Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, December 2011: Chris Sligh Launches Kickstarter Campagin To Fund Two Albums

Chris Sligh Launches Kickstarter Campagin To Fund Two Albums

NEWS SOURCE: Chris Sligh / Jesusfreakhideout.com
December 7, 2011

Former Word Records recording artist Chris Sligh has made a bold move and left his label home and publishing partnership with the one determined goal in mind of giving away his next two albums for free. However, to do this, Sligh needs the help of fans and supporters to help fund this daring move. While there are quite a few incentives (including the fact that anyone who donates a dollar will get both albums as downloads when they release), fans can also pitch in and be rewarded such perks as a signed and personalized lyric sheet, a local acoustic show, a phone call with the artist, or even a full-band performance. Check out Sligh's announcement and explanation below and then visit this link to pitch in! -- http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1373685903/2-albums-and-a-babyminus-the-baby

The Backstory
In 2006 I tried out for American Idol, forever changing my life; Idol allowed me the opportunity to pursue my dream of making music full time. Since then I’ve put out a record with my band (2007’s Take a Chance on Something Beautiful) and two solo records (2008’s Running Back to You and 2010’s The Anatomy of Broken), all with labels who fronted the cost of recording, mixing and distributing an album.

Then, in late 2010 I came up with this crazy idea to give away music. I felt passionately that God was calling me to allow my music to be distributed at no cost to the consumer. Unfortunately, labels don’t particularly like the idea of “give away” or “free” albums, so early in 2011, my label and I parted ways and, soon after, I parted ways with my publishing company, as well.

While this has been challenging year (for the first time since before American Idol, I had a wife and new baby to support with no steady income), I have seen God's provision over and over. In June, I was blessed to be able to take a position as a Worship Pastor at a large church in sight of the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

The Nitty-Gritty
So, what’s the point? I wish beyond most anything that I could just record my albums and give them away to everyone for free. But, though I've been blessed with the opportunity to support my family with an amazing job at a great church, I don't have a lot of (or really any) extra resources for making music and getting it out there.

Even the most frugal album recordings require a solid monetary backing. Without the backing of a large corporation (like a label), my ability to record and distribute an album is limited. My goal for the rest of the time I have the privilege making music is to give away every second album for free. My hope in doing this is that people who might not be able to afford to buy a Christian album will be reached.

The point is: I need your help. Not want; need. I NEED your help.

What Your Money Will Do
The $25,000 I am attempting to raise will allow me to enact my plan of releasing new music every 9-10 months, alternating between giving away an album for free and then selling the next one.

In early 2012, I am planning on giving away my new worship album, For Our God & King. It will include eleven brand new original worship songs, plus an arrangement of the hymn “How Marvelous” and an arrangement of the old hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” with an original chorus I added. I believe strongly that this album will be a great resource for churches across the world. Several churches are already using songs from this album and the response has been incredible!

Then 9-10 months after the worship album comes out for free, I will release my next “artist“ album Colorado. This album will actually be a double album of roughly 25 songs that you will be able to purchase very inexpensively (a download of the album will be $8.99 and a CD – including shipping – will be $15).

Your giving allows me to finish these two albums. I have recorded most of the music, but will still need to mix and master the songs plus get CDs made and much, much more boring stuff that I won’t take time to talk about here.

What You Get In Return
Well, the rewards are right next to this (look to your right!). The rewards for backing are nice, right?! But…I hope the greatest reward is that we get to partner together to do ministry and put out a message of hope and love!

Maybe you’re not in great financial shape. Well, every single one of your gifts helps. The rewards start at $20 but every gift (even if it’s below $20) will get the 2 albums before anyone else gets it (via download sent to your email address).

Some of the larger gifts have bigger rewards. Maybe your church bands together enough to give one of the gifts that includes a show – a great way to get me at a discounted rate! Maybe your small group or bible study could pool together enough to back one of ones where I do an acoustic show via skype for your small group one week! There are creative ways to make a little money go a long way!

Finally
Thank you for considering backing me in this way. I believe that God is going to use these albums in a powerful way and you will have a hand in it. Thank you and God bless.