I'm five shows in with three shows to go on the July 2008 UK Summer Tour to support my new record "Charmed Life". I've had a great time at all of the shows. I've been playing songs from the record as well as some new material and some of the favorites from my last two CDs.
Last night's show in Edinburgh at The Village was another reminder of why I like to come here. People liked what they heard and bought s few CDs. HOWEVER, the attendance was underwhelming! I am not sure what else I can do to get people to attend the shows!? Songs on local radio...press...posters...I am not sure how to crack that nut!
I must say that I am getting tired of traveling all over the place to play to no one. I don't want to sound like a complainer, but I am not sure if most folks understand how hard it is to get your music out there. Or, how much work it is to travel around setting up your gear and playing songs for people. Not to mention the years it takes to get your craft up to snuf...writing songs...money for recording...endless hours spent researching venues and contacting them. I figured that each 1 hour set takes 10 hours of prep time...not including travel or money spent....hotels, food, guitar strings, CDs, gas, equipment.
Where would the world be if all the musicians and artists just stopped workign so hard to get their work out there?
What if you turned on your radio and there was was static and news. What if your favorite TV shows disappeared? What if the sports highlights came without a soundtrack? What if you sat at your favorite cafe and all you heard was the couple next to you fighting over who's working harder on the relationship. What would you do if you went out for a few drinks and the juke box had been removed. All the CDs you own suddenly went blank and the art on your walls and in the magazines turned white. When you opened up a new book and all you saw was blank pages?
The creation of art comes at a tremendous expense to the artist. NOTHING in this world is free....paint...canvas...guitars...pens....wood...work studios...CD duplication...gas...sketch books.....all of it costs money. When people don't pay for the appreciation of creation, it goes away.
People don't bat an eye at paying for food or wine. The cost of beer and peanuts at the local bar doesn't cause any kind of major meltdown. Yet music, poetry, art and literature are supposed to be free? I don't show up at the doctor's office and ask for my check up for free. My dentist wouldn't look into my mouth if they suspected that I might not pay them. Next time you're at the doctor's office, tell them that you don't believe in paying for medical care just like you don't believe in paying for music! Good luck getting your broken arm reset!
I guess I've gotten a little off track. I love what I am able to do. I consider myself blessed to be able to write and play music for people. I look at it as a gift to be shared with the world. HOWEVER, sharing that gift costs me a ton of money. Wine makers share their wine with the world....and they get paid for it. People show their appreciation of things that they find important to them by purchasing those things.
The age of free downloads and cafe entertainers has made the world lazy! NOTHING is free. That "free" download" cost the artist money to create. Ask about how much studio time costs....or a home studio...recording gear? The guy playing in the corner of your favorite cafe is, no doubt, loosing money by performing for you.
Do him, yourself and the world a favor and buy a CD or put a few dollars in tip jar. It won't kill you and it might just save YOUR SOUL!
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