RE: [Harp-L] Reality check?

[Marc Molino <mmolino54@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

As I'm not a professional musician, I can't comment personally, but I can guarantee you those free YouTube postings have landed the likes of Ronnie Shellist, Chris M., Jason Ricci, and Adam Gussow (to name some of the more successful ones I've seen) whole new audiences in addition to paying students, purchases of customized harps, income from downloaded music, etc. I bring this up only because it illustrates an example of diverse revenue streams (live gigs, CD sales, online sales, lessons--in person & online, customized work, etc.). I think demanding times, especially for musicians, are forcing them to diversify their offerings bringing in income from several avenues instead of one big one. It does seem like an even bigger period of transition for musicians, especially with an instrument like the harmonica, which doesn't typically lead to fame and fortune.-marcThe RP Muse Blog ~ Highlighting local arts & culture. Submissions welcomed.
http://therpmuse.blogspot.com
> From: IcemanLE@xxxxxxx> Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:33:38 -0500> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [Harp-L] Reality check?> > Feeling philosophical - trying to find a more common ground of reality,  past > what I'd LIKE it to be.>  > The world seems to be in a huge correction mode - for the past 40 years, we  > in the Western World were led down the path of CREDIT - live well today, pay > for  it sometime tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes until NOW.>  > Everyone is having to re-evaluate as this philosophy is collapsing all  > around us. People are being forced to accept the fact that they've been living  > wasteful lives and are pulling back tremendously and trying to find out what the  > basic needs are and how to afford them.>  > For instance, the Thanksgiving Day Weekend travel is predicted by AAA to  > fall off even though gas prices have really dropped, as people are pulling  > inward and trying to hold on to their money and re-evaluate. In the past, even  > with high gas prices, people would always travel over Thanksgiving to be with  > family as a very important part of their lives.>  > The dominos are falling all around, affecting people's spending habits for  > sure. Food, transportation and shelter are the focus. Entertainment, while  > important, is taking a back seat. Restaurants are closing, bars can't afford  > live entertainment as drinkers sit at home w/six packs these days. People buy  > less music in the traditional retail sense as the internet opens up more free  > exchange and there is less disposable income to spend.>  > So, here we are on a harmonica list, 2000 strong, debating what we like and  > what we don't. However, who is doing well in the real world pursuing music -  > with or without the harmonica - beyond a hobby? Rob P is gigging steadily  > (perhaps not as steadily as before) because he was well entrenched for years in  > the scene and works a lot of reunion type shows of already established music > (ie  - BS&T and maybe Blues Bros type shows). >  > Locally, I've been gigging a lot less w/smooth jazz r/b unit as  > opportunities are drying up and/or the pay is decreasing. The few dedicated  students I > have are sticking with it, but new students are few and far between  as the cost > of lessons are not as affordable as they used to be.>  > The landscape is changing rapidly and I'm curious as to who is doing well  > and what the new directions may be. Those blazing new trails on the  diatonic > have fun with posting youtube videos (for free) and enjoy the  strokes received > by comments (for free). >  > What do you see in your future crystal balls? > **************One site has it all. Your email accounts, your social networks, > and the things you love. Try the new AOL.com > today!(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212962939x1200825291/aol?redir=http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp> %26icid=aolcom40vanity%26ncid=emlcntaolcom00000001)> _______________________________________________> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
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