Don Henley is on his high horse in a rambling editorial that ran in the Washington Post. In fact, you might say he's in a huff. I'd sympathize more if not for similar Chicken Little comments he made back when punk threatened his livelihood. Things turned out just fine for Don that time (and not just thanks to the Ataris' covering "Boys of Summer), so I suspect they will again. Once he gets over the rampant piracy of mp3 files, he'll likely shut down this blatant thief of chili recipes.
Not to make light of a serious problem, but his indignation rings hollow because he's a known reactionary. Corporate hegemony has been around a lot longer than the Internet, and it never bothered him until his wallet felt the pinch. Let's break it down:
"Radio stations used to be local and diverse," Henley says.
Right, about 35 years ago, says Vernam.
"The delicate balance between artists and radio networks has been dramatically altered; networks can now, and often do, exert unprecedented pressure on artists," Henley says.
When my neighbor's payola won't get him played on the radio, that's a recession. When my payola won't get me on the radio, that's a depression, says Vernam.
"Would a major label sign Johnny Cash today? I doubt it," says Henley.
No real argument here. But more precisely, if Johnny were 20 today, he'd be smarter than to try being on a major label. And put that way, it doesn't make me feel so sorry for the hypothetical Johnny, says Vernam.
"Music stores used to be magical places offering wide variety. Today the three largest music retailers are Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Target. In those stores shelf space is limited, making it harder for new artists to emerge," says Henley.
There still are magical record stores, though admittedly many medium-sized ones have gone under. The smaller ones that survive often do so by selling used CDs or bootlegs. The real issue with the Mega-Lo-Mart model isn't shelf-space; hell, you could fit a battleship in some of these places. The problem is that corporations by definition have no souls, says Vernam.
The latest No Depression has a long article about T Bone Burnett, who says: "Record companies . . . put out music for people who don't like music."
"Some things last longer than you think they will/There are some kind of things you can never kill," sings Bob Dylan.
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Posted by: VC at September 23, 2004 11:04 AMOK, I'm busted. My view of what Henley wrote was very selective, which is not to say insincere. Do the (knee) jerk! He's just so late to the corporate-hate party -- it's been screwed up for so long, I honestly don't see a great diff between today and 20 years ago. Could Haircut 100 get signed today? 8^)
Yes, my wine turned to vinegar before blood, too. But my chances of being signed in 1978 wouldn't have been appreciably better than now, apart from the fact that my belly was flat. 8^O
>The little guys (labels or retail) are
>in the worst position ever to provide
>that now. That's a shame.
Speaking of Bloodshot, I saw an interview w/ the owners where they unabashedly said that declining major label sales hurt them, too; they need the majors' volume so stores can afford to carry the more obscure stuff.
hey, he credited Robin Le Mesurier and Peggy Sue Honeyman-Scott (how many names does someone really need?). Besides, that chili recipe is only useful if you need to feed an entire busload of roadies.
But to your talking points, I didn't read his opinion piece as a slam specifically on internet sharing. Just on the industry. The industry was always the worst thing about music - but it has been getting worse. I often remind myself the industry began not long after slavery went out of favor. The original music execs however knew what parts could be carried over into the New Economy.
You know I am 300% for the independent music world. But I don't think it's reasonable to assume an artist is disingenuous about his politics, simply because he was fortunate enough to make it big. Not that you are doing that, but it is a standard indie-cred type thing to say.
At least Henley realizes he was fortunate and that now today's odds are so astronomical for those attempting to follow him. Artists simply don't have the same opportunity, to be creative, to explore beyond the mindless limits imposed by product-think. I honestly didn't read this as a 'I want mine - again' piece.
There are many, far too many, small labels and record shops (not just mid-sized) who went under in the past couple of years. I should look up a stat, for personal reasons, as much as this comment. ;-)
Granted, maybe his conclusion - that artists should litigate against the majors to gain some control - is not a fully realized solution. But given the current monopolistic control of ALL forms of musical disemination (concert promotion, distribution, retail, radio), it is near impossible to break out, unless you have a nice looking belly and screech.
I think little labels and record shops can offer things to attract back the buying public - personal service, whatever. And that will distinguish them from the majors and the big box stores. But an artist hoping to make a career of it needs a critical mass to get heard. The little guys (labels or retail) are in the worst position ever to provide that now. That's a shame.
Actually, I just think you're sour-grapin' because they came up with a great country song - "Lyin' Eyes." ;-)
Posted by: deano at February 25, 2004 01:53 PM