Something To Think About Especially In Today's Economy & (Gospel) Music Industry

[SabianKnight]

These are comments from a drummer/teacher/author/artist posted on a blog recently. I am posting a section that should cause everyone here to consider their contribution and commitment to music and the game there of.

"....
We as artists give a lot and rarely do we get any love or respect back. Not from the industry, the distributors or the fans. Everyone has their hand in your pocket. Amazon takes 55% for a physical CD and 30% for mp3..then CDBaby takes 9% on top of that. iTunes takes 30-40% and other people just take it all.

Licensing deals are usually 50/50. That is ok because if everyone works together you will get paid and be able to continue in your career.... in the arts.

I will tell you the truth. I want to quit music altogether and I am not alone. It is getting too hard to make even a modest living.

We as artists can't fight this downloading and you know that.

Know this too..
Hardly anyone gets rich playing Jazz, Rock, World Fusion... We make the music that inspires us ...and inspires you. We are supposed to inspire each other.

The internet could be very powerful if we worked together and we could bring this music right to the forefront... where it belongs.

You can buy the mp3s for 8.99 at Amazon, that is really cheap or buy direct (provide the links).... if everyone pitched in, the independent artists could keep making records. and the labels that support the artists would thrive also.

I am not talking about the giants I am talking about the indies (Tone Center, HeadsUp, Cryptogramophone etc)
These labels are run by fans of this kind of music and believe it or not they rarely recoup or it takes years to recoup. I know this is true.

In a nutshell,
I applaud your great taste in music and I bet most of you play an instrument to some degree or another.

Please consider "uniting" with the artists. Many of us have street teams that will "give" you the music and/or tickets in exchange for a little help (reviews, touring, hanging posters, calling radio stations etc.) You might just make friends with the people you admire.

I am not here to judge anyone. I just want to tell you my side of the story. This isn't Metallica or Kenny G you are giving away. Many of us work other jobs, build our own web sites and live humble lives.

One thing is for sure. Music won't survive without financial support from the fans. I just can't.

Thank you for having such good taste. I picked some of the best musicians in the land to play on "China Ranch" and I think they did a great job. there is about 75 minutes of music on the disc. I wanted to give everyone the most I could for their money...."

[mingusfingus]

Thanks Sabe, it`s true and this is sad in some point, but time`s changing, life`s changing. I `ve been at Jojo Mayer`s clinic recently and he was asked about coming records, albums and stuff. He answered if he doesn`t know when the recors are coming because nobody buys it That he should spend 4 months in studio to make a record without any income and there`s no guarantee you`ll get any money for it. He also told he must spend about 11 month of 12 touring, and it explains why we don`t hear any new records from Nerve or any of his other projects.
All these things make me think of music as a kind of dying art, because the borders between the art and the entertainment music are insignificant as I see, music as art is loosing its value in some sense. It`s my opinion and it`s based on my vision of the situation here (not in US), but it may be totally different in any part of the world.

[j_kay]

All these things make me think of music as a kind of dying art, because the borders between the art and the entertainment music are insignificant as I see, music as art is loosing its value in some sense. It`s my opinion and it`s based on my vision of the situation here (not in US), but it may be totally different in any part of the world.

Ay, the downfall came from Napster, and it snowballed from there...

[TheyCryWhenIPlay]

Yeah.

This is exactly why I will never rely on music to make money, and stick to playing clubs. Music won't ever die...

...but the industry is definitely a wounded beast. The industry and music were never one and the same, people just thought they were....for whatever reason.

[fLaT-fIfTh]

These are comments from a drummer/teacher/author/artist posted on a blog recently. I am posting a section that should cause everyone here to consider their contribution and commitment to music and the game there of.

"....
We as artists give a lot and rarely do we get any love or respect back. Not from the industry, the distributors or the fans. Everyone has their hand in your pocket. Amazon takes 55% for a physical CD and 30% for mp3..then CDBaby takes 9% on top of that. iTunes takes 30-40% and other people just take it all.

Licensing deals are usually 50/50. That is ok because if everyone works together you will get paid and be able to continue in your career.... in the arts.

I will tell you the truth. I want to quit music altogether and I am not alone. It is getting too hard to make even a modest living.

We as artists can't fight this downloading and you know that.

Know this too..
Hardly anyone gets rich playing Jazz, Rock, World Fusion... We make the music that inspires us ...and inspires you. We are supposed to inspire each other.

The internet could be very powerful if we worked together and we could bring this music right to the forefront... where it belongs.

You can buy the mp3s for 8.99 at Amazon, that is really cheap or buy direct (provide the links).... if everyone pitched in, the independent artists could keep making records. and the labels that support the artists would thrive also.

I am not talking about the giants I am talking about the indies (Tone Center, HeadsUp, Cryptogramophone etc)
These labels are run by fans of this kind of music and believe it or not they rarely recoup or it takes years to recoup. I know this is true.

Man, this dude is spittin true game right here. I've said it on this forum as long as I have been here. What kills me is the fact that people have no concept of what goes into taking a project from concept to completion and it truly may take years to recoup.
Perhaps the best advice that I can give you is to embrace your independence. You may never be on primetime television, but so what? It's fake anyway. You may never wear rented jewelry in a music video. So what? It's fake anyway. You may never drive a leased Bentley. So what? You don't have to go through the heartbreak of giving it back in 12 months...
Being independent allows you to create a product and share it with a smaller, yet more appreciative audience. I wish I could hand deliver every single unit I sell to each customer. That's how appreciative I am for their support, but it's impossible and impractical. However, being independent allows you to do what you do and keep your soul. It allows you to have a sense of peace with what God allows despite what people think or say...
Music will never die. When the economy gets too bad, we'll just write songs about it. When the economy recovers, we'll write songs about it. What is dying is the traditional music machine... GOOD! Perhaps we should throw a party and celebrate its demise. This is the same machine that allowed TLC to file bankruptcy after selling 15 million albums. This same machine caused Tupac Shakur to die broke after generating hunderds of millions of dollars in sales revenue. This same machine has stolen music from America's most creative minds for generations and given nothing back but broken dreams. The music machine is a pimp that has hoes all over the world! If you know anything about pimpin' then you know that successful Hoe Managers keep their subjects in a dependent state of mind through drugs, abuse, ect. The music machine is set up in the same manner. Ever wonder why so many great musicians/artists succumb to these same vices within the industry??

Keep your soul... Keep your sanity... Keep your independence...

God bless
 

[momuzik]

...This is the same machine that allowed TLC to file bankruptcy after selling 15 million albums. This same machine caused Tupac Shakur to die broke after generating hunderds of millions of dollars in sales revenue...

It's not just in the music biz. E.g., if you see how much a boxer gets paid for a title fight, it's chump change in comparison to what is generated over all (because of him). That goes for most athletes.
I'm in the shipbuilding industry. The goverment will pay hundreds of billions of dollars for new ships, but the worker are only getting a few dollars per hour.

It's the new Golden Rule: "Whoever has the gold - makes the rules"

[TheyCryWhenIPlay]

It's not just in the music biz. E.g., if you see how much a boxer gets paid for a title fight, it's chump change in comparison to what is generated over all (because of him). That goes for most athletes.
I'm in the shipbuilding industry. The goverment will pay hundreds of billions of dollars for new ships, but the worker are only getting a few dollars per hour.

It's the new Golden Rule: "Whoever has the gold - makes the rules"

Words I live by, partner.

I also like to say, 'It is better to be the lender than the borrower'.

[QCdrummer]

People want to talk about our future president and socialism, but the music industry is the ultimate socialist party. Guys slave over albums, promoting, doing concernts, tiring themselves out.....and over half of the money is taken from them and distributed all over the place. Its robbery. Thats why I tell people all the time, if you are in music for the money, you might as well leave it alone.

[TheyCryWhenIPlay]

People want to talk about our future president and socialism, but the music industry is the ultimate socialist party. Guys slave over albums, promoting, doing concernts, tiring themselves out.....and over half of the money is taken from them and distributed all over the place. Its robbery. Thats why I tell people all the time, if you are in music for the money, you might as well leave it alone.

Yes, but it has been so romanticized by the media, and not enough people know about the REALITY of the music industry.

Also, the industry considered 'cool', and many people start to feel a boost in self-importance when they become apart of the industry. That's why many people feel you aren't REALLY doing anything as an artist or a musician if you aren't signed or touring with an artist.

I'll say it once, and I'll say it again .... the industry was created by men, but music was created by God. When the two mix, the results can often be less than what the creator of music intended. The industry is about money, money, and more money. If you don't think the music won't suffer for the sake of profit...

...well, good day, ladies and gentleman.

[lockslie1]

Yes, but it has been so romanticized by the media, and not enough people know about the REALITY of the music industry.

Also, the industry considered 'cool', and many people start to feel a boost in self-importance when they become apart of the industry. That's why many people feel you aren't REALLY doing anything as an artist or a musician if you aren't signed or touring with an artist.

I'll say it once, and I'll say it again .... the industry was created by men, but music was created by God. When the two mix, the results can often be less than what the creator of music intended. The industry is about money, money, and more money. If you don't think the music won't suffer for the sake of profit...

...well, good day, ladies and gentleman.

Agreed

[fLaT-fIfTh]

Hopefully, this thread will serve as an eye opener for those still clinging to dreams of being "discovered." Don't give up. Simply adjust your plan of attack.
The internet has significantly increased your potential for success. The tools are there, but we have to use them to our benefit. We hold as much blame as anyone else. For the price of those new Jordans, you could register a domain name and host a website for a year and still have change left over. However, we would much rather rock them J's, use Myspace as our "website," and blame the industry...

God bless

[dude-on-drums]

Very informative 

[betnich]

Man, this dude is spittin true game right here. I've said it on this forum as long as I have been here. What kills me is the fact that people have no concept of what goes into taking a project from concept to completion and it truly may take years to recoup.
Perhaps the best advice that I can give you is to embrace your independence. You may never be on primetime television, but so what? It's fake anyway. You may never wear rented jewelry in a music video. So what? It's fake anyway. You may never drive a leased Bentley. So what? You don't have to go through the heartbreak of giving it back in 12 months...
Being independent allows you to create a product and share it with a smaller, yet more appreciative audience. I wish I could hand deliver every single unit I sell to each customer. That's how appreciative I am for their support, but it's impossible and impractical. However, being independent allows you to do what you do and keep your soul. It allows you to have a sense of peace with what God allows despite what people think or say...
Music will never die. When the economy gets too bad, we'll just write songs about it. When the economy recovers, we'll write songs about it. What is dying is the traditional music machine... GOOD! Perhaps we should throw a party and celebrate its demise. This is the same machine that allowed TLC to file bankruptcy after selling 15 million albums. This same machine caused Tupac Shakur to die broke after generating hunderds of millions of dollars in sales revenue. This same machine has stolen music from America's most creative minds for generations and given nothing back but broken dreams. The music machine is a pimp that has hoes all over the world! If you know anything about pimpin' then you know that successful Hoe Managers keep their subjects in a dependent state of mind through drugs, abuse, ect. The music machine is set up in the same manner. Ever wonder why so many great musicians/artists succumb to these same vices within the industry??

Keep your soul... Keep your sanity... Keep your independence...

God bless
 

COSIGN!!!

[Natejam71]

I am a teacher (teach social studies)and I have a lot of students who don't think about the business side of music.  I talk to them and share articles,  books and journals about the music industry with them as well.  They just don't understand.  They believe that all artists and musicians make millions of dollars and live lavish lifestyles.  I will definitely share this article with them as well.  This thread is nothing but the truth.  Stay Blessed, Nate J.

[Audiocr381ve]

Great post Sabe. Priceless information and information.

I've learned so much. Thanks!

[fretai03]

Why is it shocking that people don't know what it takes to make a record & how long it takes recoup?

[fLaT-fIfTh]

Why is it shocking that people don't know what it takes to make a record & how long it takes recoup?

Because the information is not hard to find...

[fretai03]

Because the information is not hard to find...

Hmmm... I suppose that would be the case "if" they were looking for it. But if they are an ignorant consumer then I don't think they'd ever find out or care to.

I guess I'm seeing it from the average John Smith's point of view. The average consumer type not so much the type of person who dreams of making it big in the industry (Which are the types of people I'm guessing you're talking about?).

[SabianKnight]

Man, this dude is spittin true game right here. I've said it on this forum as long as I have been here. What kills me is the fact that people have no concept of what goes into taking a project from concept to completion and it truly may take years to recoup.
Perhaps the best advice that I can give you is to embrace your independence. You may never be on primetime television, but so what?.... However, being independent allows you to do what you do and keep your soul. It allows you to have a sense of peace with what God allows despite what people think or say...
Music will never die. When the economy gets too bad, we'll just write songs about it. When the economy recovers, we'll write songs about it. What is dying is the traditional music machine... GOOD! Perhaps we should throw a party and celebrate its demise. This is the same machine that allowed TLC to file bankruptcy after selling 15 million albums. This same machine caused Tupac Shakur to die broke after generating hunderds of millions of dollars in sales revenue. This same machine has stolen music from America's most creative minds for generations and given nothing back but broken dreams. The music machine is a pimp that has hoes all over the world! If you know anything about pimpin' then you know that successful Hoe Managers keep their subjects in a dependent state of mind through drugs, abuse, ect. The music machine is set up in the same manner. Ever wonder why so many great musicians/artists succumb to these same vices within the industry??

Keep your soul... Keep your sanity... Keep your independence...

God bless
 

Yes, but it has been so romanticized by the media, and not enough people know about the REALITY of the music industry.

Also, the industry considered 'cool', and many people start to feel a boost in self-importance when they become apart of the industry. That's why many people feel you aren't REALLY doing anything as an artist or a musician if you aren't signed or touring with an artist.

I'll say it once, and I'll say it again .... the industry was created by men, but music was created by God. When the two mix, the results can often be less than what the creator of music intended. The industry is about money, money, and more money. If you don't think the music won't suffer for the sake of profit...

...well, good day, ladies and gentleman.

Hopefully, this thread will serve as an eye opener for those still clinging to dreams of being "discovered." Don't give up. Simply adjust your plan of attack.
The internet has significantly increased your potential for success. The tools are there, but we have to use them to our benefit. We hold as much blame as anyone else. For the price of those new Jordans, you could register a domain name and host a website for a year and still have change left over. However, we would much rather rock them J's, use Myspace as our "website," and blame the industry...

God bless

Why is it shocking that people don't know what it takes to make a record & how long it takes recoup?

Because the information is not hard to find...

Hmmm... I suppose that would be the case "if" they were looking for it. But if they are an ignorant consumer then I don't think they'd ever find out or care to.

We have to wake up to our WILLFUL IGNORANCE. We have to hold ourselves more accountable and build a structure/environment of accountability an wise counsel around us to nurture the PURPOSE of our dreams. In PURPOSE there is focus, their is commitment VALUE. Know your Value and Protect your Purpose. Getting pimped is a by-product of low self worth or ignorance thereof. That means sometimes we are Abram, sometimes we are Joseph in route. When we get "there" we have to be diligent to not loose focus like David or Solomon which happens all to often. But through diligence, wise counsel, proper spiritual guidance, constant self-examination and adhering of the the fulfillment of the written VISION/PLAN the principled purpose shall be redeemed for abundant harvest.

Vision powered by Principled Purpose through Practiced Excellence of Wisdom and Integrity is the formula.
Say what you will about the people but Prince is not crying about money nor record sales. Tyler Perry is not crying about money nor movie & DVD sales.
Get Real, Get Focused, Get Prepared and Approved for the next season. Know the signs people. Real Champions train heavy in the Fall and Winter (or their respective off seasons)for the Spring (to bloom) and Summer (to flourish). Sometimes it's a 4-year span in the case of Olympians. This doesn't mean that they don't work/compete but rather these competitions are self-examinations for the REAL competition.....

 

[SabianKnight]

If life imitates art then with the crap we have been getting via the "music industry" the past several years no wonder our society is jacked up. The value of meaningful lyrics has been lost to mind-numbing ring-tone based hooks birthed from ego-tripping riffs. The new standard is there is no standard. Without a standard value diminishes. Standards are based on vision but without vision the people perish.

Question is now who will be the new standard bearers in music?

Someone commented above that the art in music had diminished. The ART of anything is it's beauty and the beauty is in the fulfillment of a thing's purpose. The purpose of music was never to "get paid" but it was to affect the spirit of people to the glory of God. Telling and inspired truth with or without lyrics from ones core being. Now we mostly perform the motions haphazardly from a core of selfish inferiority where the "truth" never surfaces unless the money is right (though it never seems to be right enough). When people perform knowing their purpose the art/beauty reveals (de-masks) itself because when the student is ready the teacher appears.