THE UGLY SIDE OF SUCCESS
FORBERT TOLERATES THE LABEL LUNACY
By ED CONDRAN
* 01/22/99
The Record, Northern New Jersey
(Copyright 1999)
The business side of the music industry has never been one of
Steve Forbert's favorite subjects. However, it's something he's had
to think about as the property of a few labels over the years.
Forbert was the golden boy of 1978 when he released the
critically acclaimed disc "Alive on Arrival." But after splitting
from Columbia in the early Eighties _ a six-year feud with the label
kept him out of record stores _ Forbert has recorded forGeffen,
Giant, and Paladin records. The latter recently folded, and Forbert
is once again looking for a deal.
"It isn't easy going through this," Forbert said during a
telephone interview from his Nashville home. "It would be nice to
have a career like Billy Joel or Bruce Springsteen and be with one
label throughout your entire career. That would be ideal. Going
from one company to another takes so much out of you.
"I don't like to worry about the ugly side of music. I try to
put that toward the back of my mind. I would rather only concentrate
on what's really important, which is the music. But you do what you
can even if that means putting out the records yourself."
That's exactly what Forbert has sometimes done. In 1994, the
veteran singer-songwriter released "Be Here Again." He followed up
that disc with "Be Here Now." Like its predecessor, "Be Here Again,"
is a limited-edition disc available only at Forbert's shows.
"It's just a release meant for the die-hard fans," Forbert said.
"It's for those who are unbelievably devoted to my work."
Forbert, 43, will be performing new tunes as well as a number of
his classic tracks Saturday at the Bottom Line in Manhattan.
"I've been writing a bunch of songs," Forbert said. "The songs
* are personal, folk-rock stuff. I'm working toward making a new
record. I'm sure fans are going to want to hear some new songs, and
I'm anxious to hear what their reaction is.
"I'm also going to be doing plenty of older material. I always
loved doing songs from as far back as `Alive on Arrival.' My life has
changed a lot. I've grown older and I have kids, but those songs are
still relevant to me and my fans."
After his concert jaunt is finished, Forbert is going to start
looking at labels that might be interested in releasing his next
disc.
"I hope this works out, but it's never easy. Hopefully I'll end
up on a label that is pretty understanding. Some label that not only
wants to have my songs on the radio, but understands that preaching
to the converted is all right.
"Sure I would like to expand my fan base, but I'm indebted to
those people who have supported me through the years. They hire
their baby sitters, pay for parking, and buy tickets. I'm a
troubadour, and they understand that. They understand me better than
any record company executive."
