CD ethics question

Subject: CD ethics question
From: Cool Beans
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 09:46 AM

I'm going to be playing at the open mic portion at a coffeehouse where I have been the featured performer several times. I have a new CD out which has several songs that the audience at this coffeehouse likes. The featured performers at the upcoming evening also have a new CD and I feel it would be wrong to step on their toes by selling my new CD. But I'm willing to be talked out of my reluctance. Your thoughts?

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 09:59 AM

I'd think anyone who puts out a CD would recognize that others with new CDs also need to announce their product.... if you really worry, a simple inquiry with the featured group might be the best way to make everyone comfortable.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 10:08 AM

What if I were in the audience and I liked you better than the featured act. Shouldn't I be able to buy your CD?

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 11:03 AM

I've been to concerts with several acts on the bill - all with CDs and all advertised as for sale on the same table. Sell!

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 11:09 AM

I'm with Will on this one, but a quick check with the featured guests should put your mind at rest.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 11:28 AM

You can let folks know via mic that you have CD's (and mailing list), and to see you after, but not take the featured ppl's prime selling space or use visual materials that are bigger/more flashy than theirs. They might invite you to share space or take turns tending each others' stock. They might buy your CD, too. A word with them, I agree, is in order.

You might also leave a few with the venue w/price stickers to be sold when you're not there, if they're interested in consignments.

~Susan

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST, Paul Slade
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 11:29 AM

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST, Paul Slade
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 11:37 AM

Touch of premature expostulation on that last post - apologies.

I've been to plenty of gigs where the main act and the support act share a merchandising table with both's CDs on display. You're every bit as entitled to sell your CDs as this gig as the headliners are, and they'd have to be a real bunch of dicks to object.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 01 Dec 15 - 12:33 PM

I've done it loads of times - I always run it past the headlining artist(s) first, as a matter of courtesy. Never been refused, always put my stuff out with theirs, no problems.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 02:55 AM

My folk club has a main act + support act each month & we assume both acts will have CDs, & have space on the leaflet/magazines table for them.

I've been to folk clubs & concerts in community centres, theatres, bars & church halls & always find a sales table when performers have CDs, it seem to be an Australia-wide principle that performers with recordings can sell them.

sandra

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 03:15 AM

There is nothing ethical to consider whatsoever!!!

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 05:16 AM

We always run a merchandising table at any gigs we put on, staffed by one of our volunteer stewards. (Occasionaly the artiste's partner might want to do this). Any performer can entrust us to sell their CDs for them. Never come across anyone objecting to support artiste's CDs being sold, even from the same table.
As an aside to this, we have sometimes asked for 10% of any sales to be donated to our festival funds, and/or a CD to be donated to the mandatory folk club raffle.
And as a further aside, I was more than delighted when our last headliner very kindly gave me one of her CDs for having done the selling job that evening.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 09:52 AM

Why not be a wee bit cheeky and ask the guest performers to plug your CD and offer to plug their CD in return.
I always feel it's kinda like blowing their own trumpet when singers plug their own CDs (even though I'm wrong and they are perfectly entitled to promote themselves).

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: kendall
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 08:57 AM

It is written that Forgiveness is easier to get than permission. However, in this case, ask. Personally, if you are going to perform, you should be allowed to sell your products.

Abe Lincoln said, "A lawyer's time and advice are his stock in trade," for we artists, our stock in trade is CDs, books, etc.

I went for a haircut yesterday and sold three books. :-)

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 10:53 AM

Personally, if you are going to perform, you should be allowed to sell your products.

Depends on the contracts between you and the promoter and between the promoter and the venue.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST,Paul Clarke
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 12:48 PM

Even if you asked and were refused (unlikely in such a low-profile venue as a coffeehouse), anyone interested in your music is sure to seek you out after the slot and ask. Also, if the MC doesn't announce YOU as a player who's been featured at this venue before (which implies that you're a regular and at least half-way decent, thus might well have made recordings), they're not really doing their job to its fullest extent. Hardly any audience members are not going to know that most good musicians have recorded themselves to a technically high level, so while you might lose a few such ignoramuses, that's hardly worth losing sleep over.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: JHW
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 02:17 PM

I added a CD to the raffle prizes last time out as subsidiary turn, so it got announced when they drew the raffle.
No-one asked after one but it was the first raffle prize taken.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: kendall
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 03:03 PM

Guest, some things are taken for granted.
Steve Romanoff of Schooner Fare often says, "We have some CDs if you want them; they are blocking the exits there.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 03:45 PM

Personally, I wonder about 'Cool Beans' polite ethics in not bothering to reply for over two days...

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Hagman
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 07:16 PM

Oh, come on, Guest, that's not fair or reasonable at all. You're assuming everyone is 24/7/365 attached to Mudcat? Let's hope he/she is not banged up in an Emergency Ward, or, even worse, actually out working somewhere.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: kendall
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 07:45 PM

I seldom come here anymore myself.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: EBarnacle
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 12:29 AM

I believe that Steve Romanoff has left for the bigger venue in the wherever.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: kendall
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 09:41 AM

What? first I've heard of it.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: maeve
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 10:01 AM

EBarnacle, are you perhaps thinking of Tom Rowe, also part of Schooner Fare? Steve's still around from everything I can see.

Maeve

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 12:03 PM

I am beginning to think that unless you want to promote to agencies, or just do it for your own satisfaction, there is not much point in making a cd. I suppose that would not be true if you already have a big following, but for the rest of us, maybe not. last night I played a new open mic where I did not know many there. it went well and they picked up on the choruses and sang along. but no one bought the cd even though it is only a fiver and for charity. I am fortunate that I don't need to recover any outlay , and really done the cd because of a sense of achievement. I have sold a few, 20 plus, but it has been patchy. do others find the same, or is it just me !

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 04 Dec 15 - 12:18 PM

oh, and I meant to add that I am the opposite of pushy , and have bought others cd,s in the past. but I suppose its getting to be too many of us recording now.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: open mike
Date: 05 Dec 15 - 03:50 AM

the only reason not to sell or promote the c.d. would be if it had a song by the "other" performer on it! Often performers are paid less than a living wage....and product sales make up the difference... like a waiter or waitress getting less than minimum wage....it is EXPECTED that they will get tips/gratuities commensurate with their service (or in this case music) If you are lucky the venue will NOT require a commission on sales as I have seen some laces require.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: Cool Beans
Date: 05 Dec 15 - 11:22 AM

Hi, all, and thanks for the advice. I did ask the featured performers and they had no problem with me selling my CD. Pete from seven stars raises an interesting point, could be another whole thread topic.

Subject: RE: CD ethics question
From: maeve
Date: 05 Dec 15 - 12:50 PM

Thanks for letting us know!