BS: The selling of Autographs

Subject: The selling of Autographs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 01:22 PM

I won't mention names here, but I got an e-mail from a fellow 'catter who saw one of my musical heros last night. He was lucky enough to get backstage and tried to get an autograph. The artist was only selling autographs or giving them "free" if you bought a CD or T-Shirt.

The person who asked for the autograph probably bought several of the artists albums over the years, has most likely introduced his music to others who have in turn bought his albums, so I would think it would be a courtesy to give an autograph.

Having said that, so many people get autographs now only to turn around and sell them, so perhaps the celebrity has the right to some remuneration.

I know I wouldn't pay anyone for their signature.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 01:35 PM

That's pretty tacky but it looks like the industry is headed in that direction. I have a few autographed CD's and LP's but I've never been charged for one. Iwould think buying a ticket for the concert would be good enough - I wonder how the artist justifys that.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 01:35 PM

Most folk performers would probably pay you for accepting an autograph.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 01:39 PM

Dick,

I know what you're saying. The only reason that I'm not mentioning names is that as Wesley said, the industry is heading that way. This was not some rocker though, it was a Bluegrass legend.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 01:56 PM

That's sad...

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 02:31 PM

What price ownership, eh? Either they should give them to concert-goers or not at all. It's not like an author who sits at a bookstore all day signing books purchased; that is their sole purpose for being there to sign, not to give a concert, etc.

Really sad.

On the other hand, imagine how much AllanC will make some day selling all of our signatures on the guitar which made the Mudcat Adventure Trip!!**BG** (Just kidding, Allan, I know nothing will ever part you and that guitar!)

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Amergin
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 02:48 PM

I have a few autographed things...but they were all freely given...two autographed songbooks...a postcard....and a cd....I can't imagine charging anyone for a signature....

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: DougR
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 06:51 PM

Perhaps, Steve, you would be doing others a service by identifying the egomaniac you are referring to. I can't imagine someone actually paying for an autograph, but I suppose some people will.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: mousethief
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 06:54 PM

On a related note, a friend reported back from a joint concert between Al Stewart and Don McLean. There was a huge line of people waiting for autographs, and Don McLean came out after the show, looked at the line, and said, "I will only sign my name, no dedications or messages or anything."

He then sat down at a table and was resolutely ignored by the entire line, which was waiting for Al Stewart to come out.

Alex

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: YOR
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 07:02 PM

I was at the Baseball Hall of Fame about 8 years ago. It was sad to see all the famous slugs charging little kids 10 bucks for thier signature. Thats pretty low if you ask me.

IMHSAO: In my humble "stuborn ass" opinion.

Roy

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 08:07 PM

Truly pathetic. Mick Moloney, Eugene O'Donnel, Seamus Eagan, De Dannan, lots of others don't charge. What a load........

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: DougR
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 08:25 PM

Alex: that's a great story!

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 08:33 PM

All right, I'll be the Devil's Advocate here:

The purpose of this musician's being there at the table is to sell the CDs or T-shirts; right? He doesn't want the line to build up and put off actual CD buyers with the wait. If it gets out that he'll give his autograph in that situation, a bunch of non-buying fans may very well build up that line and really cost him money in actual sales which would put bread on his table.

He (and I'm assuming "he" here) may well see his autograph as a sweetener for his own sales, as opposed to store or web sales. His own sales will return a LOT higher percentage of profit per unit sale.

Also, depending on the number of buyers and the number of non-buyers in line, the resulting burden of work--and it IS work, relating to people in line, signing your name and signing your name and signing your name and signing your name--after he's already done a show is not inconsiderable. And he just might be in a time crunch before the next thing on his schedule, which might be getting on a bus or plane to the next show, or even just getting some shut-eye.

It's easy to be critical when disappointed, but try to see it from the point of view of the performer.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 09:00 PM

Well, Dave, I am a performer and I still think it sucks.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 09:50 PM

I have autographed records from Jean Redpath, Jean Richie, Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger, Tom Paley, David Jones, ......and I suppose 15-20 more, 'most' of which you'd all know.. [several of whom wrote messages] ...(and Copper family book signed by Bob Copper).....and none ever was less than gracious about it. (I always waited till calm times...as in after a concert to ask)

I think it reflects the general attitude of people who sing 'folk' that they simply try to accomodate reasonable requests.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:17 PM

i have got harpmakers auto graph, on his CD, it was free, it's a good CD, he is playing a harp that he made hinself and Christine (mrs harpmaker) is singing, if you want to buy it just send him a PM.john

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Allan Dennehy
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:43 PM

Steve, I wish that you would name the artist. People like that suck.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:48 PM

I think we have some confusion here--it appears most artists will freely sign a CD, tape or T-shirt if it is purchased at the concert. It looks to me like the non specified artist is charging to sign napkins and programs--things that were not purchased from him/her. Is this correct? I garuntee this would NOT happen at Winfield or any other festival I am familiar with. Perfomrers will sign ANYTHING!! for free.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: DougR
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 03:15 AM

And I think that is the way it should be, Sorcha! Good for you! I think the practice of charging for a name on a piece of paper or anything else is terrible. Things have changed mightly. I delt with performing artists for many years, and none of them charged fans for an autograph. Artists from Andres Segovia, Benny Goodman, Eddy Arnold, John Gary, Isaac Stern, Jack Benny, too many to name.

Steve, I really think you should identify this artist and that folks should start showing their displeasure by refusing to by his CD's.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 08:59 AM

I won't identify the artist as he is no the only one doing it. I started this thread to talk about the practice that is becoming more prevelant. It sure saddens me.

As a kid, I recall my dad taking me to a Charity golf tournament that featured mny NHL hockey stars. I will always rememeber how gracious they were in signing my autograph book. I was about ten. I ended up complaining to Dennis Hull because he had already signed the book three times and was about to do it again when it was passed to him by a team mate. They got a big laugh out of that.

Apparently Willie Nelson still spends a lot of time after shows speaking to his fans, freely signing autographs. I'm sure it must get tedious, but he remembers who got him where is today, his fans.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: GUEST,A Skeptical Guest
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 11:01 AM

" .......(Don McLean) ...was resolutely ignored by the entire line, which was waiting for Al Stewart to come out." .

Yeah, right.

Ever heard of urban legends, Alex ?

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 02:24 PM

This whole issue is typical of the 'hot' ephemera that are now, and for a while more yet, selling. How many of you had comic books that your parents threw out and are now worth a lot? Baseball cards? Other goodies? One of these days, these collectibles will either be worth a lot or nothing. Meanwhile, all that is happening is that all of these people are putting a price on their time and forgetting about noblesse oblige. If I show up at book store or an event and someone wants me to sign something, I will, as long as it's not a check. A friend of mine, an artist, sells a lot of inexpensive prints and throws his signature in "for free."

The point of it all is that if people believe that others will pay for something, it usually is possible to sell. We all are selling ourselves. The only difference is what we sell of ourselves.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: X
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 12:37 AM

Steve:

As I understand it, the fellow you are speaking of refused to autograph anything brought to the concert. But he would autograph for "free," a T-shirt or a CD, if you purchased it at the show. To me that's like selling an autograph and I wouldn't buy it either.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: X
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 11:45 AM

Oh! I almost forgot,

and Steve's 'Catter friend said they tried to get the autograph back stage so there would be no hold up in a line as Uncle DaveO suggested.

Subject: RE: BS: The selling of Autographs
From: DougR
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 12:04 PM

Uncle Dave O., you sound like a capitalist! Say it isn't so!!! :>)

DougR