stations: NRT Radio Positive, a groundbreaking format that spins positive and clean mainstream songs alongside general market-friendly Christian music; and RadioGC, the first and only radio format of its kind that combines Christian, mainstream Country and Southern Gospel. Alt-pop duo Shinebright announced that they will cease to record and tour. Their final concert took place in November. Newly established music company D3 Entertainment inked a distribution deal with Sony/Provident Distribution. D3 Music Group plans to sign artists, record and release new music and provide creative oversight of specialized projects. Sam Fisher joined Maximum Artist Management. Fisher brings his own roster of artists to the growing management company, including GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
KB, Seth & Nirva, Hank Murphy and author/speaker D.A. Horton. Songwriter/producer Seth Mosley renewed his exclusive contract with Centricity Publishing. Full Circle Music announced the launch of publishing company Songs for FCM, led by GRAMMY®-winning producer Seth Mosley. The company signed its first artist, former Sanctus Real lead singer Matt Hammitt, and will operate under Kobalt Music Publishing Global. The company also recently signed Riley Friesen to a publishing deal. Veteran Christian music booking agent Scott Huie announced the Brentwood relocation of his H20 Artist Agency after more than 20 years in Atlanta. The move marks Huie’s return as exclusive booking agent for Newsboys, whom he previously represented for more than 15 years. The agency’s roster also includes Peter Furler, Ryan Stevenson, Rush of Fools, Seventh Day Slumber, Trevor Morgan, Classic Imperials and Karyn Williams. Provident Music Group announced the promotion of Ben Howard, who previously served as Senior Vice President for the film division, to Executive Vice President of Provident Films. New York-based RCA Inspiration announced a shift to begin operations in Nashville under the umbrella of Provident Music Group. The label also recently named veteran entertainment executive Phil Thornton as Senior Vice President and General Manager. Thornton will be based out of the Nashville office.
PledgeMusic officially acquired NoiseTrade. The deal includes NoiseTrade founder Derek Webb’s appointment as PledgeMusic’s Nashville General Manager.
CELEBRATIONS/MILESTONES Kim Walker-Smith announced that she and her husband are expecting their third child next summer. NEEDTOBREATHE’s Josh Lovelace and his wife, Whitney, welcomed their second child and first daughter Nov. 16. Margo James was born in Lovelace’s hometown of Knoxville, Tenn. “American Idol” Season 8 finalist Scott MacIntyre and his wife, Christina, welcomed their first child Sept. 21. They named their son Christian, who weighed in at 6 lbs., 6 oz. Integrity Music songwriter and artist Travis Ryan and his wife, Hayley, welcomed their fourth child. Their daughter, Monroe Grace, was born Sept. 20. Thousand Foot Krutch frontman Trevor McNevan and wife Erin welcomed their second child June 17. Jade Autumn Lynn McNevan weighed 7 lbs., 14 oz. and joins big brother Cohen (3). Multi-Platinum selling Casting Crowns reached a significant milestone, surpassing 10 million albums sold to date. The record-breaking debut from Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be, recently achieved Gold status.
MercyMe celebrated another RIAA Gold certification as 2014’s Welcome To The New hit the half-million mark becoming the band’s sixth Gold album, in addition to a double Platinum album and a Platinum video. DECEMBER 2016
Movement Chris Tomlin’s version of “Good, Good Father” was recently certified Gold by the RIAA. His popular Worship Nights in America tour will expand to a nationwide outing in 2017. Tenth Avenue North received its first Gold certification for the band’s debut album, Over and Underneath.
Anomaly, 2014’s career-defining album from Lecrae, was certified Gold by the RIAA. Hillsong UNITED’s 2013 album, Zion, was recognized with RIAA Gold certification for more than 500,000 in sales. The album includes Platinum-selling song “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).”
Skillet’s 2013 album, Rise, received RIAA Gold certification. In addition, the band’s 2006 release, Comatose, was certified Platinum by the RIAA—their second Platinum album alongside 2009’s Awake. NewSong is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the group’s No. 1 pop smash “The Christmas Shoes.” In honor of the milestone, the group released The Best Christmas Ever! and is currently sharing seasonal tunes on their annual Very Merry Christmas Tour alongside Matthew West, Love & The Outcome and more. Ivan Parker was named Favorite Soloist at this year’s Singing News Fan Awards, marking his 14th Favorite Soloist honor.
Big Daddy Weave was honored with the Rich Mullins Artist Impact Award
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
for their longtime contributions to the music and ministry of Christian radio at the annual Christian Radio Broadcasters (CMB) conference. Skillet recently became RADIO the first Christian band to hit No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Chart when their single “Feel Invincible” reached the top spot. Casting Crowns garnered their 11th No. 1 single at radio with “One Step Away” from their latest chart-topping studio project, The Very Next Thing. Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Ryan Stevenson’s single, “Eye of the Storm,” (feat. GabeReal) marked Gotee Records’ first No. 1 on Billboard’s National Christian Audience and Mediabase Christian Audience charts. Jeremy Camp was honored by Billboard as the solo artist with the most No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Christian Airplay Chart. Camp garnered his ninth No. 1 hit on the chart with “Christ In Me.” Salem Media Group’s “Today’s Christian Music Network” is adding the Kevin and Taylor Morning Show to its lineup. Kevin and Taylor will be heard from 7am to 10am throughout the Christmas music season before launching full-time into a five-hour morning drive slot in early January. Salem appoints Jeff Mitchell General Manager for Dallas stations. Jenn Manning joins KSBJ/Houston as Senior Director, Special Events and Ticket Servant. Salem Media Group announced today that Gregg Stiansen has been appointed as General Manager for its Philadelphia cluster of radio stations (WFIL-AM and WNTP-AM). WRVL/Lynchburg (The Journey) GM Barry Armstrong is retiring. The Journey PD Mike Weston will become GM.
Alan Mason is upped from Chief Operating Officer to President at EMF overseeing KLOVE and Air1. EMF is purchasing WETN/Wheaton, Illinois (250w at 88.1 in western Chicago) for $150k. The seller is Wheaton College. It’s expected WETN will flip to Air1 early next year. KNWI/Des Moines (Life 107.1) has filled its Program Director opening by promoting Morning Show Host Taylor Hohulin to PD. WONU/Chicago (Shine.FM) will launch Spark 98.7 HD3, a new Hot CHR format on December 1st. Moody Global Ministries has broken ground for the construction of the Chapman Center on the Chicago campus. The four-story, 50,000-squarefoot building will primarily serve as Moody’s global media center, and home to Moody Radio. WMIT/Asheville (106.9 The Light) and WFGW/Knoxville (106.7 The Light) were named recipients of the NRB 2017 Milestone Award. Radio Movement Provided by HisAir.net
APPEARANCES IN FILM/TV Lauren Daigle is slated to perform on “Good Morning America” Dec. 29. This follows her national television debut on NBC’s “TODAY” show. The Isaacs recently made an appearance on “FOX & Friends” sharing music from the group’s new album, Nature’s Symphony in 432. “Through Your Eyes,” the latest No. 1 single from Britt Nicole, can now be heard on Forever 21’s in-store playlist throughout their 723 locations around the globe. Former Gotee Records artist JamieGrace was brought onstage to sing with Adele at one of the British vocalist’s recent tour stops at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
DECEMBER 2016
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2017 GRAMMY® Nominee
Nominees for the 59th Annual GRAMMY® Awards were announced Tuesday, Dec. 6. Winners will be announced Feb. 12 at the 2017 award show in Los Angeles. Congrats to all of the Gospel/Christian nominees! BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE/SONG
“It’s Alright, It’s OK,” Shirley Caesar feat. Anthony Hamilton “You’re Bigger [Live],” Jekalyn Carr “Made A Way [Live],” Travis Greene “God Provides,” Tamela Mann
BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE/SONG
BEST GOSPEL ALBUM
“Trust In You,” Lauren Daigle
Listen, Tim Bowman, Jr.
“Priceless,” for KING & COUNTRY
Fill This House, Shirley Caesar
“King of the World,” Natalie Grant
A Worshipper’s Heart [Live], Todd Dulaney
Be One, Natalie Grant
Losing My Religion, Kirk Franklin
Youth Revival [Live], Hillsong Young & Free
Demonstrate [Live], William Murphy
Love Remains, Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
“Thy Will,” Hillary Scott & The Scott Family “Chain Breaker,” Zach Williams
“Better,” Hezekiah Walker
The family pitched in doing things like mowing lawns, cleaning houses, raking leaves. At that point, I was 40 years old and had been in music in some form for 25 years, starting in bands. When Rebecca’s thing started to hit, we went on the road together because we were sick of being apart. My youngest son, Josh, was six or seven, and we had to put him on a chair so he could run the spotlight. We threw [our children] in the deep end by necessity. Although your wife, Helen, maintains a relatively lowprofile, she’s really been involved all along.
Smallbone: When we were struggling, she would get a call from her mother once a month and, through tears, her mum GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM
BEST ROOTS GOSPEL ALBUM
Poets & Saints, All Sons & Daughters
Better Together, Gaither Vocal Band
American Prodigal, Crowder
Nature’s Symphony In 432, The Isaacs Hymns, Joey+Rory Gordon Mote Sings Hymns and Songs of Inspiration, Gordon Mote God Don’t Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson, Various Artists
would say, “It’s not working in America. It’s time to come home.” But it wasn’t [laughs]. She always supported me, always believed. She’s really the hero in this whole thing— aside from the fact that she wanted to have seven children with me [laughing]. She was willing to live hand-to-mouth for basically three years. Now for KING & COUNTRY is tremendously popular. Is your approach significantly different than it was when you started?
Smallbone: I do devotionals most nights on the road, and my challenge is “let’s aim for excellence in what we do, but let’s be faithful in the small and large.” That means that ministry DECEMBER 2016
Social Media TOP 20 ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK
TOP 20 ARTISTS ON TWITTER
TOP 20 ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM
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Ricardo Montaner
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Erica Campbell
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Thalles Robertoo
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Alex Campos
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Kirk Franklin
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Kari Jobe
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Juan Luis Guerra
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Lecrae
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Tercer Cielo
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1,110,217
Tamela Mann
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Marcos Witt
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Hillsong United
Lilly Goodman
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Jesus Adrian Romero
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Lilly Goodman
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Hillsong United
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Marcos Witt
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Jesus Culture
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Ricardo Montaner
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Alex Campos
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Marcela Gandara
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Skillet
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Chris Tomlin
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Marcos Witt
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Don Moen
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Tercer Cielo
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Christine D’Clario
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Marcela Gandara
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Marcela Gandara
688,685
Hillsong Worship
685,090
Casting Crowns
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Lilly Goodman
677,882
Alex Campos
669,897
Hillsong Worship
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Kari Jobe
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Bethel Music
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Danilo Montero
4,175,456
Marco Barrientos
653,566
Hillsong Y&F
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Mary Mary
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Danilo Montero
624,164
Marco Barrientos
595,423
TobyMac
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TobyMac
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Danilo Montero
Chris Tomlin
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Jesus Culture
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Tasha Cobbs
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Marco Barrientos
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Mary Mary
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Miel San Marcos
536,533
Daniel Calveti
2,892,406
Michael W Smith
544,608
Mary Mary
529,184
decisions will prevail over business decisions. We’ve believed that if the ministry decisions are right, the money is going to be there to cover the bills. Some people dig themselves into debt in launching their careers, but your story is quite different.
Smallbone: Both Rebecca and for KING & COUNTRY from day one have been in the black. And I’m not quite sure how that happened, but I’ve marveled at it. for KING & COUNTRY’s tour started the week after Rebecca retired. What’s it like to have the dual relationships of sons as business partners?
Smallbone: It does surprise me how we’re all able to work GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
591,131
together. for KING & COUNTRY is owned by three people— myself, Joel and Luke. We each get voted out about a third of the time, but honestly it probably only gets to that situation maybe twice a year. If there ever needs to be a referee, the kids will go to their mother and she’ll get me sorted out real quick. for KING & COUNTRY travels with 20 people on the road, but you consistently keep ticket prices affordable. How do you manage expenses?
Smallbone: We have a pretty wide demographic. We try to keep our prices down so that everyone who wants to come can afford to. That goes back to the days when we didn’t have much money to attend concerts.
DECEMBER 2016
ry Top 20 Adult Contempora
Songs
ADULT CONTEMPORARY PROVIDED BY CMTA RANK ARTIST
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SONG TITLE
Bobby Helms
Jingle Bell Rock
Chris Tomlin
Joy To The World
Burl Ives
A Holly Jolly Christmas
Jose Feliciano
Feliz Navidad
Aaron Shust
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
TobyMac
Christmas This Year
Nat King Cole
The Christmas Song
Trans-Siberian Orch. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 Brenda Lee
Rockin’ Around The Christmas...
Zach Williams
Chain Breaker
RANK ARTIST
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
SONG TITLE
Bing Crosby
White Christmas
Andy Williams
It’s The Most Wonderful Time...
Casting Crowns
Away In A Manger
Chris Tomlin
Jesus
Third Day
O Come All Ye Faithful
Vince Guaraldi Trio
Linus & Lucy
Johnny Mathis
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot...
Lauren Daigle
Light Of The World
One Sonic Society
Great Are You Lord
Michael W. Smith
Christmastime Date: 12/16/2016
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
Top 20 Gospel Songs GOSPEL PROVIDED BY CMTA RANK ARTIST
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SONG TITLE
Travis Greene
Made A Way
Donnie McClurkin
I Need You
Damon Little
I Won’t Be Defeated
Jekalyn Carr
You’re Bigger
Tamela Mann
God Provides
J.J. Hairston/YP
You Deserve It
Fred Hammond
Father Jesus Spirit
Charles Jenkins
Winning
Anthony Brown/GT Bless The Lord Sounds Of Blackness Royalty
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
RANK ARTIST
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
SONG TITLE
Cece Winans
Never Have To Be Alone
GEI
Hang On
Fantasia
I Made It
VaShawn Mitchell
Joy
William Murphy
Arise (You Are Good)
Brian Courtney Wilson I’ll Just Say Yes
Jermaine Dolly
You
Bri (Briana Bab...)
Jacob’s Song
Hezekiah Walker
Better
Kim Burrell/Pharrell I See A Victory Date: 12/16/2016
DECEMBER 2016
Top 20 Rock Songs ROCK PROVIDED BY CMTA RANK ARTIST
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SONG TITLE
Capital Kings
I Can’t Quit / Ft. Reconcile
Artifex Pereo
Paper Ruled All
Before Their Eyes
Midwest Modesty
Lacey Sturm
I’m Not Laughing
NYVES
Not Enough
Attalus
Coming Clean
For All Eternity
The Divide
Capital Kings
Live For The Drop
Thrice
Black Honey
Danger Scene
Drive
RANK ARTIST
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
SONG TITLE
Glasslands
Fame / Ft. Ryan Kirby
Owl City
Humbug
Everything In Slow... Coma Skillet
Feel Invincible
Cash Hollistah
Jump. Fame / Ft. Lando
Disciple
Erase
Thousand Foot Krutch Heat Miser
Twenty One Pilots
The Judge
XXI
Way You Love Me
Tauren Wells
Undefeated / Ft. KB Date: 12/16/2016
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
Top 20 Overall Songs OVERALL PROVIDED BY CMTA RANK ARTIST
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SONG TITLE
Zach Williams
Chain Breaker
Chris Tomlin
Jesus
One Sonic Society
Great Are You Lord
Big Daddy Weave
The Lion And The Lamb
Natalie Grant
King Of The World
Danny Gokey
Rise
Lauren Daigle
Come Alive (Dry Bones)
Crowder
My Victory
We Are Messengers Magnify Burl Ives
A Holly Jolly Christmas
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
RANK ARTIST
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
SONG TITLE
Aaron Shust
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Bobby Helms
Jingle Bell Rock
TobyMac
Christmas This Year
Jose Feliciano
Feliz Navidad
Chris Tomlin
Joy To The World
NEEDTOBREATHE
Testify
Trans-Siberian Orch... Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 Casting Crowns
Away In A Manger
Bing Crosby
White Christmas
MercyMe
What Child Is This Date: 12/16/2016
DECEMBER 2016
GET TO KNOW DAVID SMALLBONE IF YOU WEREN’T DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING: I’d probably be selling real estate in Australia and being miserable. WHAT YOU MISS ABOUT AUSTRALIA: Extended family SOMETHING YOU NEVER WANT TO EAT AGAIN: Lobster
The film Priceless marks new territory for you and your family.
PARENTING TIP YOU’VE EMBRACED: Discussing consequences
What’s the origin of the film?
WHAT YOU DO TO KEEP UP YOUR PHYSICAL ENERGY: Walk a lot FAVORITE GADGET: Tractor
Smallbone: The film world is the music world on steroids.
Smallbone: My wife and Joel originally came up with the Priceless idea. About four-anda-half years ago, for KING & COUNTRY started sharing the Priceless message as a way to challenge girls about their self-worth. All along, your son Ben, who directs the film, has been honing his skills in video.
Smallbone: We had given him a video camera about 20 years ago… Ben has traveled all over the world shooting for Chick-fil-A and other companies. He met a guy who had a story about human trafficking that seemed to fit what was already being said. So the family got together and said, “Let’s make a movie”?
Smallbone: About three years ago, we proposed to make the Priceless movie… The beginning of last year, we brought in a Hollywood producer and started filming in August… It really has been a faith experiment. It cost a million to make. We had four investors. It went a half-million over budget, and we had to find a half-million dollars in about two weeks. I don’t recommend [film-making] to the faint-hearted. But we always felt God had a plan, and it’s important that we were able to do it as a family. And it’s a great education for the next movie we’ll do. Are there secrets to success in this business?
Smallbone: I think working very hard, finding people you can work with, perhaps people who are more gifted in some way than you are, being prepared to listen. The main thing is to build a team. What’s your role these days?
Smallbone: My main role is encourager, doing devotions, sharing about all the things I’ve learned through the school of hard knocks. We’ve got about 20 on the road now with for KING & COUNTRY. I challenge them: “You guys, you have to be spiritually healthy. If there’s any issues you’re dealing with or addictions, go and tell a trusted friend. I need you to be healthy so we can max out this ministry.”
For more info, visit www.forkingandcountry.com. GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
DECEMBER 2016