(graphic courtesy of shapingyouth.org)Things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMM........(credit to Arsenio Hall for that)
Sooooooooooo I have "friends" here and there as we all do and we chitchat about this and that such as music we love etc. It just so happens that some of my "friends" are also involved in the music business so discussions can sometimes go beyond the "music" and into the "business" matters. I also have lots of friends that are fans and pick up on some of the "business" aspect of promoting their favorite artists. (You would not believe the things the fans do in the trenches to get their favorite artists pushed up the ladder to success -- no wonder some artists thank the fans).
There is a rumble in the trenches of fandom -- so I'll share some of the stuff I am hearing in different places. Besides my hearing this, these are my thoughts as well.
It seems to me that if a record label has a solid crowd-drawing, moneymaking, act on its roster, the label focuses mainly on that act -- the act gets most of the attention and promotion. (I do understand that is where the label's 'bread is buttered' so they invest for a big return).
Many (of course, including me) wonder why a record label would not use the opportunity to schedule some of their newer artists as the opening act for the Gigundo artist(s) on a tour. But looking around, that isn't happening very often.
In other words, hypothetically (hmmmm, hmmmm), if a label has -- let's just say...ummm Rascal Flatts or say Reba McIntrye, why aren't the opening acts on the Rascal Flatts' or Reba's tour from the same stable as the headliner? (I mean it could be a win/win situation here) Is it an unspoken rule or deal in N'ville that you have to have artists from different record labels on the tour?
Let's reflect on Motown. I remember little unknown label "Motown" and its shows with artists all on its label. The artists toured together and made a name for the label and reaped a bucklet-load of Benjamins (that's $100 bills for those that might not know). In other words, the label had different "profit centers" so to say, in each artist. Different artists have different fans, but if they are on tour together, they draw them all.
In fact, thinking of the American Idol Live tour, that is the hottest ticket around as far as concerts go. It is always sold out and the artists are all on the same "label" so to say. That concept sure has made a lot of Benjamins for 19 Entertainment.
Rascal Flatts has been a major draw for years and years. Why haven't their labelmates opened for them on tour? Thus, letting the label save money in promotion (because they promote several artists in the same ad blitz) and they are introducing their newer artists to a large audience (thereby increasing their fanbase and profits).
So, I just don't get it (and trust me, I am not alone here). We all know it is about the bottom line (again, the Benjamins), but if they allow several of their artists to tour together, it should be a winning combination. Do I make sense here? (I know this is a rumble among the fans - as well as how the labels seem to only be promoting the big guys and leaving the little guys in the dust). In some cases, if it weren't for the artists promoting themselves or the fans working on the street level, some artists would fall by the wayside quickly.
And -- another question -- why is it that when a CD contains several really good songs, that only two or so singles are released off that album? (There is lag time between production of artist's albums anyway) Why not release more than the two or so songs as singles? Is that also some unwritten rule?
Lastly, I have seen and I am sure that you have seen where on sites such as youtube.com, that a record label will pull a song off the internet due to copyright infringement. HELLO????? IS ANYBODY THINKING ABOUT THIS AT THE LABEL??? Why do you do that? People are promoting the songs, if you feel it is copyright infringement, use it to your advantage! Contact the poster and add a link for those that visit/listen to be able to download the song from that post. Fans are promoting for free, if you want to profit from it, use your brain!
And, (I know I said lastly, but this thought is related), when people attend concerts and are told by security NO PICTURES OR VIDEOS allowed. Again, IS ANYBODY INTELLIGENTLY THINKING ABOUT THIS?? The artist is losing valuable promotion that is being offered for free!! For every music video post on the internet, fans are drawn and new fans are made. Especially in the case of American Idol artists who would truly benefit by free fan promotion. (I personally have been asked to 'cease recording' at an American Idol concert).
So, with the music industry complaining of their loss of revenues etc, is anybody actually thinking outside the box? I hear the fans rumbling so maybe the fans should starts making some noise at the labels themselves. Just saying... (fyi.. I don't yell and I don't necessarily rant.. I'm just thinking out loud kinda)
