I’ve been finding it fascinating watching the decline of the major record companies. They blame their problems on digital piracy and all the millions of people (who care to admit it or not) who have copied, ripped, download, etc. and have not payed for music. It’s my belief that they’re realizing that their current business model is becoming obsolete and they can’t see past their greed to come up with a solution.
The original purpose of these record companies was that they once owned all of the resources to manufacture, distribute and market a physical product for artists. In order for success, an artist depended on a contract with these companies to handle the business end of their craft. Now in the digital realm anyone can be a distibutor, publisher, marketing whiz.
If you look at the past 5-10 years, there is really not artist development anymore. Look at bands like Pink Floyd who didn’t start out as huge megastars but held a very long career and have a legacy behind them now.
Greed has overshadowed artist development. If you don’t sell a quadrillion records the first time out, your career is done. It seems lately that the quick buck is in fads and fashion. Look how quickly this “emo thing” rose and is now passe. Don’t even get me started on American Idol.
There is so much talentless crap being marketed as cool, it’s no wonder no-one wants to shell out cash for new music.
And then there is Metallica. They started waging war on Napster and even their own fans back when this all started. Now they’re trying to fit in by giving away free music?? They should have to pay every penny back to Napster and all of the people they have sued. I could continue this tangent but I won’t.
By now you must know of the Susan Boyle story.
The most unlikey person to be all the rage in the music world. Now mind you her music may not be all to my taste but regardless of that, you can’t deny pure straight from the heart talent. Personally, I think people are so sick of the talentless crap hitting the airwaves that when someone comes along with real musical talent, you can’t help but to sit up and take notice.
She’s also the underdog, one of us working class folk and the best part is she doesn’t give a crap about all the music biz b.s. She sincerely loves what she does.
I cheer her on!
I hope she gets the opportunity to do what she loves the rest of her life. You don’t have to fit in someone’s marketable little package to be a hit.
Cheers!!
