Well worth the read.

[Saygracenow]

Great story on the current music business.

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20100919_Rock_s_a_hard_place.html

[Dino Martini]

"The only thing that is constant is that you have to write really good songs, make really good records, and work really hard. Everything else is in flux."

Does that remind you of anyone we know (and love)?

[Dreamer]

Thanks...

"It's all in the songwiting" I have heard that before.

Very good article. Not coincidentaly I bet, I have been tracking "Free Energy" for a couple months or more. Planning on seeing them Oct 28th at the Troubadour in Hollywood. Great place, and I wish GPN could/would book there, they did in Jan 2008, but.....
I have seen all this myself lately, as in the last year I have submerged myself in the music scene online, and going out 2-3 times a week to local venues in L.A. and meeting the young upstarts that have been in the business for 2-5 years mostly. I do not envy a single one of them, and when you watch the videos available from "successful" musicians on the road, it is apparent that they live a tough life in many ways. The very unknown singer/songwriters can still able to get income from sources like the TV shows that play their songs. Checks do come in the mail, but this will dry up if they do not continue.
What I think is good about all this, is that we will see only the truely dedicated able to continue the pace. Another good side-effect is that if we can reduce the number of elite high dollar, big money acts it will allow more great musicians to survive longer and stay. The variety of good music astounds me here is L.A... Example.. Saturday night I went to the downtown Arts District to a local Cafe eatery and a woman on staff at the UCLA music program hosted 6-8 local singer/songwiters, some of who were also on staff at UCLA. A $6 cover, and so many places are free, or have $4-10 cover for a band, but you can stay all night and see 2-5 musicians and bands play 45 minute sets. Many times other friends show up to play with them. On the downside maybe that is why GPN doesn't come here and play here in SoCal. When I went to the Roxy last night, I wondered how many fans would have come, and maybe it was a lack of ticket sales that caused them to cancel. Oh,,, back to GPN. Friday night with Brandi Carlile, Avett Bros. Then Saturday in Vegas.

Eric in L.A.

[Dreamer]

Coincidentally, the article referring to the band "Free Energy" just posted this creative video on their FB page. Entertaining..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S0Va5O5SMI

[Dreamer]

Here is more on the business, and what "Free Energy" is doing...

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/20100926_Free_Energy_s_long_and_winding_road.html? viewAll=y