It's becoming increasingly flattering that I've been getting approached by musicians that are just beginning this game that we call the "industry." I'm always more than happy to give advice or tell people what I'm doing or what I've done in order to help create a little ease in someone else's dreams. But it seems to me that there is so much advice out there that there isn't a definitive road in regard to what's right or wrong.
Take this guy for example. Bobby Owsinski. He seems to think that giving your music away is the way to get your music heard. This is the beginning of his article in case you didn't click on the link.
When you're just starting out, your music is worth nothing, regardless of how much time and money you spent on it, because no one knows who you are. If you charge for it, all you do is limit the number of people who might otherwise hear what you have to offer, thereby stunting your career growth. There may come a point in time where you can charge for it, but if you're in DIY mode then that time certainly isn't now.
Well I'm pretty much going to call bullshit on that. I feel, you know as an experienced musician in TODAY's world, that if you begin your career by handing out your music that the actual value of your music and musicianship decreases. A wise man once said to me, if you hand your music out for free at your gigs or whatever, it loses it's value. People are more likely to pop an album into their CD player or Ipod that they've actually invested in. Make sense to me. Granted, if you have a great platform to hand out a song for free it would make be a great way to get some exposure. But honestly. Where are those platforms that have ready-and-willing fans? Where should I go to drop a link for a free song that will actually get heard? . . what's that? Crickets?
I tell ya man his article just goes downhill from there: There's been study after study all over the world that all come to the conclusion that the biggest demographic for music consumption (teens to about 30 years old) all feel that music should be free. What?! Ummm. Kaaay. Well, also gonna have to say a resounding "nay" to that as well. Sure people might want to rip your album. Sure they might want to burn it for their friends. I'm down for that. Hi. My name is Neil Cribbs and I'm a musician. You know how I can say that? I have good fans who BUY my music and my merch. Yeah . . . they BUY it. Ya Dig?
This is the skinny on what I'm trying to say. A good musician came to me with this article and questions. Thank Moses he did. Had he taken this guy's "advice" he'd be out of the game in no time. Talk about starting down a rocky road without shoes. I've read this guy's bio. And, I'm sure, if he has Google Alerts he's beginning to read mine. Sure . . . been in the industry. Taken pictures with famous people. I really don't care. If he can give his two cents, which he has given a way for free go right ahead. I'm sorry I just feel that bad advice is bad advice. I say if you believe in your craft, whatever that may be, and you invest time in it and you're getting good feedback from people about it. Sell it. Believe in yourself. Dreams aren't unattainable. You just have to remember them when you wake up. That's the first step.
Keep Driving.
