tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31810036.post8435283710192524107..comments2024-01-19T07:58:25.455-05:00Comments on From My Mind To Your Eyes: Notes on the Music BusinessChrisSlighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05081118898217527399noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31810036.post-2228969825666020112008-02-28T02:16:00.000-05:002008-02-28T02:16:00.000-05:00Chris,I'm looking forward to hearing some of your ...Chris,<BR/>I'm looking forward to hearing some of your original music when your new album is complete! I really enjoyed your performances on American Idol (esp. the DC Talk cover), and your sense of humor was great.<BR/><BR/>I know I'm coming late to the party, but I thought I would offer my $.02 about buying albums and concert tickets.<BR/><BR/>Once upon a time as a naive young lad, I would sometimes purchase a CD (or cassette tape, yes I'm that old) knowing only one song. Occasionally that worked out ok, but then one day I bought a Billy Vera and the Beaters album for one song, "At This Moment". As I listened painfully to the rest of the cassette (again, old) I was subjected to a song called "Peanut Butter". And this was a "best of" collection no less. Someone released a major label album with a song called "Peanut Butter" on it. And lest you feel he is owed the benefit of the doubt, that this was some kind of soul-searching, lovelorn, metaphorical peanut butter...I can tell you it was not. It was a song about peanut butter.<BR/><BR/>That's when I knew I'd been had.<BR/><BR/>These days, I'm more apt to buy albums with _no_ hit songs, than with one hit song. I love buying "best of"s from bands that have had great careers, but I also will buy CDs from artists that just have a great sound. Rusted Root, Jars of Clay (before anyone heard of them), Rich Mullins, Burlap to Cashmere, The Corrs and the Gypsy Kings were all bands I just happened to be exposed to somehow, and I loved their sound so I purchased their music (often multiple albums).<BR/><BR/>I'm also much more inclined to buy concert tickets to these kinds of artists, as opposed to ones that just had a hit or two on the radio. I can't count the number of times I've been to a concert and I knew one song by the opening act...and it was their only good song. They didn't have a sound, they just had a hit.<BR/><BR/>From the relatively small sample I've seen of your musical ability, I think you have a great sound, a great vocal style, so I would be inclined to buy your "CD" (I'm not so old that I still purchase physical copies of music -- I will be downloading it).<BR/><BR/>Speaking of performing...I live in northern Alabama and every September we have an outdoor music festival called the Big Spring Jam. You should totally come play here! There's five different stages, so you can pick one you feel most comfortable with, and the crowds are huge! Four years ago, Switchfoot played the Jam right as Beautiful Letdown was blowing up...they had 40 thousand people at that stage - it was fantastic. I don't think the money is great, but you'll have a good time.<BR/><BR/>Switching gears...I've really enjoyed your insights into how the recording industry works. I completely agree that the Gilded Age of the major labels is coming to a close. I would definitely eschew the major label route and pursue one of the more creative distribution strategies.<BR/><BR/>Finally, thanks for taking time to connect with your fans...we wish you all the best!Larry and Brookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287905203920500340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31810036.post-29096073792139273792008-02-08T16:28:00.000-05:002008-02-08T16:28:00.000-05:00Hey Chris,I know this was posted several months ag...Hey Chris,<BR/><BR/>I know this was posted several months ago but I must have missed it. It came up new in my feed reader today.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, it was very interesting. One of the great things about you is that you have a real connection with your fans. You've never been shy to share your thoughts or information on how things work and I think that's really cool.<BR/><BR/>I've become a huge fan of yours and I can't wait till your solo album drops.<BR/><BR/>If you ever need any help with graphic design or website work please look me up - I would be thrilled to help out.<BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work.Josh Byershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04804005986487705193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31810036.post-57496506235867575952008-02-08T11:05:00.000-05:002008-02-08T11:05:00.000-05:00Morgan,this post was written several months ago.Ch...Morgan,<BR/><BR/>this post was written several months ago.<BR/><BR/>ChrisChrisSlighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05081118898217527399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31810036.post-57608247406227113552008-02-08T10:37:00.000-05:002008-02-08T10:37:00.000-05:00Elliott has sold 491,000 albums.Elliott has sold 491,000 albums.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com