The Politics Of The Music Industry

I've posted about "the politics of music" before...

Chely Wright's Fan Club Lies To Promote SUV Song

...but I just came across another, similar perspective about the process of getting a song on the radio -- and it got my wheels spinning again.

Isn't it interesting when you start to realize all of the behind-the-scenes favors and politicking that goes on in the music industry these days?

Thanks, Nick, for opening our eyes to the absurdities of the biz. Another book that did that for me was, Dreaming Out Loud by Bruce Feiler.

I can't help but feel for:

...those songwriters who don't happen to have a "voice" and therefore work for peanuts for most of their life pushing songs up and down Music Row -- while getting little or NO recognition along the way.

...those singers who have the voice but not the "look" and who, therefore, will never even be given a chance to make it in the biz.

...those singer/songwriters who've got every bit of what it takes, EXCEPT for the "connections" or the $ to make it on their own (AND pay the bills).

Yep, success in the music business comes down to one thing: Who you know! Okay, maybe two things: ...and how much money you've got.

In theory, if every singer/songwriter could afford to manage their music career "independently" (just like entrepreneurs in the business world do) it would create a much more level playing field -- in my opinion. Instead, people are forced to buy and/or sell their way up the radio dial these days. It just doesn't seem right.

Just thought it was interesting...

UPDATE: I came across another AWESOME explanation regarding what it takes to make it in the music biz these days... this from a Christian Rock singer/songwriter/musician named Shaun Groves who lives here in Franklin.

On his blog, Shaun's got a 3-part article series listing the reasons you DON'T need Nashville, or more accurately... why you MIGHT not need Nashville.

He provides a great insight into the biz, and he's speaking from experience!

You Don't Need Nashville...

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