JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Industry Message Forum The Rise of the Musical Middle Class?

There's a lot of discussion regarding a series of blog posts on Hypebot about the alleged emergence of a Musical Middle Class. With all the tools of the internet, free music creation software, social networking and web 2.0 sites the suggestion is that a middle class of musicians is emerging who may not be riding around in limos but are actually making a living from creating original music.
With the oppressive middle man out of the equation (the record labels) musicians are now able to actually get by on doing what they love doing.

I know from our standpoint (we represent and distribute music for more than 50 composers from all of over the world) many of our composers are able to cover much more than their rent or mortgage payment on what we pay them each month.

I'm wondering what the JFP'ers think about this.
Are you doing better now with the empowerment of the internet?


The Rise of the Musical Middle Class

The Rise of the Musical Middle Class: A Global Perspective

I'm certainly striving to become part of that middle class. I don't care much for limos (though a stadium concert would be cool).

Brian Austin Whitney, the owner of JPF, has often written about the opportunity of making a good living in music without reaching "superstar" status. In Nashville, we see many good, talented musicians every year who give up because they are not becoming the next Alan Jackson or Carrie Underwood.

All it takes is a fan base that you service well.

Yes, as a songwriter, it's also quite possible to sit at home and make a decent living without being cut by a major artist.

It's taken a few years, but I'm now at a point where I get a small but steady stream of session work from the internet, both as a bass player and as a producer. I expect that to gradually grow.

I've been part of the musical middle class since the 1960's, having made money as an artist, songwriter, session player, producer, live sound and recording engineer, educator, journalist, club owner, booking agent and consultant. All it takes is work and drive, and, as I always say, there are hundreds of dollars that can be made in the music business I agree, Jim, I have no desire for limos, they're just gas guzzlers. Nor do I want fame or star status. I do like playing big shows, though. However, for a bass player, the big concerts don't usually pay a lot more than the big clubs :}

Good post, Partners in Rhyme.

It's not the pay of big concerts that draws me, but the cool factor of it!

As the late Utah Phillips said, "It's not about making a killing, it's about making a living."

Music is meant to be fun.... not work, when it becomes work I'll stop Without the internet I wouldn't get heard outside my own house

After 2 Decades at Working to get a Decent Musical-Check, I find I'm writing with Great Folks all over the Planet..& gettin' some Airplay on a few continents as a result.

The Internet's a great tool to open doors. And sell a few CDs..in some Unexpected Places, too!

Better a Smart Car than a Limo, anyways....who wants to pay for all that Gasoline?

Best Wishes/Big Hugs,
Stan

I know quite a few people who are making money, and even making a living, composing music for film/tv, connecting with the industry over the internet from around the globe. You don't know their names, but you've heard their music on Oprah, America's Next Top Model, American Idol, Ugly Betty, and many other shows. They've grown their pitchable cataloque over several years, have many pieces signed, and have earned respect as 'go to' composers for music publishers and libraries.

Hi my Aussie friend Noel...Creating the music is the fun part..
I agree with you...If making music becomes anything other than
a passion or fun...than it's time for a break.
.
but the business side is not ALL fun.... and there is a business side....and there is a lot of work there..even for the
LOW middle class and below...

best to you this evenin' ....
hugs,
kk

It's just like anything else. Things change and if you don't change with them, you become extinct. So, we just adapt and use the tools at hand.

The net provides other ways of making a living with music than did the labels.

I have always worked toward being the best I can at whatever I choose to do. But, having great products is not enough. One must cross over that promotional bridge in order to get those products known. The net is a good source for crossing that bridge.

Heidi

Ye and No,
If the music is good you will , make the contacts. It's also a quick way of eliminating someone who has no talent,
Bigest problem is clowns with no talent like the ones who get rejected on American Idol, any amateur can put Songs? on Soundclick and The Like and most of them are just that amateurs with Dilussions Of Success, being just around the Corner, when for most, it is light years away.

Lamorna

Few people make a good living out of only writing songs or composing music regardless of what system is in place. It was the same before the computer age. I see little difference during it.
It is the performers who make the really big bucks.

Most performers cannot write great songs and most songwriters cannot put in a great performance. It is the performers who get the gigs.

I agree Jim, performers get the money and the glory, people couldn't care less who wrote the songs they sing. Still some performers want to claim a share of the songwriting credits too. Shame.

Most consumers aren't even aware of the songwriters. Most of them think that whoever sang the song wrote it as well, or, doesn't really care whoever wrote it.

Hello!

Yeah, well, the flip side of the coin is that you get to go shopping without a security detail.

There's upsides and downsides to every job.

Interesting thead! Merilees and Matanglawin have expressed truth from my perspective. Of course, it is nice to never have to worry about being recognized in public... but it is also very sad that the folks who create music are at the bottom of the musical food chain... with a few exceptions.

Performers really do get all the glory... as well as the financial rewards... provided they are very good.

Is there a "middle class" of performers, artists and songwriters in today's music world? Probably!

Dave Rice

http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/DaveRice

Oops!

i agree about the writer being unknown in most cases and the performer geting the glory, but the reasons for that are obvious. how many screenplay writers have you heard of, How many ACTORS? how many politicians hve you heard of, how about political policy makers, speech writers, etc. everything needs a voice or a face, and that is what is celebrated, not the IDEA.

I say the viability of a musical middle class is just a side effect of a transitioning music industry that is evolving to incorporate modern technology. that MIDDLE class will gain as long as they understand how to work the new technology BETTER than the UPPER class, and don't get into fighting the LOOSING battle to keep the industry the way it has been for SO LONG!

there are new opportunities! learn to USE them, let the world change and learn to adapt to it.