No doubt we are entering a new era, where it goes for the artists is an interesting question. But the star thing will always be with us. That is what people want. On the other hand, the new technology will certainly allow ALL musicians to make their work available to us.

You know how much I love Bobby (his Roy Orbison show was unreal – I didn’t think anybody could hit all the Orbison notes except The Voice himself, but Bobby did it, brought chills to me), and it leads to an interesting question. I once asked Richie if all the guys in the Big Band were strictly musicians, or did they have to have other jobs to support themselves. I was happy when he said they were musicians only. I look at Bobby’s schedule. He works like crazy. I know he loves it, but it is still all over the state, every week. As you can tell, I am a very practical person, worry about old age (coming soon). When I found out that Jeff and Bobby were going to tour with BonJovi I was so happy for them, because I hope this meant they could have a secure retirement when they want. I once heard that Bobby was the choice to replace Miami Steve until Nils came along. Now that would have elevated him to new levels. I guess I’m saying that I wish he was big big star.

It is great that Bobby is our treasure, I know that. And I know there are so many others out there like him. I guess I should not worry about it, as long as you guys can do what you love doing, and that is playing. Because, unfortunately, it isn’t physics, and the best, the talented like Peter Epstein do not necessarily rise to the top. To bad, but the top is littered with Brittany and the rest, there is no room left.

I agree that once you buy a piece of music it should be yours to do as you wish, play on any device. No proprietary stuff. It will come to that. It has to.

Mike

DQ, I’m with you all the way about the limits on where we can play these music files. I won’t buy any music that’s going to limit where I can bring it, or lock me into some proprietary system, I just won’t do it.

I will comment short. There have always been the really terrible but somehow popular artists. Our job has been to cull out the good ones. The Ashley Simpson’s of the world are nothing new. It is like we have to have them so that we can get the Elliott Murphy’s, the Nazz, U2 and Bruce.

As a music fan, I learned long ago that the tracks played on the radio might be the popular ones, but there was so much more to be had in a complete record. In 1969 (after listening to pop radio for years, I just didn’t pay that much attention) my friend played an album by a new “super group” – the first time I heard the term. It was Crosby Stills & Nash. He told me where they came from. I loved the whole record, not just “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” and “Marakesh Express”. “Lady of the Isle” is still one of my favorite songs. He then introduced me to Blind Faith. Again I loved this record, again he explains who they are. He was a very smart guy – said CSN should stay together, Blind Faith never will. This was my introduction to music. I went back and discovered that Buffalo Springfield was much more than “For What It’s Worth”, the only song ever played by them on the radio. And I loved following Stills, Young, Furay, Messina et al from then on. Stills was my favorite artist forever.

My point is this – if digital download was the only means of getting music, there might be lots of it, but you would never know about it. Sure, you would know about a small number of artists, but it takes radio play to introduce you to artists you are unaware of.
And radio play means record companies, with all their flaws. And if cd’s went away, you would never have those great deeper cuts. Would they be on the artists web site? I guess. But I like the record concept, give me all 12 songs so I know what you were trying to accomplish and let me hear all of the songs. You would never know about “Backstreets” (my favorite song, I think) if all you downloaded was the big hit “Born To Run”.

I also always thought that the Napster concept was nothing but theft. I found it amazing that people thought that they had the right to give the artist’s music away free.

I understand your frustration with the technology, I’m sure they will find standards eventually. Remember that this is still in it’s infancy.

None of my thoughts consider the artist’s and record companies business relationship. I know record companies screwed the artists forever. There feet must be held to the fire for that. But I just don’t see how we know about new artists without the record companies.