Who would have thought that choir master Ricky Dillard, who currently has the #1 Gospel song in the country, had second thoughts about being in the industry? According to The Christian Post, despite his success on and off of radio airwaves, Dillard questioned being a choir master as the gospel music industry began to change over the years.
“Sometimes the industry forces us to do other things to maintain relevance. I have just been determined to pursue what I believe God placed in me to do,” Dillard told CP. “Sticking with it hasn’t been easy. For years, there was a concerted effort, and seemingly a movement, to eradicate choirs from radio play and the industry at large.”
The songwriter, producer and recording artist was advised by many people to move away from directing his choir to keep up with the changing times and even considered taking that step.
“It was a very sobering and depressing time, feeling like I was swimming against the current,” Dillard told CP. “But the more I thought about shifting, the less I felt connected to what I had known and loved. I couldn’t just abandon the choir.”
After receiving calls, emails and social media messages from various choir directors around the world, Dillard knew he couldn’t walk away from those people who looked to him for fresh examples of things to teach their choirs. That encouragement kept Dillard focused and he released the album “Amazing” with New G last June.
