An Excellent New Read: "A Brief History Of Why Artists Are No Longer Making A Living..."

n80, it isn't necessary to know anything, only believe what you see around you; stores closing, malls closed a long time ago; things have changes more in the last 20 years than they have in the last 120 years; for the worst.

The question was, "Why aren't artists no longer making a living"? you could ask that same question about millions of other people all over this country.

Ivan, I'm just thankful that you are one of the few around here that's looking at anything outside of our little "ballywick". So many on Agon seem to live in some kind of insulated bubble; maybe they're in an upper economic class that's unconcerned about others who aren't.

I'm from a generation where rich people were concerned with the welfare of poor people; that's changed dramatically, and those people will soon see how that has been to their detriment. Not meaning that poor people are going to rise up and harm rich people, but that "globalization" which initially only affected those who are less fortunate, is catching up to us all.

Audiophiles who pursue and enjoy technical excellence as inseparable with artistic excellence are on the decline. The current resurgence in interest in analog vinyl is, IMHO, a revolt against convenience but it is also an anomaly and will not survive the relentless advances in technology and the cultural shifts that it will bring.



That is a very interesting paragraph. While I count myself among those who pursue technical excellence, I don't know anyone else personally; it's too expensive; people I know would rather go on a cruise.

They are the multitudes who spent their entire lives with vinyl; they're into digital because they know how expensive a high end rig is, and that's the only reason to go to analog. The mantra that vinyl is warmer, will not penetrate their deaf ears; while this may be true, it's not warm enough for them to spend the minimum 3K to make it better than digital, and 3K is conservative; real audiophiles know that.

Once those "newbees" who bought into cheap analog rigs, realize they have to pony up a few more K to run with the big dogs, they either pony up or fold. Since they don't know about the expertise required for "analog nirvana", in addition to the extra K; they're going to fold, and that's why this resurgence is temporary. Reality is what is; not because I say it is, but because it is what it is.

Whart, I thank you very much for your extremely informative post.

(As you stated in regard to earning a living in the beginning, it has never been easy, but it's almost impossible now)
That, of course, was the key- to be able to make enough money from songwriting or performing to be able to devote full time to the art without having to work a "straight" job to put food on the table and cover the rent, kid’s needs, etc.


When there were nightclubs in St. Louis and East St. Louis, Ill, I saw many good bands and musicians who were unknown. Since I've been an avid jazz fan all of my life, I think I'm qualified to judge what's really good in comparison to all the jazz greats that have gone before now. I saw a band at a club in E. St. Louis that was truly unforgettable; one of the instruments they used was an "African finger piano", and they incorporated it in a fashion that I've never heard, nor can I find anything that resembles their music, but it was so intoxicating that the place was packed whenever they played.

That group was unique and original; they played music that set them apart from anything I've ever heard before or since, and that's not easy. Now, the places for new musicians to begin no longer exist in numbers. Believe me, I've seen and heard fantastic unknown musicians all over this country in clubs that I don't even remember; but some of them could have become household names, they were just that talented.

If you're going to raise chickens, you have to have a breeding ground, if you're going to raise musicians, you have to have nightclubs (or other venues) where they can perform live in front of audiences.

You're quite welcome Ivan.

n80, that was not meant in humor.


First, there are plenty of folks here who know the music industry intimately. Second, you have no idea what other people's experiences have been.

The music industry, and everything else falls under the economy.

What does anyone's experience have to do with the economy?




      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT_AohwjFqQ


There are towns smaller than the cities which are far worse off.

First and foremost, this forum should stick to all things concerning turntable set up, or similar subject, because people here have no idea of what's going on outside of their on little "ballywick" meaning the big world outside of audio.

Has anyone noticed that almost all of the major cities in this country that were thriving metropolises not long ago are now urban slums. Those were places where musicians began their careers by playing the bars, nightclubs, and lounges that hired musicians; that's where musicians who are now household names began.

I'll name some that I saw in small clubs that no longer exist: Chuck Berry, Ike and Tina Turner, plus Albert King began in small clubs in St. Louis. I saw Aretha in Detroit at a night club; hundreds of those types of clubs no longer exist. How is a musician suppose to even start to becoming a paid performer?

So many things begin with the great big picture, "the economy" that affect the little tiny picture; small clubs that entertain people which no longer exist; that's where it starts.

The answer to the question posed, goes far beyond the musicians.