Ever wonder how a lesser-known artist gets to open for the big guy you paid money to see?  He pays.

Well, actually his label usually pays.  How much?  Depends.

There’s usually a bidding war for an opening slot on a big tour – because there aren’t many big tours in Christian music circles.  Managers for potential openers sit down with label folks and decide how much can be afforded.  Then they or the label talk with the headlining artist’s manager or label and make an offer.  I’ve been in bidding wars that went upwards of $100,000.  That’s right, $100,000 for twenty minutes on stage without my band, playing music no one came to hear while people are finding their seats – for only thirty nights.  (You’d have to sell about 100,000 CDs to make back that kind of cash.)

The money goes to pay production costs (and a percentage goes to the manager). All that important tour gear has to get paid for somehow unless you want ticket prices to go up.

Anyway, that’s not the point of this post.  The point is this:  Mercy Me has a blog.  (Wait for it.)

I never toured with these fellow Texans because the price tag was too rich for our blood (and our bank accounts).  But I love these guys.  My mom loves these guys.  And my friend Brody says they need my help.  So here’s what I’m gonna do.  I’ll give Mercy Me a slot in my blogroll over there on the right – off on the side where few people read and click – for only $100,000.  Unless someone else who needs my help offers me more.

Or maybe not.  Maybe I’ll link to them just because, you know, I like what they’re about, we care about the same stuff, and they’re good at what they do and my mom and I like them. 

Naaah.  That’s crazy talk.  I’ve got bills to pay.

No personal checks please.