> Did you know that 97% of music (cds etc) purchased in the states is American. > Leaving a measly 3% for music from the rest of the world. > Don't know whether the statistics are true, but I wouldn't be surprised. When I was living in L.A, the "center of the universe" as they often refer to, I used to spend quite a bit of time listening to radio and visiting record shops. I must say I really didn't discover any new artists. Ironically, it was only during my vacations to France that my buddies there made me discover new music.
Also, in L.A one could see major jazz artists (e.g. Mc Coy Tyner) in small clubs/restaurants. In Paris the same artists draw big crowds! It's nice for the jazz afficionados in L.A. but for the artists it must be hard to play in front of only 50 people every night. On the other hand, US rock bands that fill stadiums in the U.S. (ZZ Top, Yes) fill medium size venues in France. Laurent
