The music industry is changing fast. Here in Nashville, the change is making a few old schoolers nervous and some early adopters excited. In a time when music downloads scare industry execs, we have found a new beginning in the world of free as an entry point to a long lasting career. Life in the music industry will be different. Not might, not maybe…but WILL be different.
There are rumblings of a new model for record deals and new ways to sell records, but even that is a little old school from what I hear AND what I believe to be true. What I do know is those of you who are independent artists have the leg up right now and the opportunity to do more than you could ever dream. For you signed artists out there who feel strapped in by the deal you signed years ago. Make the best of it, learn from it, and realize it’s your career so be in control when your deal is done and don’t let anyone stand in your way of doing what you know is right for you.
Life in the fast lane…great song right? I love it. But I’m here to tell you that if you slow down to look around, things might pass you by on this one.
I will tell you what I know without going into the details of what I really know.
The live experience will always prevail when it comes to the life of an artist. No matter how CD’s are sold, if an artist wants a career, the show must go on.
When Big Tent Revival was touring. We knew we wouldn’t sell tons of CD’s and that our shelf life was limited if you looked at our career being centered around the sell of a CD. What we also knew was our ability to put on a strong show was far better than our CD sales and the only person paying our bills was the promoters who hired us to come play. Thank you promoters!!
What caused promoters to keep asking us to come play shows was our ability to put on the kind of show that would sell tickets to a certain audience. We entertained, encouraged, and told people about Christ…and most times we just simply rocked. It was that simple. No matter how few CD’s we sold, we could always tour.
When people came to see our shows, the experience they had made them want to go to our merchandise table and buy CD’s, Shirts, Posters…whatever they could buy from us, they bought. Whatever we could sell them, we sold.
You see people. This is where the live experience breaths new life into the music industry. Give people a great show and they will be a fan and buy your CD’s, shirts, posters and hats…you can extend this to the online world as well…the fan club, social network, blog…
As I look at the live experience, I’m reminded that the majority if my favorite CD’s are all live recordings. I’m also reminded of how much money I’ve spent on concert tickets, shirts and everything else that comes with the experience.
So you want to support your favorite artist? Buy a ticket and go see the show. The rest will flow naturally…
07/02/2008
Lifestyle, Music