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Tawanda Marwizi : Arts Correspondent
Public shows seem to be a thing of the past for several gospel musicians who are now performing at church functions. Established churches like ZAOGA, Prophetic Healing Deliverance Ministries, United Family International Church (UFIC), Bright Light Prophetic Ministries, and Victory World International among have suddenly become cash cows for a coterie of gospel musicians.A survey conducted by The Herald Review revealed that gospel musicians are now opting for church bookings than public shows, as a good marketing strategy for their music.
For upcoming gospel musicians gone are the days when they used to rely on their recording companies to market and distribute their music.
Churches have become their favourite hunting ground.
Several musicians including the established musicians are now selling their music to several churches as well as performing at different functions being held there.
Takesure Zama, Wency Mupositori, Blessing Shumba, Mathias Mhere, Forward Mazuruse and Irene Tigere among other several gospel musicians seem to have taken that route.
In the past gospel musicians would have public shows mostly family shows across the country, but it seems the trend is getting an eclipse as they are performing mostly on church functions.
Those who spoke to this publication said churches have become their favourite hunting grounds as they have both financial and marketing gains.
Wency Makungisa who is known as Wency Mupositori booked to perform at Bright Light Prophetic Ministries ground breaking ceremony in June said church functions were yielding results for him.
“Some of the churches now have TV channels and our music reach wide audiences. For example we will be performing at Bright Light ministries in June a ministry that is gaining ground with most of its people from Mt Darwin.
That is another way of reaching wide audience,” he said.
Mazuruse, an upcoming gospel musician said they are now able to sell their music to different denominations.
“For me I would say we do public shows but churches have become our new home.
I am glad that I will be introducing my new album at Prophet Brighton Chikomo’s ground breaking function in Norton,” he said.
Most of them said that was their chance to break into the music industry.
Mhere who received a car from Prophet Sanyangore of Victory World International however said though it was good for them to market their music, it was not the best option.
“Most of these churches now have their TV channels and when we perform there, live DVDs are recorded and played at the stations.
That would not encourage people to attend live shows because they already have the live performances at their disposal,” he said.
Online Reporter