The Revolution has begun - and it will not be Televised The new Artist Development Paradigm

In reflecting on the music world in 2004, there were very profound and dramatic changes that have changed the content of the music itself. 2004, always be remembered as the year when the Big Five was Big Four and do not be surprised if you read about this time next year and we'll let you know about the big three ! In addition to Sony / BMG merger, 2004 also be remembered as the year labels used aggressively video games as a marketing tool to launch many of their artists. There will also be remembered as the year when the government finally said no thank you for the concert business in a very loud and clear. Sommersesongen is taught mainly very painful and costly lessons on exactly who and how the public is willing to pay to see action and what they are no longer willing to pay! Accordingly, Clear Channel has removed the service fees for their ticket prices and drastically reduced in many departures from his seat. The industry has also learned some valuable (and long) lessons on the volume of shares on the market can absorb, and the possibility to live in some of these actions. Of course, the most profound impact on the music industry, the closure of four major brands; DreamWorks, Arista, Elektra and MCA (MCA, but reborn with a much smaller staff than Geffen). These closures represent a loss of nearly 600 jobs. New labels are not as abundant as in previous years. The note, EMI Music Publishing executive Evan Lamberg EVLA formed a new label by Atlanta for the signing EMI-authors, Simon Fuller (American Idol) made 19 recordings of the USA and Great Britain, the Commander Dave Benveniste l the artist has a new label business - Velvet Hammer Music at Sony / BMG artist and manager Joe Simpson (manager / father Ashley and Jessica Simpson) JT formed by Geffen, a producer Kanye West has formed a good audio Sony / BMG Los Angeles. Shaquille O'Neal is back in the music world through 34 in Atlanta. When we look back over the past year, reminds us of the many discussions we had with various business people on both sides of Atlanta under the current state of our music industry. Without exception, it seems to be a very sad that the Registrar of companies have experienced over the past 25 years, se ha ido. It's very disturbing for many, a sad and very exciting for others. We see these times as an incredible opportunity for a total re-invention not only on disks A & R Dept. But for all of the music industry. If you as an artist, banda, an agent, manager or other professional music companies can not see that the old paradigm of artist development (long-term effect of building a career from the bottom) has been completely re-established over the past few years, if you need to finish this business. The old ways of doing things that no longer applies. This May seems obvious to many of you, but you will not believe how many so-called professionals in the company who spoke today to believe that the only course of action can have a viable career today, hui is to ensure that this act signed to a major label. What we find so sad is that these people feel this (and they are many) can not even look at the system and we believe that this objective can be achieved for an artist no longer exist! We have said before, but it bears repeating - even if nobody out and said that (the truth is, May not even be aware of it), the major labels today, with very rare exceptions Nearby, are no longer willing to be in companies that have built over the last forty years. The old the process of signing, recording and developing talent takes too long and too costly to achieve the results they want when they were granted. Accordingly, whether intended or not, (and this is partly that many people simply can not see) is the major labels are now in the marketing and promotional activities, but of course only for artists and experience has been developed that can be converted into more Platinum sellers. Well, this would certainly be very, but that is simply not the world we live now. Of course, there will always be sellers of platinum in the future, but much less between them. Today, it is simply too much supply available. It is fascinating to see some of the most influential publications of music that exists today as pitchforkmedia.com, to mention only 2 opening major artists in their Top 50 in 2004. Today is a matter of choice. The future of the music industry are thousands of niche artists fewer documents of sale. That cable TV, which has a fraction of the audience, but is profitable! And it is the most profound difference from the past when it comes to A & R signing and look at what will happen to work in the market. In the old paradigm, the public, most often, I just wanted (with some exceptions) that the major labels signed and sold (of course, it May have something to do with what was available, which is our point). Today's music selection is much broader and much more of a wide range of artists, not to mention some of the new formats to make choices almost infinite. And since most of us have known for many years, the market is much bigger (yes, people aged 30-50 SE buy music when presented with artists who can connect with) that primary care never to recognize the labels. Where can Ray Charles sell two million copies of a CD through a chain of coffee (Starbucks) (before winning 5 Grammy), James Taylor or sold more than 1.3 million CDs through the holidays without Hallmark most of his CD is still available at retail? If any of these artists were on a major label (James Taylor was with Columbia / Sony for 27 years until last year), which most likely would not have sold more than 100000 copies? high! These two examples provides an insightful illustration of why many big brands are now fighting for its very survival. They can not really see what customers want. But a much deeper meaning they do not want to learn what customers want, either. Do not get me wrong, there are a number of work as heads of major brands, it's just that the corporate culture of most major brands at the top is so deeply out of touch with the times we live, can not see their own some of the problems they face. The building of his career time is a luxury they can no longer choose to contribute a. They think they do, but the reality is otherwise. In the merger of BMG and Sony Music divisions, which will allow you to go around 2500 of its employees during the next five months, approximately 12% of its workforce and 45% to 50% of the USA. .. Uu At this point, nobody knows the number of labels between the two labels will be closed or how many artists, will be removed from two companies that these two giants continue to streamline its operations throughout the world music in one. Why are so sad about this merger, in particular, is that, unlike some mergers, which have the purpose of the merger is a vision to create something more and better, something that neither company could achieve traveller alone, this merger seems to be an idea just to survive. Among other major label groups have also streamlined its operations. Warner Music Group to allow more than 1600 employees during the next year and only recently dropped 93 of the 195 artists from its list (47%) and closed Elektra, once prosperous and base in the Warner label. Last year, EMI announced it would cut 20% of its artist list during the next 12 months. Does this sound like an industry that is interested in establishing or developing something? It's like a marriage, when the fighting neither side was open, willing or able to really see what the problems that continue to keep you glued! So just make decisions and over again that they can avoid the discussion of what is really important for their survival! The revolution has begun! Opportunities abound today and limits the artists, bands, managers and other individuals and companies who really understand what's happening in real life, something that could reverse and seeing the mechanism maturity that many still are struggling to keep making it? not only a business model in ruins, but an entire way of seeing the world as we used to live, but not anymore! The staff, business and artistic successes we see today are the people who can peer through the fog and see the illusion of the company, because it really is, not how they wish or hope converted, but how it is really! People move freely and creatively interacting with our new social order, while others, including some politicians (and apparently a large number of voters), still clinging to a world or a way of think and it no longer exists. It is only a faint echo which serves a persistent spirit who does not know his own death. Enough of us have had enough therapy to know it, often in life, some of our greatest turbulence created by our refusal to see the difference between a world that makes us believe exist, and the world that really exists. Towards the thought of artists, actors, courtroom, Indie labels and artists themselves are the ones that were (and the truth has been for some time), which is responsible for building the next generation of career artists. There are many examples that illustrate this. Look at what Ken Levitan (Vector Management) has managed to hot with the launch of Damien Rice's career. Or how Capsahw Koran (Red Light Management) to build and develop Dave Matthews career RCA signed before him, never losing sight that most elements are essential in this business? The artist and the public. Or Steve Martin Jensen & Kirkup (run) announced today that Jamie Cullum, a young piano man who had his own CD before its debut. The choices made during his career Cullum, a showcase for the SXSW tastemakers last year to more than Hyping it does not illustrate the very different way to think of an artist and his career. Another good example is the Scissor Sisters, who went to Britain early in his career, as a step to find the USA ready to sign. Two of these actions was to sell more than two million copies of his first CD. More importantly, they found were able to establish a solid audience for themselves. Employment is not intended to events, which have a large backlog, and is therefore more like the Super Bowl. The best is the long journey that has been built on a solid and viable that it can maintain a broad range of diamonds and experiences. Each of these artists were able to build a strong and viable without a major label, and in most cases do not include Airplay radio at all. What these artists (and their leaders) have in common (whatever their gender) was an entirely new way of thinking and approach to the market regarding the development of their careers. They use new non-traditional methods and who can not afford a huge marketing push behind it to raise awareness. Most had the chance to return home to the public exhibition of radio and praise from critics. But today, with much more marketing and exposure for artists (iPod, webcasting, Internet radio, Web sites, non-traditional retailing, iTunes and the Amazon, to name only two) is working to develop and build a career for themselves Wo not necessarily be familiar names in the early years, but was built Musch something more important - a very solid base of fans who really want their music and their participation in performances. These artists have built their after over a long period of time, not by hype and over-exposure on MTV and other media, such as in many cases today actually damage the race rather than better. Today more than ever, we are looking for something real, something they feel a strong connection. And increasingly, we seek non-traditional means. It is a tragedy of major brands? (Tragedy in the classic definition is defined as the fall of the greatness that is not a character flaw). They continue to apply the formula that will give them the huge Multi-Platinum merchants who once enjoyed. The only problem is the current system does not allow such mass merchants as he did in the past. Today, we have too many options. And that is their tragic mistake. The major brands can not see that it is harder and stronger than continuing to promote its actions, most of the public who are on the verge of now seems to be listening or taking care of the matter . It is this phenomenon that we change the type of artists, whatever the style, which will emerge and be able to build a viable career for themselves in years to come. Is this new business model, it seems that came before? This is not a coincidence! This will be one of the hardest lessons for us as an industry to get real. Let go of what we have always considered that the definition of successful (outside of the box Top-10 radio hits, videos on MTV, visas for everything and anything, TV spots, the transition of moving images ), These vehicles will no longer be considered as a way to a long career. These are all things we have seen repeatedly in the past 5 years have damaged the race when it happens too quickly or without restraint. For many of today hit , the artists seem so afraid that this time, for the moment is their only chance in life to have a career, that the only thing they do is saturate the market for all forms of excessive exposure, and often, so that the big brands, not even see his own party to short-circuit their own careers. Beyonce, Queen Latifah, and even if it's wonderful actor Jude Law? which were published in six films in the past 7 months - are three examples that come to a point of view on different areas of entertainment. Hits radio, TV spots, forgotten films, videos from MTV, Magazine Covers (Beyonce's 25 does not refer to the music magazine in the past 18 months was sufficient to overwhelm and alienate the most devoted fans ), As well as many visas products, prices show appearances, first movie, TV, boxes of the same colour hair to look back to you with his picture on every supermarket shelf America. So today's event is not beyond our cultural conscienceness for over an hour. How can never look forward to something when the history is never enough time to lose? It's like meeting someone for the first time and feel you have to tell you that the whole first day. What is the mystery? What remains to be discovered? And yet, it is now, especially in the music world for the last 12 years, how operendi decided to launch a successful event. Is it strange that we do not have a lot of artists who have built a successful musical career for themselves in the past 10-15 years? The new generation of artists and leaders (and yes, there are some who believe long-term) coming out today do not seem to see their clients career with the same unhealthy compulsion. They have a solid understanding of who and what they are and have been able to chart a path that is consistent with this vision. This, more than anything else is what will help build a career as an artist, rather than destroying it. An industrial development which will be provided not mention is the latest trend in upstreaming. This is where an independent label is currently developing an action from the ground and to some extent, sales, the law is to go upstream of the big label. The catch is, of course, unless the label must renounce its shares in store if the facts will be a success. The major flaw of this scenario is that major labels have always believed that any act done in a 100-250 K independent label should be able to do at least three times within a system with a major label. As we have seen in recent years is simply not the case! Most acts will not 150K to 500K during the 1 st album. And there is nothing wrong with him. This development (artistic and commercial development) is an organic process and time. We do not expect children to go in its first six months, or should we. Often, problems with major labels unrealistic expectations is the sale targets for their actions, because the law is now at a large . Very often, I saw the labels of their spending limit based on the sale of totally unrealistic expectations. Too often, a label which says that their sales targets were not reached and the law drops. Is it any wonder that our industry has produced fewer career artists over the last fifteen years? That is also why all major label artists roster will continue to become increasingly small. As we have said, no longer have the desire to be in marketing, business development artist, and thus no longer need large infrastructure that has always when there is a need to support three hundred artists from a list. With the labels continue to act this way, you have to wonder if the store directories in the future of origin. Well, one thing is certain, that you are not major labels - who have no interest in this process. They want market forces to develop the natural talent. This phenomenon is really fascinating to see the big brands put time, money, energy and focus on the future development and independent labels instead develop the artists themselves, which historically di so well over the past 40 years. The most fascinating of the whole process for us is how many artists and groups today, I want nothing to do with the main framework for cross! It's really a feeling more and more incidents between many have not been signed today. A number of artists today, we have seen too many races over the past 10 years, meander, implosion or lost in a system that really does not have to do first. If major brands are to survive in the future will have to reinvent themselves. They will have to see their own businesses, because it really is today? Not knowing how they would like whether or how it is, but how is it really. As Ehart strong Werner said: La verdad Set You Free, but first you really piss him! Stephen Ritch Esra Trumbull music publishers, recording companies, 818-995-7458