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I've carried on buying CDs long after the advent of downloads and streaming, but I got used to them being 7 or 8 quid for many years and I must admit I'm reluctant to now pay 15 or 18 - especially since I carry on listening to them on Spotify even when I do own the CDs.
By the way, not trying to be funny but I've never heard of Josh Smith either.
Exactly. When you work for yourself (be it as a musician, builder or whatever) you need some basic business sense. There's really no excuse for losing money on a tour. All the costs are researchable ahead of time. If the income doesn't exceed the expenses you don't do it.
It must be very difficult to make a living playing blues though. @Jack_ is right, it peaked a long time ago. It's been done. That being said as I mentioned above personally I'm not doing enough to support music I enjoy.
If he was playing near me, I may well go and see him - but I wouldn't buy his music - I've got plenty of stuff in a similar vein already.
Not sure why the other two who said it got lol'd?
He's not owed a living. He's a more proficient guitarist than say Dan Auerbach but I bet Dan isn't worried about the next pay cheque (these days).
The Black Keys took blues and outputted it in an indie listener friendly sort of package, later on they delivered it in a more mainstream rock/pop format.
What is his USP?
People give money to buskers but in the digital consumption of music it's going towards free or £10/month streams. Asking for donations is typically frowned upon.
I don't even see why streaming services couldn't integrate it directly, so you pay your £10/month but if you want to chuck an extra £5r to your favourite album that month you could do that if you wanted.
I've not heard of Josh but I'm not really into blues, but wish him all the best. I agree the suggestion of trying to play for someone more established is possibly a good way to make more stable money but that's more easily said than done
Yes, the Black Keys. I love those guys and they have made it massive as you say. What about Bonamassa, what's his USP? There are better players, better singers, better song writers and better performers so why is he the biggest name in blues?
Has he got any good songs? He might be an amazing guitar player (and is very likely a god bit better than me) but unless he's got songs people want to put on repeat he's not going to get big enough to make serious money. It's the same for everyone. The reason Ed Sheeran is huge is his songs. Same for Coldplay, same for U2, same for every other great artist who has had more than one proper hit album. Guitar playing alone is not enough, because normal people won't care.
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
Forum feedback thread. | G&B interview #1 & #2 | https://www.instagram.com/_harry_seven_/
I'm not surprised that he is struggling, I think the majority of musicians are struggling unless they get lucky, find a niche or manage to hook up with a big name. I used to have lessons with Eric Roche, an amazing guitar player. He used to busk to make ends meet.
The sad fact is that making money, enough money out of music is damned hard work and requires constant pushing, being good is not enough. You need the energy and personality to go with it. It's draining. I also wonder if they make enough money to see them into old age?
I think I'm very happy to have music as a hobby.
Back in 'the day' when I worked on the outside of the music biz I used to receive (through no fault of my own) a magazine called 'Blues Matters'. I always felt there should have been a question mark at the end of that title.
I remember having the same feeling when I first heard Brad Paisley too. He was associated with all these awesome Dr Z amps and then was playing some of the least inspiring music I've ever heard. Brad probably makes quite a bit of money given his genre though.
I get where he's coming from. His post is, to me, more about the perception that he's made it.
Hats off to him for being honest. We live in a society where it's okay for us all to let off steam largely anonymously on forums like this but, because he says it as himself, he's a whining tosser.
It does reinforce what I've said numerous times (in a bid to make myself feel better for not pushing myself harder), that I'm glad I didn't 'make it' as a musician. I suspect I'd be a drink/drug casualty or dead.
My band, Red For Dissent
Never heard of him, but I think it took a fair amount of balls to post something like that and hope to have it taken in the way it was meant.
It just shows that (as if we didn't know) talent isn't the thing that that gets you noticed, it's the being in the right place at the right time with a manager who knows they can make a lot of money from you.
Yeah, and I bet his dog hasn't died yet either.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to