From rgafner@pressroom.com Mon Oct 28 18:16:45 2002
Subject:Re: OT return on investment-Way OT

Hey All,

IMHO,
This Artist/Pay/ROI issue shows it's ugly head virtually anytime there is an
artistic discipline and powerless artists who have little control about
being exploited. Fine Art Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Weaving,
Basketweaving, Jewelry, Music performance, etc. None of these disciplines
are required to return on investment until a business is formed, with costs
shouldered by the artist. The artist pays until someone else will. Artists
have been paying and waiting a long time. Years of listening/training and
waiting so that the skills can be "donated" to the present moment. In the
present culture, money is the way that appreciation and value is
transferred. Applause doesn't pay the rent. When money changes hands then
the comparisons begin. The opportunities to hear "music" are everywhere so
this lulls the masses to complacency. Perhaps music performance is so
"undervalued" because so few really listen and understand what it takes to
get to "music" or so few play music themsleves. Phenomenal players work
day jobs to further their musical interests at night, providing
entertainment for the "passive listener". "Free" music has become the
background for the rest of the daily activities on the planet.

In addition, It has been a recent phenomenon that people directly pay for
TV thru the form of cable. Most thought that TV was free. (Not) Radio is
free too, isn't it? :-) (Not) NAPSTER and others. Free Music !!!!!(NOT)
Large groups of people sincerely believe that created media in all forms
should be free. Background Music is played from CD at all sorts of events,
easy, free and under control. Music played by a band is urgent, costly and
too loud, too soft, wrong mix, wrong style, etc. Still we play for tips
and "exposure"!

Spilling guts on a rant,
RG


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