Here’s a brief explanation of our heart behind the decision to not go with iTunes for the sale of our new record “Wide Open Spaces”. What’s your opinion?
The iTunes Explanation
21 CommentsMay 28, 2010
Categories: Blog@12:37 pm 
Categories: Blog@12:37 pm 21 Responses to
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FFH RECORDS FIRST CHRISTMAS ALBUM
One Silent Night Releases Nationwide Oct. 18
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Sept. 30, 2011– Best-selling pop group FFH will usher in the holiday season with its first Christmas album. One Silent Night, available Oct. 18, is a mix of original songs and Christmas classics.
Produced by FFH founding member Jeromy Deibler, One Silent Night has been four Read More
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- ©2012 FFH-
I am like others in that I prefer to get the music via download. I used to like the cases, but I got tired of having them pile up on a shelf somewhere. I now prefer to go to iTunes and get an album or several songs. I also like to keep up with all my favorite artists via iTunes and have the ability to see other artists who I may not have heard of yet via the Genius feature.
I ask that you reconsider this decision. I don’t want to pay $9.99 for an album and then pay and extra $5-8 for shipping to get another CD case that will just take up room on my shelves after I burn it to iTunes for listening to it on my iPod.
With this decision, I will probably only purchase Undone off of iTunes and not get the album.
I’ve not read through all the comments, but I suppose they don’t matter anyway since they have no bearing on my thoughts.
I get what you’re saying about the connection to the fans. However, I’m not sure restricting the sale of the album to your website is really going to build any connection other than the fact that you’ll have my mailing address. If your intent is to spam my mailbox (physical or email), then no thanks. Definitely not saying that’s the intent as I doubt it is, but that’s the only thing that comes to mind as far as this approach being a method to “connect” with the audience. I mean, unless you’re planning to deliver them in-person! 
I guess what I’m trying to say is that if people want to follow you more closely, there are links at the bottom of this page for Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. If they don’t want to … then that’s their prerogative and order the album from this site probably isn’t going to change that. I think this could also restrict the number of fans (new and existing) that are exposed to the album. I’ve found new artists and new albums from existing artists on iTunes and other sites as suggestions based on something I bought. That can’t happen this way. Also, other than radio (I heart KLOVE!), I listen to 90% of my music in a digital format. I could honestly care less about the CD and the jewel case. Not everyone is that way, but that’s me. So I’d like to make a suggestion if you do choose to continue the sale of the new album only through your site: offer it in digital format as a download (preferably with per-song pricing too). Having the single on iTunes, as you now do, can make people aware of the new album and drive them to the site where they can purchase and download the rest of the album. Seems like a good compromise to me! Anyway, the choice is yours of course. And we just pray that God continues to work through you minister to His people and bring others to Him! Thanks for sharing!
Guys! I was JUST JOKING about the wine comment! Very dry sense of humor!
If you don’t want to be on iTunes I respect that, but why all sites? I really wanted to download undone on my Zune pass, but it looks like I wont be getting it after all. It is kind of messed up however to site drinking as the devils work and then justifying not selling on iTunes because you think your songs are worth more money. I do really like your music, but I guess I’m just going to be stuck on the radio from now on.
just a few thoughts and no meant disrespect…. For your arduous fans selling it on your website is fine to get to know them. But for fringe fans they only like one or two songs on the cd. Also as far as i Know you cannot only buy one song you have to buy the whole album. Secondly people who use itunes already have their account information in a safe location and also in a location that helps them stay up on all musical tastes coming out. To not but your music in a marketplace like itunes is kind of insulting. If you want to be that expensive bottle of wine so to speak you can still do that in a large marketplace. But last time i checked you were trying to spread the gospel through music and i am pretty sure its free.
You know my feelings on your songs Jeromy–I love them. They have so much meaning to them and God really uses FFH in a mighty way through your music.
iTunes is great for some things, but not everything. If you guys dont want to use itunes to promote your new album its your business and if people don’t understand your reasons behind it, then they just need to go on and not ridicule your decision.
I know that some don’t agree with the comment made about drinking wine being of the devil. I totally agree!! I don’t see the point behind drinking anything of that nature. I think its stupid. I hear, “Its an aquired taste” or “Whats wrong with having a glass of wine or a beer with dinner?” I just don’t see the point. I don’t agree with it. I get a lot of flack from various people because of the fact that I dont drink. Well, I guess I’ll just have to continue to get flack. But I know in the end that my decision to NOT partake in that kind of stuff, pleases the Lord.
You guys ROCK and you have my full support!
Blessings!!!
Jeromy:
In the current music economy, thinking as a musician, I wonder if you are missing some opportunity by not being on iTunes. From our limited experience it is not costly to have your album added there, and I am confident that you would have some sales on iTunes that you will not generate via the ffh site. Sure those may not generate the same amount of support for FFH, but if it’s +added+ support to other areas it would be a bonus, right?
As a long-time FFH fan, I will find you and buy your music where you make it available, so i’m cool with getting it here.
I want to argue that there is likely a significant number of FFH friends (I’m making an educated guess on the demographic) who may not be following you on Twitter or spend time surfing to your website or maybe just heard you on the radio, who would go to iTunes looking for you and not find the new music. Thinking about that, though, I wonder if those people I’m imagining are iTunes people at all, or if that group would be looking for you at Lifeway or Walmart, so hopefully they find you there.
I am interested to see how this works out for you- I hope it is very good, because I want your family to be supported the best way possible. I will do everything in my limited power to get people to come to ffh.net and get the album. You guys have been a blessing to me and my family for a long time. May God continue to bless and guide you!
Brody: the only fault I find in your statement is that it is not easier than iTunes -after- the download, there are a few steps to getting the music into your iTunes library (or other player of choice). BTW, I am delighted to see Jeromy & Jennifer working with Skörinc- I have been admiring your work for a while and love what you do for artists. Keep it up & be blessed!
I love your new song UNDONE. It says so much. I am saddened that it will not be on iTunes however. I usually buy my music there primarily because sometimes I cannot afford the price of the whole CD so I can buy my favorites a little at a time. I bless you in the name of Jesus for your work. You have such beautiful music on this new CD from what I have sampled so far. I came across it on K-love by accident (or was it). Thanks for your obedience.
Kudos to you, FFH; I completely agree!
I personally believe this rapidly advancing technology is ridiculous and it will eventually go too far. I still buy real, tangible CDs and I will continue to do so unless they stop making them. As a newly published author, I understand the decisions that need to be made in this area, except with books rather than music.
But anyway…
Your music is great! It helped me get through some tough times, so I will continue to support you, no matter what format you choose. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Very cool. Love your integrity! Full respect for your decision. Love the song “Undone.” Peace, joy and love your way….
I had intended to buy the album on iTunes. Unfortunately I will have to just listen to the songs on YouTube now. I think this is a bad decision. I think your music is amazing.
i think this is a bad idea.
i think that i tunes is a place to get exposure. i think this will hurt album sales. if that is not a factor than i can respect that, but i think it limits your audience to people who already know you and know your music. i think the chance of someone happening on your website who has never heard you, or heard OF you, and buying the album is not very good. i think people are more likely to listen and try music that is recomended to them as similar to the stuff that they already buy. i understand that this might be a little insulting to an artist who wants to be individual and be recognised FOR the art they produce, but an artist who only shows his art to family is not going to be as popular as the artist who sell his paintings in walmart (thomas kinkade lol).
i think another problem that you run into is people thinking that you see yourself as too good for itunes. that you are going to make a statement and beat the system to be cool. the TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL effect. i don’t believe that is where your heart is, but i am saying peolpe might mistake it for that.
on the other hand…
don’t get me wrong. i think connecting with fans on a grass roots level is SUPER important, and invaluable. if this works to build a very close fan base for you then it is worth the risk. close knit fans who will do anything for you can change the world in this social networked era.
if you do it and it goes well you could “revolutionise the industry” and then people will be saying about you what they are saying about itunes being the way it is done.
risks must be taken if large scale change is to happen.
if you believe this is what you need to do then i say go for it, however it seems to me you will only be showing your art to a core group of followers, and limiting your exposure.
good luck.
wish you guys the best either way.
Sorry – having a hard time paying attention to what you said because I was so busy trying to figure out why it looks like you’re driving from the passenger side of the car.
What’s up with that? But seriously – I buy all my music on ITunes, so kind of bummed I can’t get it there. Have to respect your decision though. Your music is awesome in any location.
I loved your music and was so thrilled when I heard about your new album. I am disappointed you didn’t go with iTunes, because you can have a wider audience (and I buy all of my music through iTunes). Thanks for asking:)
It doesn’t matter to me if I could listen to the whole album from beginning to end on the website. These days, most of my music purchases happen directly from my iPhone. When I purchase a song on my phone, I don’t have to rip the CD down to my laptop, create a playlist for the CD, go to in to mark it for the next sync, then sync my phone. When I buy a song, album, whatever; it is immediately downloaded to the device I will listen to it on. So, no the website features do not change my opinion.
I’m old fashioned, and I like to have a hard copy of the cd in hand, so I typically buy ALL my music at either live shows or a Christian bookstore. You ARE joking about the whole wine thing, correct? You’re kind of hard to read. I’m guessing you have a dry (pun intended) sense of humor
I think there are some valid arguments here, but I’m noticing that one has to do with the actual iTunes page – “if it isn’t on iTunes, I probably won’t buy it.” and the other is technology – ” iTunes has changed the way songs are purchased”.
My question to both of these statements would be this. Have you been to the home page of this website? You can not only sample every song – just like iTunes, purchase every song – just like iTunes, but it’s actually one step easier in that you don’t have to go to iTunes to but it. You can buy it here with the same technology that iTunes has.
Does that change the argument at all?
First, I want to say I am a fan who loves many of your songs including “Big Fish,” “Still the Cross” and “God of the Promise.” I have to respectfully disagree with your decision to opt out of iTunes. I believe it portrays an ignorance of recent music history.
It was not that long ago when young people were getting their music free through Napster and other sites. Young people, being computer savy, knew exactly where to get any song they wanted without paying for it.
Then along came iTunes… Steve Jobs had to convince young people to pay for music which they could get for free. That is why he initially limited the price per song to 99 cents. With music distributors released from paying manufacturing, delivery and store costs, and even Apple hosting the songs on their computers, overhead would be minimal. It took a while, but now a majority of young people now feel comfortable paying for their songs.
Today iTunes allows two price points of 99 cents to @1.29 per song, with more range on albums. Now I suppose without those limits you could charge $10 a song, but few would buy it. Music retailers in the old system sold most albums at about the same price anyway, other than discounted albums they just wanted to get rid of. The store took a cut on any sale. For many lesser known bands, they might not get any shelf space or poor shelf space, reducing their potential for sales.
All I am saying is that iTunes has changed the way songs are purchased, but despite your feelings, I think mostly for the better. Today I can hear the song before I purchase it. In the old days, you might purchase an album on faith that the artist was good, only to find that most of the songs were horse dung.
Today, not only can I hear the songs beforehand, but I can also avoid the songs that I don’t like by purchasing songs individually. I probably spend way more on music today, but I know that what I purchase is something I like. I purchase from more bands and try more new bands because I don’t have to purchase the whole album. I can try a song and see if I like it. That is how I found your band. You are not in the top tier Praise and worship list. But because I was able to try a song or two, I became a fan and talk about you to others who have not heard.
When I purchased CD’s in a music store I had no more connection with the artist than now. I don’t feel any more connected with you purchasing the songs on your website vs purchasing on iTunes. I am still dealing with a computer. iTunes allows exposure to artists exactly like yourselves to new audiences precisely for the things you complain about. Low prices means songs can be tried by lesser known bands. Genius allows for similar songs to be recommended of lesser known artists. iTunes is easy to use and accessible to everyone.
While I respect your decision, it is yours to make, I have to say I feel like it is like someone saying in the age of cars they are going to stay with a horse and buggy because one can have a relationship with the thing pulling you. I urge you not to kick against the gourds and accept that iTunes is going to help you more than it is going to hurt. New technology is to be embraced and not shunned. Yes, things have changed in the music world, but those lemons can be made into a really wonderful lemonade.
Jeromy,
After watching your i-tunes explanation, all I can say is that I respect you a lot, and always will
Till we meet again in Heaven.
Blessings, and Peace!
Mike Schaffran
Can’t view the video for some reason, but honestly, as much as I love your music, if it isn’t on iTunes, I probably won’t buy it.
I can understand why you would want to do this. I hope it proves effective for you!
Have a great day!
Jarrod Spencer
Northwest Kansas