A music industry question for ya

Subject: A music industry question for ya
From: olddude
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 12:26 PM

The music industry as one promoter that I know said, it is not about music, it is about money, what will sell and sell a lot.

Now I got to thinkin on this ... folk music doesn't sell, that is their story ... and they are sticking to it ... It is the music of the past, young people don't want it ... and on and on ... This is their words not mine ...

So how did "O Brother Where art thou" sell a gagillion CD's if no one wants the music anymore?

I submit, if the radio plays it, if the young hear it ... it will sell. Am I living in a dream

Dan

Subject: RE: A music industry question for ya
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 12:41 PM

"ENDS
Within the broader music industry, and beyond, what some get for their hour's work, compared with others, is ridiculous and inhumane; hence, many relatively competent musicians within the folk-scene are really struggling to make ends meet; so, if we like fair competition, we don't like capitalism. A better way, as I've suggested in verse, is to accept that humans are competitive, and have strong regulations (partly via
nationalisation) to make that competition as fair as possible – whilst also providing 'safety-net' support" (from here).

Subject: RE: A music industry question for ya
From: G-Force
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 12:42 PM

Having George Clooney on the cover may have helped.

Subject: RE: A music industry question for ya
From: DonMeixner
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 12:54 PM

Hi Dan,

I think that Business is about making money. The music part is the tool that is used to make it. I'm a performer who gigs about 50 times a year. And for what I charge when I charge that gives me enough money to add some gravy to the french fries.

People buy sound tracks usually for one song. In some cases it was "Oh Death" in others it was "In the Jail House Now". Everyone I know who bought that CD plays in a band and they boght it for a song that fits their style. Obviously there aren't a million string band out there but I wonder how many of those CDs are still being played. Or have they mostly found that secondary CD market known as the lawn sale?

Back to business. If you are gonna make a living as a performer you gotta treat it as a business. We have had some pretty rancorous threads on just this topic in the past. Search them up and tuck in with a sandwich and a beer and have fun.

Don Meixner

Subject: RE: A music industry question for ya
From: billhudson
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 01:45 PM

No, you are not living in a dream but it has changed and very much so. The music industry use to control the field by the contacts artist would sign. And if you were not with a major label you had little chance. That has long been passed and now a artist can if they put the work into it, get their music out there.
But if is was just for the money I would have chosen another way to make myself in this world. I have a bass player friend of mine who plays in a band you all would know and he told me, "Bill, it's not for the money we are doing this." Point made and I think as we get older we have to work on not being bitter.
Remember DJ's dig good music and they are always looking for good tracks. They are not making a big living too.

Subject: RE: A music industry question for ya
From: olddude
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 04:10 PM

Thanks guys, the reason I asked is the movie was on TV the other day. and our Captain is up for a Grammy with Utah Phillips music ... got me thinking why the industry doesn't see it ... however, the music will survive. It always has.