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This week we feature an interview with Jubilee Music Artists founder

Barbara Roach. Jubilee Music Artists is a booking agency for gospel

music artists. Off to a great start, we figured Ms. Roach would

enjoy telling our readers what her company is all about, from

Behind The Scenes.

GMT--Barbara, for all our readers that are not familiar with

the name, tell us a little about who you are and where

you came from.

Barbara---I was Barbara Hodge before I married. I have been in

gospel music for nearly 37 years. When I was a very young girl, about four

or five years old, I used to stand in front of the mirror with my mother’s mop

and bucket and pretend that I was singing with the Speer Family! I would

pretend to be Joyce Black. Back In the fifties, there was only one group

that hired girl singers that I know of, so that must have been why I chose

the Speers. Later on when I was 21 years old, I was singing with a local group in Union City fronting the concert for “The Lefevres and the Prophets Quartet” and after I walked off stage, Urias Lefevre met me and offered me a job with The Lefevres. I was taken back and asked him to repeat the question. Once I understood what he said, without a second thought, I said YES! That was back in 1972. It was that year that I got to sing the song “I’ve Come Too Far To Look Back” with Uncle Alf. He was the greatest. What you saw was what you got! After that I sang a couple of years with “The Blackwood singers.” They were wonderful to me. We sang with folks from Hee-Haw and toured with some of the big names in country music as well as gospel. My favorite was “Archie Campbell.” We sang at county fairs all over and I loved that. I was still young enough to enjoy all of those crazy rides and we got to ride for free! It was during a time of rehearsing with a girls group called “The Emeralds” that Dottie Rambo called me to fill in for

Reba who had been in a car accident. Of course, I said yes. It was a fun time. For three weeks I traveled with them. They were just plain old country folks. Since then, I have been married to an ordained minister for over 27 years. We have pastored three churches and traveled in Evangelism full time all over the United States. At all the churches where we pastored, I organized a community children’s choir. I taught them to hear and sing parts and took them to places to sing. That was, and is still a great blessing to me. To be able to take a child who doesn’t know the meaning of the word harmony, and teach

them all about hearing it and singing it is pretty neat. We have one daughter . At the age of three, I took our daughter to the studio to record with me. She was singing harmony by age four. Today she has the vocal ability of about four octaves.

GMT---Wow Barbara, that’s quite a resume, you have already accomplished more than most

people do in a lifetime yet, you are still hard at work everyday and if that’s not enough, you have

launched a new project. Care to tell our readers about that new project Barbara?

Barbara---I have started a new agency to help book artists. I recorded a new CD with Mr. Eddie Crook about a year and half ago on the Morning Star label. At one of the events he holds every year, I went to him and ask him about doing some videos to help promote local area groups and also be able to put a product in the artist hand for their product table at a reasonable cost. I sort of thought this would only be a one time thing. We have produced three and have two more coming together. We call these events, Jubilee Homecomings. Later I was ask about starting an agency. Jerry and I spent a few weeks in prayer and decided this is the will of God in our lives at this time. We chose the name “Jubilee Music Artist” because of the video connection.

GMT---How well has the industry as a whole been responding / supporting your new endeavor? I

only ask because I know how brutal even the Gospel Music industry can be to newcomers

sometimes.

Barbara---I have found out there are many groups out there looking for help. I have been able to help them in different ways. As far as support, I think there could be better support from the industry itself, but God is in control of if all. With His control, I just need to obey Him and it will all come together!

GMT---What artists do you currently represent?

Barbara---Mr. Eddie Crook, Called Out, The Smith Family, Renee Martin, Ivan and Jamie Hodge, and of course myself. I also vocal coach and manage a couple of young brothers who only wish to work locally. They are only 8 and 11 years old. When the time is right, I will add staff and more artists!

GMT---How many total artists do you plan to represent? Have you already reached the idea

number for you yet?

Barbara---I’m not sure yet, this is a new endeavor and we’re still growing.

GMT---What can you, as a talent agent, do for an artist that they can’t do for themselves?

Barbara---Many people are embarrassed to call for themselves, and it is hard to brag on yourself and your ministry. I can do that and have been blessed with a good gift of talking!!!!!

GMT---Do you handle PR for the artist as well or just booking?

Barbara---I do try to promote them all on our website www.JubileeMusicArtists.org. There are video clips of all artists represented by this agency along with their schedules.

At some point I would love to do more. The Jubilee Homecoming Videos are a great tool of promotion even if I am not their agent.

GMT---Does the quality of an artists booking usually go up when they sign with a talent agent?

Barbara---Yes, because of my experience, I can ask for things they cannot. The amazing thing today is that the love offerings for the most part are the same as they were 25 years ago! The cost of fuel, food, wardrobe, etc have gone up tremendously. We just need people to understand that when they want a group to come for a love offering!

GMT---So are you booking both full-time as well as part-time artists currently?

Barbara---Yes

GMT---Do you only book artists for flat rates, or do you also book them in places for a freewill

offering and expenses?

Barbara---Both. You can go to the promoters page on the website and the contact information is in there.

GMT---What else about what you do would our readers find interesting Barbara?

Barbara---That I am sincere in what I do. I love to teach music to some degree and I also love to sing and direct choirs. One day I truly believe God will allow me to direct a great big choir!

GMT---I can’t imagine starting something like this without some “behind the scenes” support, what

does your family think about this project?

Barbara---I could not do this without my family and friends behind me. They are there for me. Thanks to all of them.

GMT---I know you did some fill in work for the Rambos, how did Miss Dottie’s passing affect you

personally?

Barbara---You know, I always thought it would be her health that took her to Heaven. God in His mercy took her before it would come to that. I was shocked of course, but we all know she is in a mansion next door to Jesus!

GMT---I would hate to end this interview without giving you the opportunity for a little free

advertising, after all you were kind enough to sit down long enough for this interview. How can

artists that would be interested in you representing them contact you? Also, what’s the procedure

if I am a promoter or pastor wanting to book one of your artists for a concert?

Barbara---Go to our website www.JubileeMusicArtists.org click on promoters page and then the contact button. I will be glad to work with you. We are based on singing and promoting the gospel through His word and music. Many churches want to know if we have anyone to preach. My husband , Phil Smith of the Smith Family and Ivan Hodge are all ministers. J.D. Sumner once said that if we are there to sing, then sing and leave the preaching to whoever is supposed to do it and if there is to be preaching, our main concern is to set the stage for the preacher to walk up behind that pulpit and preach the word because the Spirit is already there. How much better it is to preach if the folks are already in the Spirit! Ha! Sometimes singing leads in such a way, the preacher doesn’t get to preach. A good song, can

preach a strong message. Any artist or promoter can go to website for contact information.

GMT---Any final thoughts on anything we left out of this interview Barbara?

Barbara---Just talk it, walk it, and be real. That is the most important part. It is not about You, Nor Me, it's all about HIM!

GMT---There you have it, now you have a good understanding of who Barbara Roach is, where

she came from as well as where she is going. It seems as if not only is this lady never going to

stop, but I can’t see her even slowing her down. If you are an artist, promoter or pastor that can

use her services be sure and contact her, she is a great lady and you will be happy to refer to her

as your friend, as we do here at the Gospel Music Times.

From the May 19, 2008 archives of the gospelmusictimes.com