JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Poll: Taylor Swift

Marc,

Thank you for her story! That is what I'm talking about! And I know you have done that more than twice! I also read your Yes Virginia post.

Some must think that one day there was no such and such artist, and the next, a bunch of suits grab them off the streets and makes them a star. Man! I's sure all the suits would love for that to happen!

"So" much time and work is put into any artist or songwriter that succeeds in the music business. I have one friend I went ot High School with back in the late 60's through 71. His band got signed by a major label after much playing out and marketing themselves. Just as their even harder work continued, and was about to get some more radio play in Philly and New York from some sales, their A&R Rep who signed them got fired, and the replacement brought his own projects to the top half of the priority list. (A month prior, I was asked to try out for keys for his band, and made it, but then was X'd when the other writers in the band found out I also wrote,,,,(same night,,,fifteen minutes of being in the band!). His band played on with the original keys player, (not sure what the problem was), but they continued to play everywhere, all the time. Two years later, lady hard work paid off again when they got signed to yet another BIG label. Again,,,radio play was just starting up in Philly and New York, (testing stations) and as bad luck would have it,,,,"that" A&R guy jumped ship to another label, who dealt with another genre. There was an article about all this in the major papers in Philly and South Jersey.

Now, that was years ago, right? Well, my friend had kept up playing, and got signed to an Indie label, (Wiz Records, out of LA, a Sony created company, I believe). They won't be a mainstream band, (for age/marketable reasons). But they play The new Cavern in Liverpool every year or two, and are soon to open for Badfinger, and other such acts. Their having good minor music business success, and having Fun and making a living. ALL from very hard work over the years.

If they were affected and didn't make it big by two A&R reps job shifting, then "making it big" takes many steps and to have everything and everybody stay on the same page. THEN, it would up to the masses, with them already having a fan base, relative to that time of course. If that band was young and in today's market now, they would have had all the internet marketing too, and who knows? Maybe those reps wouldn't have had such an impact when not being their reps anymore. ???

Yeah,,,,,I know some nay sayers on just about anything. This area has been named by one sports caster, (forget his name), as having a "Nervous Negativity". Our sports teams for the VERY most part don't win championships. The Phillies recently the exception. So, no matter how good things look, there will be those that are waiting for the roof to come crashing in. And some actually make that happen by being negative. (fast to call things and people crap, in other words). So, that must be the case for those around here that might say that more than good things. It's just an way of thinking to begin with.

I think there is more to learn from by going over what was done that worked. (A business model to follow), if wanting to get into, or learn about the business of music. Some seem to need to mention one general blanket term, as if there is no merit attached to that given artist. ?????

There's always a story behind the scenes. And hard work, no matter the form of song, production and performance. We, as fellow music people could respect those at any level, for any reason they are there. If the nay-sayers had better business skills or songs or chops, and would eventually "make it big", then they would have to hear about others not doing the work calling ?them" crap. I wonder how that would then go over? Got to think about and respect the "person" who has earned their lofty position.

Got to take time to read the story and get to know the person who is now a star. I recall how The Beatles were laughed at by some, saying all kinds of things about they are just a hairdo. They did not know they were the hardest working band in history. Played more hours a week than the slots in Atlantic City! For years they did one nighters throughout many countries. Then, they settled in Germany at that one place, but played like it was a double full time job,,,,days and nights! Eating on stage!

There's always many facts behind the stars. Hard working cold facts.

Thanks Marc for this exchange!

JD