Musicians & Technology

Yesterday I spoke about about the ridiculous attempt of a retail vendor to charge artists 45% to sell their Cd's. I had a lot of interesting comments and the one thing that has become evident to me is that there is still a large gap between musicians and technology. Now I don't mean recording technology. Most of us are always on top of anything new involved with making music. I'm talking about the technology of commerce and the new ways available to us to sell our music to the world via digital means. Let's face it, the music industry has always been a cut throat game and for the labels and execs it has always been about making money and the artists or musicians are always on the bottom of the money pile. Nothing has changed. Largely because, as artists, most of us are seeking fame more than financial success. We are not educating ourselves on the new digital means of promoting and selling our music. We don't know much about how itunes, spotify, rhapsody, napster . . . etc. work. So if we don't really know then how can we educate our audience on how to participate is this new digital age as well? There is no longer a need to sign a record deal. Worldwide distribution is at your fingertips. I know it costs money to record a CD but most of us are financing our own records now and managing to sell quite well but we must now take full advantage of this digital distribution network that is freely available to us all. Knowledge is power! Don't let ANYONE take your money because of your lack of knowledge. The world of selling music is moving forward and it is not going back to what it used to be EVER so we MUST embrace this new technology and master making, promoting and selling our music on this digital landscape. Now go do the research and empower yourself and your audience. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Let's Take A Stand

Enough is enough! I received an email last night informing me that a certain blues festival and their retail vendor have decided to take 45% of the artists CD sales versus the standard 25%. This is ridiculous and it's time that we as musicians put our foot down. We already have to haggle with these festivals over money and I understand that providing airfare and accommodations can get costly, especially in today's economy, but fair is fair. Most artists will accept less money to play a festival because they know they can make up the difference in merch sales and this is only fair because people will only really buy your product if you put on a great show. That CD sale is a direct reward for your great performance and people at festivals come prepared to spend money on Cd's of artists they like. What has happened is that the festivals have taken notice of this and instead of just staying in their lane, they have decided to take even more of our retail money. Well I say NO! I advise any artist to protest this kind of ridiculous percentage by simply not selling your product. You can print post cards to give out with your retail purchase information such as itunes or Cd Baby. Some will say that we will loose . . . NO WE WON'T. The festival will loose because if we don't sell product then that's money that can't make either and when people by direct from us via the Internet, we don't have to give the festival a dime. It's time out for this disrespect. Without us they couldn't have a festival anyway and it's all the same. No matter what shape the economy is in, they will always complain about how they don't have the money and we have just gotten used to playing THAT game but we will not play this retail gouging game. Spread the word. Anything over 25% is a no go. Also with people having a direct link to the Internet via their phones now, at each show take a moment, while on stage, to have people go to your site and tell them to download your music directly to their phone. I know that most blues music fans still like doing things the old way but this is a part of taking a stand. We have to educate them and bring them into the digital age. Technology has given us even more entrepreneurial freedom so let's use it. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Leaders & Followers

Every one likes to think of themselves as a boss or leader. Well most of us have the concept totally backwards. We think that being a leader means that you get to call all of the shots and answer to no one. This is the furthest thing from the truth. I've noticed this more and more in our business, especially with musicians aka sidemen. A lot of sidemen are also leaders in their own situations. Let me tell you a secret about leaders and followers. In order to be a great leader, you must first be a great follower and you must also realize that being a leader really only means that you are in someone Else's service. Let me explain . . . President Obama is our leader but he was elected to SERVE to people of this country. He has to make decisions that are best for the country as a whole, not just what he may think is best. He is the leader but he basically works for the people. Just as in being a good sideman will only make you a better leader because leading is about service. If you can play the part of sideman and stay in your lane by always being prepared, on time and respectful of the leader and the organization's requests, then when you are in the leader's chair you will know how the best lead (serve) your team to get the best results. The main problem that exists is that leaders are born and not everyone that thinks they are a leader can really live up to the task. I've seen so many sidemen be disrespectful or even incompetent in a situation and think that they will have success as a leader because everything is always someone Else's fault and if they are in charge then it will all be better. (LOL). Again I say, leaders are born and they not only know how to lead but they know how to follow and this cycle never ends. For all young musicians that expire to ever lead their own group or situation, just work on being the best follower you can and if you find yourself in a situation that doesn't serve your best interest, just leave. Don't poison everyone else with your discontentment. Part of being a leader is being able to make hard decisions that are not always popular but effective. The key to being a good leader is knowing how to be a great follower. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012