Sean pointed us to Christianity Today‘s interview with Derek about The Ringing Bell, his career, etc. Two questions really struck me, so I’ll quote them:
Aside from growth in size, have you noticed other changes in your audience since giving away your album?
Webb: It felt like a dramatic turning point, especially at live events. There were venues where we’d normally play for a couple hundred people, and we were up to six or seven hundred, sometimes sellout crowds. They definitely seem more engaged than usual too, especially with songs from Mockingbird. I feel a serious kind of camaraderie. Before, people sat and listened to the songs and took it in. Now people are more responsive, singing and reacting to the songs.
Obviously some aren’t too keen about the subjects you’ve tackled. Have you taken flak from audiences for the political and ethical issues you raised with Mockingbird?
Webb: It’s interesting. I think little by little, as you find your audience and start to figure out who is most supportive, you start to develop deeper relationships with them. And, in the process, you start communicating less with the other side because the songs aren’t resonating with them.
So while there was some fallout, I’ve not heard a lot about it. The majority of people I hear from talk to me after the shows or write on my site’s message boards. But they are the ones who are with you, support you, and want to hang out. The ones who don’t agree have either stopped buying records and coming to shows, or else are leaving and not sticking around. They don’t care enough to tell you about it.
Also, I’m not big enough to make much of a splash. People would be more upset about it all if I sold a bunch of albums. But I don’t, and so they probably don’t think I’m much of a threat. Which is fine, because I don’t want to be a threat to anybody!
Give the whole thing a read, if you would. [It's Friday afternoon. Surely you're not working. 
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