GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MAY 2016

WHAT’S GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE INSIDE INDUSTRY Q&A: Henry Alonzo, CEO of Q&A with Henry Alonzo, CEO of Adarga Entertainment Adarga Entertainment By Michael Nolan

Celebrations and News There is no Latin Christian market. Not technically anyway. Confused? Fortunately, we had a conversation with Henry Alonzo, Radio Movement CEO of Adarga Entertainment Group, to provide some insight into this vibrant, and often- Appearances in Film/TV overlooked genre. A 15-year veteran in the Latin market, Alonzo is a member of NARAS, Top Adult Cont. Songs ASCAP, the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and currently the International Representative on the GMA Board. Read on Top Gospel Songs for him to clarify matters.

Top Rock Songs First, what does “adarga” mean?

Overall Chart Toppers (Continued...) Henry Alonzo

Movement

Great Day consists of Bill and Brenda career at Capitol Christian Music Group NEWS Ferguson and their children Lisa Ann, 19 years ago. Sara Lynn and Steven. Capitol CMG added South Florida hip-hop Brandon Hardy launched Arts District duo Social Club Misfits to its roster. Tim Parton announced his departure Financial, LLC, a Nashville-based financial from the Jim Brady Trio. Former Legacy services firm also serving clients in Syntax Creative inked a new deal Five member Gus Gaches will be filling New York and Atlanta. Hardy’s previous with Great Comfort Records, a South in for Parton until a replacement is found. experience includes time at Capitol CMG, Jersey-based record label founded by Big Machine Label Group and 40 Deep. accomplished artists Lenny (“Our God Daywind Music launched a new imprint, Reigns”) and Daniel Smith (Danielson). Daywind Roots, with a vision to create a CELEBRATIONS/MILESTONES In addition, Syntax also announced a label home for classic Christian, Country partnership with the children’s music and Gospel artists. The label released its arm of Elevation Church. first project, Shenandoah’s Good News Tribute Quartet’s Riley Harrison Travels Fast, Apr. 29. Clark and his wife, Megan, welcomed a Gospel music family Great Day has daughter, Charlee Rae, Apr. 14. She made signed an exclusive agreement with Chris York was named Senior Director of her debut at 7 lbs., 9 oz., with a full head AG Publicity for media representation. A&R for Capitol Records. York began his of blond hair. GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE MAY 2016

Movement

Bill Gaither album release concert in Houston, Texas. RADIO was recognized The couple is planning a December by wedding. WNWC/Madison (Life 102.5) names Governor Bill Summer Ciobanu as on-air host and Haslam for his Rickey and Karen Gooch (Karen Peck Director of Creative Services. contributions to & New River) celebrated their wedding Gospel Music. The Tennessee General anniversary May 5. Toccoa Falls College announced it will Assembly passed a bill honoring Gaither, sell WRAF/Taccoa Falls to Radio Training his talent and his legacy. RED is celebrating the 10th anniversary Network (RTN). of its debut by releasing a digitally re- The mother of Melissa Brady (Jim mastered anniversary edition of the RIAA WWIB/Chippewa Falls morning host Brady Trio), Sue Shuler, passed away Gold-certified album, End Of Silence, June Mark Halvorsen will exit the station, unexpectedly Apr. 4. 3. The band will also headline a special Mark and family are going to the mission 10th anniversary tour this fall. field in Liberia in September. Kelly Nelon Clark (The Nelons) was recognized for her lifetime contribution to To celebrate Amy KFIS/Portland (104.1 The Fish) hires Air1 Southern Gospel with the Susan Unthank Grant’s smash personality Brenda Price to co-host for Memorial Award at the 2016 Absolutely hit “Baby, Baby” The Fish Morning show with Nelson. Gospel Music Awards held in Nashville turning 25, Grant Apr. 12. and breakout pop NGEN radio adds Chris Chicago as sensation Tori morning show host and production Carrollton’s Jordan Bailey and his wife, Kelly released a reimagined version of the director. Hannah, celebrated the birth of their iconic song from Grant’s landmark album, second son, Porter Levi, Apr. 19. Born Heart In Motion. Radio Movement Provided by at 6:49 a.m., Porter weighed in at 8 lbs. HisAir.net NewReleaseToday.com announced its Dove Award-nominated 2016 fan-voted winners of the fourth APPEARANCES IN FILM/TV singer Bryan Andrew annual WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC Wilson and fellow artist AWARDS through a groundbreaking InPop recording artist V.Rose appeared Briana “Bri” Babineaux documentary on the state of Christian on “Jill & Jessa: Counting On” Mar. 15. recently announced music. This three-part series features their engagement at exclusive interviews and performances Chonda Pierce was interviewed on Bri’s Keys To My Heart by a variety of Christian artists. Hallmark’s “Home & Family” Apr. 14.

Henry Alonzo: Adarga is actually an old Spanish word for “shield.” It’s a reminder of the verse that says, “His truth shall be your shield and buckler” (Ps. 91:4b). We want to protect our artists like a shield.

What services do you provide to artists?

Alonzo: Latin music is mostly independent, so we’ve created somewhat of a hybrid company to work with labels, publishers and independent artists. We work primarily in marketing, development and consulting. In 2017, we will have been in business for ten years.

Give us a sense of the size of the Latin market.

Alonzo: In the past year, we’ve seen the release of 351 albums by artists who would Christine D’Clario be considered Spanish/Latin Christian. Now, that’s a higher-than-normal number. GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE MAY 2016

Social Media

TOP 20 ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK TOP 20 ARTISTS ON TWITTER TOP 20 ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM

Tercer Cielo 14,827,418 Ricardo Montaner 7,518,817 Erica Campbell 1,102,511

Thalles Robertoo 14,826,969 Juan Luis Guerra 6,412,794 Hillsong United 1,065,575

Juan Luis Guerra 10,600,874 Thalles Robertoo 1,282,224 908,629

Alex Campos 9,040,548 1,104,647 Kari Jobe 701,770

Marcos Witt 7,538,189 Hillsong United 1,080,376 Lilly Goodman 593,658

Lilly Goodman 7,474,169 Lecrae 1,076,207 Marcos Witt 580,942

Hillsong United 7,474,044 Jesus Adrian Romero 1,060,810 Jesus Culture 579,082

Skillet 5,904,063 Marcos Witt 1,021,744 542,430

Ricardo Montaner 5,904,010 Alex Campos 1,018,443 Marcela Gandara 537,469

Casting Crowns 5,876,454 Chris Tomlin 906,622 Alex Campos 508,291

Mary Mary 5,561,160 Tercer Cielo 881,358 Christine D’Clario 489,430

Don Moen 5,279,178 Marcela Gandara 662,667 Bethel Music 477,807

Marcela Gandara 5,203,181 Lilly Goodman 653,824 Hillsong Y & F 461,800

Hillsong Worship 4,628,618 Kari Jobe 641,695 Hillsong Worship 445,965

Chris Tomlin 4,621,086 Marco Barrientos 625,131 Marco Barrientos 434,104

TobyMac 4,461,766 Danilo Montero 597,749 Danilo Montero 429,080

Daniel Calveti 4,461,641 TobyMac 577,842 Tasha Cobbs 411,817

Kirk Franklin 4,156,245 555,560 Mary Mary 407,919

Tamela Mann 4,073,678 Jesus Culture 550,439 Andy Mineo 405,479

Yolanda Adams 3,806,284 Michael W Smith 539,586 Tercer Cielo 373,522

Is the Latin market structured differently than, say, CCM?

Alonzo: There are no charts for Latin CCM. Our labels, artists and bookstores don’t report to Soundscan, but our artists currently chart on “Billboard - Latin Pop Album” and “iTunes Latino.” So that means that our artists are vying with the likes of Enrique Iglesias and Santana, some of them even reaching parallel sales/streaming levels. In places like , our top artists will get significant airplay ecauseb [programmers] know the number of followers these artists have. They’ve found that sweet spot to include Latin CCM artists like Tercer Cielo, along with people like Shakira.

Nashville is known as a hub for CCM music. What are its equivalents for your various genres?

Alonzo: Puerto Rico is our version of Nashville. Other CCM-type hubs Tercer Cielo are Miami, Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles. International hubs would GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE MAY 2016

This Month’s Top Twenty

ADULT CONTEMPORARY PROVIDED BY CMTA

RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE 1Lauren Daigle Trust In You 11 MercyMe Flawless 2Danny Gokey Tell Your Heart To Beat Again 12 Jonny Diaz Breathe 3Stars Go Dim You Are Loved 13 If We’re Honest 4Matthew West Grace Wins 14 Jordan Feliz The River 5Casting Crowns Just Be Held 15 Big Daddy Weave My Story 6Chris Tomlin Good Good Father 16 Lincoln Brewster There Is Power 7We Are Messengers Everything Comes Alive 17 TobyMac Move (Keep Walkin’) 8for KING & COUNTRY It’s Not Over Yet 18 MercyMe Greater 97eventh Time Down God Is On The Move 19 Phil Wickham Your Love Awakens Me 10Hawk Nelson Diamonds 20 Matt Redman 10,000 Reasons

BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report Date: 5/6/2016

GOSPEL PROVIDED BY CMTA

RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE 1Todd Dulaney The Anthem 11 Tamela Mann One Way 2Kirk Franklin 123 Victory 12 William McDowell Spirit Break Out 3Zacardi Cortez #YDIA 13 Travis Greene Made A Way 4Deitrick Haddon Be Like Jesus / Ft. Dominique 14 Tasha Cobbs Put A Praise On It 5Bri I’ll Be The One 15 Jules Bartholomew Alright Alright 6Casey J I’m Yours 16 Kirk Franklin Wanna Be Happy? 7J.J. Hairston/YP You’re Mighty 17 Jekalyn Carr You’re Bigger 8Marvin Sapp Live 18 Tim Bowman, Jr. I’m Good 9Hezekiah Walker Better 19 Kim Burrell Thank You Jesus (That’s What...) 10Alexis Spight It Will Be Alright 20 Jermaine Dolly You

BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report Date: 5/6/2016 GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE MAY 2016

This Month’s Top Twenty

ROCK PROVIDED BY CMTA

RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE 1Family Force 5 Glow In The Dark 11 Attalus This Ship Is Going Down 2Emery The Beginning 12 Paper Route Laugh About It 3Children 18:3 Afterall... 13 Danger Scene I Wanna Be Famous 4Before Their Eyes It’s Dark Inside With You 14 My Epic Ghost Story 5Lecrae All I Need Is You 15 VERIDIA Pretty Lies / Ft. Matty Mullins 6Hearts Like Lions I’m Not Running Away From This 16 NYVES Fall Behind 7Vesperteen Shatter In The Night 17 RED Take Me Over 8House of Heroes Colors Run 18 Spoken Falling Apart 9Rival Choir Aftermath 19 Come Wind Clarity 10Twenty One Pilots Stressed Out 20 Matty Mullins Come Alive

BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report Date: 5/6/2016

OVERALL PROVIDED BY CMTA

RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE 1Lauren Daigle Trust In You 11 Francesca Battistelli If We’re Honest 2Danny Gokey Tell Your Heart To Beat Again 12 MercyMe Flawless 37eventh Time Down God Is On The Move 13 Diamonds 4for KING & COUNTRY It’s Not Over Yet 14 Jordan Feliz The River 5Stars Go Dim You Are Loved 15 Christ In Me 6Jonny Diaz Breathe 16 TobyMac Move (Keep Walkin’) 7Matthew West Grace Wins 17 Big Daddy Weave My Story 8We Are Messengers Everything Comes Alive 18 Third Day Soul On Fire 9Casting Crowns Just Be Held 19 Passion Even So Come / Ft. K.Stanfill 10Chris Tomlin BGood Good father 20 Lincoln Brewster There Is Power

BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report Date: 5/6/2016 GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE MAY 2016

GET TO KNOW HENRY ALONZO GAME-CHANGER: The digital revolution gave us worldwide distribution and the ability to chart. In regards to quality, I would say we discovered the click- track in the late ’90’s.

NUMBER OF NEW Miel San Marcos SONGS YOU LISTEN TO EACH MONTH: be City, Monterey, Guatemala City, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Madrid Probably about 100. and the . It is important to note that there is much diversity AMOUNT OF TRAVEL: in the styles represented. We have two young children, so I try to limit travel to once How diverse? a month. But I have artists Alonzo: Our pop/rock music is heavily influenced by Nashville, but our roots that are on a plane three times a week. are ever-present in Latin folk rhythms, which can be heard with the use of Latin percussion and an occasional accordion. NUMBER OF CHECKED BAGS: I typically only have carry-on. What is the impact of radio? I travel very, very light. Alonzo: There are around 100 stations that play Latin Christian music in the U.S. FAVORITE TRAVEL One of the major networks we service is Radio Nueva Vida, which has over 30 radio DESTINATION: stations in the U.S. Also, the Spanish-speaking megachurches are a big influence Antigua, Guatemala. in the music consumption. It’s where I proposed to my wife and where Let’s talk venues. my family originated. Alonzo: One of the great things about our artists is that they are very flexible. Some will play anywhere from coffee shops to megachurches and stadiums. For example, Miel San Marcos, the worship group from Guatemala who received the 2015 Dove Award for Spanish Album of the Year, has 1.6 million Facebook followers and has had over 50 million views on YouTube. They played for 3,000 people in San Jose, CA last Saturday, and days before that, they played in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a crowd of 70,000.

Tell us about a memorable time with one of your artists.

Alonzo: How about two? We were recording a live album for Miel San Marcos in the Mexico City Arena. They said, “We’re going to fill it up.” That’s 17,000 people. Renowned pop acts like Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars play there. Miel San Marcos filled it up, and the band played a five-hour concert.

Another very memorable moment was with Christine D’Clario at the Coliseum of Puerto Rico. We had a “sellout” with 10,000 people, and an additional 150,000 GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE MAY 2016

INTERNATIONAL HUBS

1. Puerto Rico – Pop/Urban/Tropical 2. Mexico/Monterrey -­‐ Worship/Latin Rock/Regional Mexican 3. Guatemala City – Worship/AC 4. Bogota -­‐ Pop/Rock/Tropical 5. Buenos Aires, Argentina – Latin Rock/Pop 6. Dominican Republic – Urban/Worship 7. Madrid (emergent) – Pop/AC

FACTORS IN COMMON Media Networks, Recording Studios, Mega Churches, Event Promoters, Local Distributors

people participated via live stream. The hashtag #EternoLive began to trend on Twitter next to Hollywood stars, and this was a Latin CCM event.

At one time, CCM artists such as Steve Green and Sandi Patty would re-record their English albums in Spanish. Does that trend continue?

Alonzo: It still happens. There are some great translations of the latest CCM hits, but because of the constant efforts in Latin CCM, things have changed. Today we have musicians; we have studios; and we have great composers. We’ve seen the emergence of native Spanish-speaking Henry Alonzo with Miel San Marcos, winners of the 2015 Dove Award . And an interesting development for Spanish Album of the Year is that we’re now asked to record our albums in Portuguese. As GMA’s International Representative, do you stay abreast of other international markets? What would you like our readers to know about your market? Tenenbaum: We’re currently trying to make inroads into Asia. In Africa, there is a presence of Christian music Alonzo: I’d like them to know that we are a growing that we also want to educate ourselves on. There are market. We are influenced by CCM, and we are trying many similarities between the rhythms of African and to evolve our structure from mom-and-pop operations, Latin music. We don’t have a good working knowledge looking ahead ten years, and hoping to reach the of these other markets, but it doesn’t mean that we structure that pop music enjoys. Most of the people won’t in the future. that I work with are of a younger generation; they’re college-educated and working to build that bridge. For more info, visit www.adargagroup.com.