Andrew wrote:No, and that's the big problem. Historically and even now, labels are the ONLY entity putting money up for tours and advances to get albums actually recorded (if the artist doesn't have his own studio or income source).
Hey Andrew, I'm going to respectfully disagree (with some) of what you said. I do understand what you're saying here. Labels *used* to be the bank account that Bands drew from when making (recording) a record and the intial seed money when touring....
These days that model has changed dramatically....There are artists out there that have either put professional studios in their homes or have resorted to small/protools DAW's on their laptops to record albums. There have been some very good (and obviously, very bad) albums recorded with a laptop, protools and some carefully selected/placed microphones. These bands will then turn to world-class mastering houses to turn their home-made product into something fit for public consumption. This has worked well enough recently that enough bands have done it. As a result, the reduced capital offered by record companies these days is either turned down, put entirely into mastering...or utilized to get a tour started.
Because of two things (1. record companies offering far less & 2. bands not taking some or all) the record companies have lost another income stream. The interest they would charge on the recording/touring advances they would give to bands. Instead, bands are seeking other sources of capital from (potentially) cheaper sources.
Interestingly enough, in Country music, this 'loan' model is still used by artists. There's enough money flowing around in Country music in Nashville, that Artists can afford to borrow from the record companies to record an album...they don't need to do it at home...they can do it in a studio with a big name producer like John Shanks/Dann Huff/Frank Rogers/etc...And because Album-sales in Country music havent experienced the awful dropoff that rock music has....an artist doesn't have a problem taking a large loan from say Sony Records at 10%...because he/she knows they can repay the loan out of album sales. When you have to start repaying your album advance with your tour earnings (which are traditionally your proft zones for bands)..it's sorta like paying for financing debt with operating income. Not a good way to make money.
However in Country music, there's also some interesting alternative sources of funding. Brad Paisley's tour in 06 was entirely funded by Gain detergent. Keith Urban's 05 tour had the same backer. Kenny Chesney has been funding his tours with sponsorships from Rum makers to Corona Beer. Garth Brooks doesn't pay one red cent for any show he puts on, because he knows there's a million capital providers just aching to get in on a sure thing.
The fact of the matter is that how aband finances its operations has alot to do with just how much money the band can make....It's like valuing the income streams of a business. The rate of return really depends a whole lot on future income streams. Rock music is in SERIOUS trouble right now. No one's making dick...and the record companies (and some idiot artists) are blaming file sharing....when in fact, they should be looking in the mirror and putting a good product on the field. Gene Simmons was recently quoted (on your site I believe) blaming file sharers....Maybe if he actually stopped re-releasing his repackaged shit...and put out a good new album...it'd be a different story.
Like the music or not, Country music is *thriving* under the old business models. Record companies record most of their gross profits in the country sector.....then they lose it all in rock. It's sad...but true.
Seriously though, ANY singer singing live can miss a note here or there. I heard him sing "Opened the Door" and it was PERFECT!! Beautiful in fact. He hit notes I never knew he could hit!!! I am not an Arnel basher either. I just feel cheated with Jeff not getting more time.
