Hosts with Conservative Audiences & Profanity Issues

A host asks, “These events are sponsored by our ministry and we gather a mostly conservative audience. Where can we convey to inquiring artists to avoid using any profanity and lyrics that might be offensive or divisive?”

As a host or venue, it’s very important to be clear about your needs BEFORE a booking takes place. Artists don’t just play songs, but create a show and narrative that represents their authentic experience and expression. You do not want to ask them to change their show at the last minute. Some artists can make these adjustments but it can negatively affect their performance if they don’t have ample time. A performer can fall into the well-rehearsed routine and forget to omit the intended word, phrase or song.

In your LRN profile’s “booking info” I would add

Please refrain from using profanity or offensive material when performing here. We have a conservative audience.

I would re-state this request within 48 hours of the show. Since it’s also good to touch base by email with the artist a day or two in advance of their arrival, I would include it there, and also mention any unconfirmed details like arrival time and food needs.

Example:
a. Arrival Time: It’s best to arrive between 4p-4:30p for our 7pm show. If you need to arrive sooner than that please let us know in advance.
b. Pre-Show Food: We plan on having a salad and pasta dish with meat for you. It’s not too late for us to make something special for you if you let us know.
c. Reminder: Please refrain from using profanity or offensive material when performing here. We have a conservative audience.

Behind the storms of daily conflict, crisis and struggle, it is the artist, and the poet and the musician that continues the quiet work of the centuries, building bridges of experience between peoples, reminding us of the universality of our feelings, desires, and despairs, and reminding us that the forces that unite are deeper than those that divide.

John F Kennedy