The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #125220 Message #2770905
Posted By: Jerry Rasmussen
21-Nov-09 - 11:39 PM
Thread Name: Music as a loss leader
Subject: Music as a loss leader
The first time I got up the courage to perform in front of an audience (or more accurately, was pushed on stage by Dave Van Ronk) It wasn't with any expectation of making money. Now, almost 50 years later I realize how much I have exceeded expectations. Fortunately, I had a "day job" that supplied my modest financial needs. Not setting out to "make it" or make money seemed very much in the folk tradition, although I suspect that most folk musicians didn't mind picking up a few dollars or drinks on a Saturday night. For me, making money has always been a side effect of playing folk music (and gospel too, for that matter.) The same goes for writing. That doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with making money playing folk music. But if the purpose of playing folk or gospel music is to make money and become famous, the music changes in subtle ways. It becomes a product and is measured in units sold, not a deeper inherent value.
I've never thought that folk music was any purer than rock and roll. It's just created for a different reason. Usually.
Just my opinion. What's yours?
Jerry