Lyle Lovett hasn't made a dime -CD sales

Subject: Lyle Lovett hasn't made a dime -CD sales
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 12:45 PM

The Full Story Here

From an MSNBC Story:

DETROIT - Lyle Lovett says he has "never made a dime" from album sales during his two-decade career, and hopes to rectify that situation when his contract expires.The eclectic country singer has two more albums on his deal with Curb/Universal, his home since 1985, and figures the horizons are wide open.

Lovett, 50, has sold 4.6 million albums in the United States since 1991, the year when SoundScan sales data were introduced. His most recent release, "It's Not Big It's Large," has sold about 145,000 copies since debuting at a career-best No. 18 on the Billboard 200 last September, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Records are very powerful promotional tools to go out and be able to play on the road, but you do have to think about it as a way of sustaining itself at some point. I'm very excited about being able to do some of that on my own, maybe," Lovett said.

He is currently touring North America with his Large Band through mid-August, and has also financed an album recorded at some of the singer/songwriter shows he does with John Hiatt, Guy Clark and Joe Ely but is having trouble getting his label interested in putting it out.

Subject: RE: Lyle Lovett hasn't made a dime -CD sales
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 02:22 PM

Lyle's situation, vis a vis his failure to profit from record sales, is a sad, all too common tale. Whether it is dealing with predatory agents bilking or gaining control of their clients' songs and recordings (check out John Fogarty) or unscrupulous record company execs who freeze out quality performers to promote their own, musicians have a constant battle for recognition and remuneration on their hands.   

Ingrid Croce, widow (and manager) of the late Jim Croce, once told me that record industry people were the worst humans with whom she had ever dealt. Considering politicians and lawyers, that's heady company. My son's band is self-promoting and marketing their own CD's, as many of you undoubtedly are.

Subject: RE: Lyle Lovett hasn't made a dime -CD sales
From: bankley
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 03:31 PM

the major labels had it locked down for decades... not any more, and they're worried.. this is a good time to be an 'Indie' artist. It's really a 'hands-on' approach... In this big world... the tech keeps getting better... the networking resources are vast, fast and varied... 'in store' CD sales have slumped globally... people can buy 'singles' online or the whole package through places like CDBaby... but the best place to sell 'records' are at gigs...which are usually generated through a good sounding record or two... a few years ago, it was hard to do a fine production without the machinery of a 'label'... those days are over... I don't miss them at all...

Subject: RE: Lyle Lovett hasn't made a dime -CD sales
From: alanabit
Date: 12 Jul 08 - 02:37 PM

Neither do I. The bullying and exploitation of the big record companies went on for so long, that they took their power for granted. The sad fact is that an artist is far more likely to earn real money by selling five thousand units of a self owned album than he/she is by selling fifty thousand units for a record company.

Subject: RE: Lyle Lovett hasn't made a dime -CD sales
From: Neil D
Date: 12 Jul 08 - 04:28 PM

I have heard, and correct me if this is wrong, that many artists today are not really concerned about file sharing programs like Limewire for this very reason. Since they make more money from touring than selling CD's anyway, they don't really care how the music is getting into the hands of the consumer. It is actually the record companies that are trying to shut down these services and, other than exceptions like Metallica, musicians don't really mind.
Is this more less the case or just somebody's rationalization for using the services.

Subject: RE: Lyle Lovett hasn't made a dime -CD sales
From: gnu
Date: 12 Jul 08 - 04:35 PM

Very interesting stuff!

Oh, and, a plug for Lyle. One of the most amazing musicians I have ever seen or heard.

Subject: RE: Lyle Lovett hasn't made a dime -CD sales
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 12 Jul 08 - 08:20 PM

From what I've seen, a touring artist--except for a very few headliners--make from 40%-50% of their take from flogging their CDs at the places where they appear.