Dear Kate, You wrote:
<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 think I only read the one in the Chicago Tribune. I'd love to see the other one if you have it. He seems to be a very nice and dedicated person. <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 agree. I had the fortune of jazz pianist George Duke listening to my demo. He said he really liked my voice, but could not take on any more artists right now. ( He's an Indie, I think) I'm getting that "we ain't got no money" feeling from many recording labels, both Indie and Major. I got the drift that things are tough right now. I also agree with your point about the RIAA. You tried to warn me a long time ago about the recording industry and referred me to Aimee Mann's website (for which I am still grateful). I've been a little like the wayward child with stars in her eyes. I have hopefully seen the error of my ways. This can be an ugly business, but it's where I have to be because I know this is what I was born to do. So now I am drinking in as much information as possible and trying to avoid the potential pitfalls. <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 being a ticket to success....Sometimes its a ticket to hell> So true. I had a very bad experience with an A&R guy/Producer from a record label 20 odd years ago. It left a taste so bad in my mouth that I dropped out of the music scene completely. I was young and naive like your niece. I didn't know people could be so deceptive and cunning. I just wish I hadn't let that person cause me to shut music out of my life for 20 years. Big mistake. <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.> That's pretty heavy about your friend. I have an entertainment lawyer if I can ever pay her the retainer! But from what you are saying, not all of them are to be trusted either. I believe what you are saying about the more you sell, the more you owe. I watched a Behind the Music special with TLC and they broke down how you can sell millions of records and still end up broke. Kate, if I could just make a decent living at this, I think I could be happy. My dream is also to collaborate with as many artists as I have time on this earth for. Thanks very much for the insight. I am loving all of this and learning so much! Now I see how right you were from the very beginning. Sherelle
