Sherelle, I think you understand it pretty well. By the way, Brian the founder of Just Plain Folks was quoted in two recent articles concerning this situation...did you get those? I will dig them up if you didn't see them.
I just read an article (somewhere) which talks about how record sales have really gone down & record companies have let go of staff this past year. Is it any wonder that the RIAA is looking for ways to secure future revenue for the big labels & are especially looking at the internet which shows promise of leveling the playing field for all artists. I don't think the RIAA or Big Labels want a level playing field. I think the RAC wants to establish a union for musicians that is similar to the one that actors enjoy...to be organized enough to be able to demand certain things from contracts, etc. I think artist development is a thing of the past. I have heard many record executives say that. These days, its my understanding, an artist has to have a track record of performing, selling & a big draw before the big record labels have any interest. At which point (imo) the artist really doesn't need the label except for total world domination which may cost a huge amount of marketing dollars which of course are charged back to the artist which may mean the artist gets nothing. I have sat in a couple of music panels where they tell you straight out that they are interested in what you look like & how old you are. The music is important but if you don't have the first two fergetaboutit. I have a friend who was told by several record companys that they were looking for young, maleable, artists. Another who was courted by a label turned them down after being told that the label would invent a history of the artists life that was not true but would be a good story (it had something to do with the artist living on the street & all kinds of sordid stuff before she was discovered! by the label. Makes you wonder if Jewel really did live in her car :~) Okay, can you tell how I feel about big record labels yet? On the other hand, there are many respectable smaller labels that are artist friendly & offer a variety of deals. My niece, who is very talented, is being courted by several Christian labels...she's young, beautiful, talented & knows NOTHING about the business side of things & the A&R guy is being soooo nice to her, etc. Thats what A&R guys do well, become your best friend, promise the world, get you to sign away your life sometimes. Of course, Auntie Kate is relentless in sending her lots of information hoping that she will get an understanding of what not to sign. Stuff she may not want to know as it crumbles the idea that so many have of a record deal bieng a ticket to success....Sometimes its a ticket to hell. A good friend of mine who I play with often had several gold records in the past but admits to signing a contract she didn't exactly understand. Now she is gigging like me, supporting herself as a receptionist during the day. She got to tour the world but I don't think she got a penny from selling so many records. Sometimes the more you sell, the more you owe! Crazy but true. Here is a great site that has been recommended to me by many people who are well respected in the record business (one of them is a JPF mentor). The books he's written are highly recommended for anyone with a desire to sign with a record label. These days you not only need a good entertainment lawyer, you need to KNOW as much as the lawyer knows. Anyway, the site also shows you how a standard record contract works. You also need to read Courtney Love's rant about record contracts. Here is the site http://www.mosesavalon.com/index2.htm ******************************************** Kate Bennett www.katebennett.com sponsored by Polysonics Discover the Indies at Taylor Guitars: http://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/awp/indies/bennett.html ********************************************
