Artists Performing Albums Live In Sequence

Steely Dan wrapped up the Los Angeles stay of their tour called "Rent Party" at the Gibson Amphitheatre last week.   Over three nights they performed a different album in sequence (as well as other songs), choosing Aja, Gaucho, The Royal Scam in that order and on the fourth night they took internet requests from their fans.  This is becoming a common occurrence by artists these days and in some ways it seems like a way to play the market more than it should with a different angle. I'm torn as to whether I like this trend of artists performing their albums in sequence at their shows.   Although it offers fans a recall of a listening experience I look at it as more of a stunt on behalf of the band.  It does showcase some songs that may have never made it onto the setlist but on the other hand, I fear it takes away some of the spontaneity that I as a fan expect at a live show.  I think there are debates on both sides but I would love to hear your thoughts.  Do you think more artists should be doing this?  If so why or why not?

"The Death Of The Music Industry"

David McCandless is putting together visual charts at his site Information Is Beautiful. One of them is titled "The Death Of The Music Industry" where he publishes an info graphic he credits to the New York Times illustrated below. A frightening visual reminder of the changes that have occurred to the music industry. Years are to be read left to right (although not clearly defined) from growth to decline with each individual chart representing a format. (Click on image below to enlarge)

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Digital Music Forum West

I've been invited to participate on a panel at the Digital Music Forum West, being held at the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles October 7-8. I've been on a number of panels before but as a creative label executive. This will be my first one as a digital media entrepeneur. The panel I will be participating on is Social Media with a focus on the social networks and the music industry. I am looking forward to hearing how my fellow panelists as well as the audience interpret and perceive today's climate based on their experiences.

Founder of MP3.com shares his thoughts on Digital Strategies

An article and interview by Greg Sandoval at CNET News with Michael Robertson, founder of MP3.com, in which they discuss current digital music models and how Michael feels are flawed based on the current cost structures dictated by the labels can be found here. I agree with Michael on a most of his points, royalty rates that don't support business models, eagerness to be partnered with large corporations on behalf of start-ups, consumers will have the final say, etc. But I think this is more of people trying to hang on to old ways of thought rather than tearing down a business model. The labels have the right to dictate the value of their assets (their recordings) and time will show if they can hang onto that as it appears the value of recorded music gets closer and closer to zero based on market forces created by consumers. On the other hand, a number of these digital start-ups funding by large venture capitalists were contingent on developing a relationship with these labels and access to their catalogs, even knowing that it was a matter of time before the bank goes dry. I addressed attention economics in an earlier post and I truly believe that's where all this is heading but it is difficult to make a business of it until some changes occur by all parties. As they say 'timing is everything' and eventually all the parties that are involved in this game will either adapt or die.

Paper or Follow Thru?

A friend of mine quoted me a saying today "Good on paper, bad on follow-thru" and we both had a chuckle as to how well that seemed to apply to many in not only the music business but other businesses as well.  Often times people are impressed by resumes, online profiles, pedigrees, schooling, etc., etc.  There are a number of measuring devices we try to utilize based on person's history to give us an idea as to how we think this individual stands in regards to how they go about their business.  I truly believe the most over looked of these devices is good old fashion success.  Not the people that had it once because then we can write it off as luck but someone who has over the years demonstrated the ability to continue to achieve success multiple times based on the ability to grasp the task at at hand, diligence, desire to win and of course, a lucky star.  But as they say, the 'harder I work, the luckier I get'.  I am product of the street, a graduate of the Univ. of Iowa with a B.G.S. (Bachelor of General Studies). I moved to Los Angeles with $50 and no car on a Thursday and by Tuesday the following week I was taking the number 3 bus line to the Atlantic Records office as a temp filling in where needed.  As fate would have it, I am proud to say I was personally involved in the signing, developing and navigating artists and their projects that sold well over 40 million records.  I was responsible for making people and my organization $100's of millions and that is something that can never be taken away.  I went out on my own a little over 5 years ago (I hate to say that's when I started to be an entrepreneur as anyone who knows the risks of being an A&R person knows that it carries as much risk as any entrepreneur), raised angel financing and built a business that offered media publishing tools for artists to record and sell their live shows directly to their fans online.  Recognizing the habits of the online live music fan after capturing and marrying it to portals such as the AT&T Blueroom I jumped at an opportunity to benefit talent and their fans even more based around the event experience , tour histories and the media that comes from it, thus I began Total Live Music.  I've sat in meetings with some captains of industry and geniuses of the arts and overall have lived a very blessed life.  Why do I ramble on about such things? Because our country has been going through one of the most difficult times I have ever been a witness to.  Being from Iowa, I had grandparents who would tell stories of the Great Depression while working on the farm.  I also heard stories of heroism and loss by my family during World War II and when my father was called to duty he didn't hesitate.  These were people I revered, hard working, decent people who would stand up for what was right, answered the call of their country and their success was measured by the closeness of the family and their ability to harvest and provide food for those they loved and cared for.  I guess in today's world they "wouldn't look good on paper but had great follow thru".  There are a lot of people in this world right now that need jobs, they didn't all go to an Ivy league school, work for Yahoo/Google/Apple, didn't have the family pedigree that put them in play, etc.  They just happen to have a lot of character, which to me is the measurement of success and the more you have, the more successful you are. I'll take that every time!

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