Kirk Franklin is an American gospel music artist, songwriter, choir director, and author. He is known as one of the most influential figures in contemporary gospel music. Franklin has sold over 13 million albums worldwide and has garnered many awards, including 12 Grammy Awards. With his unique style that blends gospel, R&B, hip hop, and other genres, Kirk Franklin has had a profound impact on gospel music. Naturally, many people wonder how much it would cost to book Kirk Franklin for an event or performance. There are several factors that determine Kirk Franklin’s booking fees, which this article will explore in detail.
Kirk Franklin’s Popularity and Draw
As one of the biggest names in gospel music, Kirk Franklin is in high demand. He has a large and devoted fanbase that is eager to see him perform live. Franklin has proven his ability to sell out arenas all over the world in the past. Promoters know that Kirk Franklin will attract big crowds, which enables him to command high performance fees. His name recognition and reputation for energetic, inspiring live shows make him a hot commodity. So right out of the gate, Franklin’s popularity and draw as a performer put him in a higher fee bracket.
Type of Event
The type of event that wants to book Kirk Franklin is a major factor in his booking costs. There is a big difference between a private corporate event versus a large music festival or solo concert tour. A small private event likely has a much lower budget than a huge concert venue booking Franklin. Corporate events and weddings may only be a one hour intimate performance rather than a full concert. Churches also frequently book Kirk Franklin for special services and performances. The longer Franklin is expected to perform, the higher his fee will be. His manager will estimate how much revenue Franklin can generate for that specific event and price accordingly.
Location of Event
Kirk Franklin charges higher booking fees for events located in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, London, Las Vegas, and Toronto. He can command top dollar for performances in big metro markets where there is high demand and venues have larger budgets. But he may be more affordable for events located in smaller suburbs or rural areas. There are additional factors related to location as well. If it is an international performance, that requires extensive travel and planning which will be reflected in a higher fee. If the location makes the logistics much more difficult and expensive, Franklin’s manager will account for that in their price quote.
Overhead Costs
When considering how much does it cost to book Kirk Franklin, his base performance fee is just one portion. The overhead costs associated with putting on a Kirk Franklin concert are factored in as well. These costs include:
- Travel for Franklin and his entourage
- Hotel rooms/accommodations
- Sound equipment and stage rental
- Lighting production
- Security
- Insurance
- Backup singers, dancers, and band member fees
- Meals, per diem, and hospitality
Franklin may require first class flights, limo transportation, and luxury hotel suites for himself and his team. Large venues have their own in-house equipment and staff, but smaller events may have to rent state-of-the-art sound systems and lighting rigs. Security is non-negotiable for Kirk Franklin’s protection. All of these additional costs get bundled into the total booking fee quote. The more needs that the event organizer asks Franklin’s team to arrange, the higher the price.
A Breakdown of Kirk Franklin’s Fees
While exact pricing is not publicly listed, industry experts estimate Kirk Franklin’s booking fees fall into these general ranges:
- Church performance: $75,000 – $100,000
- Private corporate event: $150,000 – $250,000
- Mid-size concert venue: $250,000 – $400,000
- Music festival or similar sized event: $500,000 – $800,000
- Large arena concert: $750,000 – $1,000,000+
As you can see, Franklin’s fees vary widely based on the factors discussed previously. A church Sunday service appearance is much less than an international music festival. His fee for a private 60 minute set would be less than a 3 hour arena concert. But in general, Kirk Franklin’s booking fee starts around $100,000 on the low end, and can exceed $1 million for huge events. He likely earns between $5-10 million annually from live performances.
How Kirk Franklin’s Fees Compare
Compared to other big name gospel artists, Kirk Franklin commands top level fees. Artists like Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, Smokie Norful, and Fred Hammond may charge $50-$100k. Up and coming gospel acts may only get $10-$25k. Kirk Franklin can ask for 10-20x more because of his fame and draw. In terms of general music artists, Franklin’s fees are on par with top pop, rap, R&B, and country musicians for arena concerts. As far as private events, Kirk’s fees are in line with second tier acts across genres. So while he has immense popularity in the gospel community, his booking costs translate to being an upper mid-level performer in relation to mainstream music artists. But Franklin’s fees reflect his outstanding reputation and career accomplishments in the gospel genre specifically.
Is Kirk Franklin Worth the Price?
Given Kirk Franklin’s high booking fees, is he worth the investment? For most event organizers, the answer is a resounding yes. Here are some of the benefits and value Franklin provides at any price point:
- Brings in large crowds of loyal fans
- Delivers an incredibly high energy stage show
- Over 20 years of hit songs to draw from
- Ideal for gospel music lovers of all ages
- Provides an uplifting, inspiring vibe
- Has mainstream crossover appeal
- Excellent reputation for professionalism
- Puts on a world-class production
Very few artists can match Kirk Franklin’s combination of musical talent, discography, showmanship, and fan devotion. He consistently delivers transcendent live performances that fans remember forever. Plus he handles all the behind the scenes work seamlessly. While the six to seven figure costs seem astronomical at first, Franklin does everything possible to make sure the client gets their money’s worth. For fans, promoters, churches, and corporate brands aligned with his spiritual focus, Kirk Franklin is well worth the investment.
How to Book Kirk Franklin
If you have determined that your event or venue has the sufficient budget, the process for booking Kirk Franklin is relatively straightforward:
- Contact Franklin’s booking agent and manager Derrick Williams at [email protected]. Provide initial background on your organization, event details, desired date, and estimated budget.
- His team will respond with more specific availability, pricing, and contract information.
- Negotiate any specifics around fees, venue, set length, travel logistics, promotions, etc.
- Formalize booking by signing entertainment contract and submitting deposit payment.
- Work with Franklin’s team on technical requirements, stage design, lighting, and rehearsal schedule.
- Promote Kirk Franklin’s appearance leading up to the event.
- Pay remainder of fee either upfront or just following the performance.
Reputable booking agents like Derrick Williams make the process seamless. They ensure Mr. Franklin is properly contracted and compensated. Build a strong professional relationship with Kirk Franklin’s team to facilitate more bookings in the future.
Saving Money on Booking Kirk Franklin
If your budget is tight, there are ways to potentially lower Kirk Franklin’s fee:
- Book farther in advance – dates that are newly added to his tour can be negotiated
- Schedule shows on weeknights or Sundays instead of peak Fridays/Saturdays
- Have Franklin already scheduled to be in same general region, minimizing travel
- See if you can get sponsorship or grants to cover fee
- Partner with other venues or promoters to share costs
- Offer Franklin ability to sell VIP experiences and merchandise
- Agree to plaintext advertising rather than video/image ads
- Keep technical rider needs simple
Essentially being flexible, proactive, and reasonable on your requests enables Franklin’s team to be flexible on price. Their goal is making sure Kirk can put on a proper show while still making a profit. Work with them, not against them, to reduce costs!
Conclusion
Kirk Franklin remains one of the most elite artists in gospel music. His legendary career and extensive catalog of hits allow him to charge six figure fees to headline events worldwide. On average, Franklin costs $100k – $250k for private functions, and up to $1 million or more for huge concerts. Though expensive, he’s worth every penny to experience his incredible live performances. With thoughtful budgeting, negotiation, and planning, your organization can afford to book Kirk Franklin and wow your audience!