I think we are seing a revolution in the music entertainment industry. Consider the following: 1. Digital recording of music and related technology has changed the way music can be stored and transmitted. People aren't bound to CD's and tapes to store and listen to professional quality music. Napster, Realplayer, and Windows Media are all results of this. Even radio stations are moving to stored music -- transferring CD's into a computer, tossing the CD's in a closet, and calling songs up electronically as they need them. 2. It's cheaper and easier than ever to produce music. My sister teaches a product at the Art Institute of Houston made by a company called Digidesign. It uses a software based system to do all of the things done in a studio by racks of equipment. It can replace $500,000 worth of equipment for $50,000, and produce the same quality of music. This is just one brand of this software, and it's being used in the real world, right now. Not only that, but even the recording industry admits that CD recording/copying technology has gotten to the point where the cost of physically producing a CD is measured in cents, not dollars. The cost of making music has become less of a barrier, and should result in more competition in the music industry, and more regional artists. 3. The way that groups and records are being marketed has radically changed. The groups are being marketed more than the specific albums, and in more creative ways. Technology and the internet are being used as a tool. Even the recording industry is using free MP3 files to push it's products. Internet companies are getting involved as well. Internet providers like AOL provide "key words" and provide links to artists. Companies are producing enhanced CD's, with links, and even trial versions of ISP's and other software. And companies other than record lables are promoting artists. HBO, MTV, and others have pushed several artists. One of the major networks actually based a TV show called the "Making of the Band" (Though on the Miss America Pageant, they were awful!). The network that has done the most for new artists is Disney, which propelled or elevated the careers of several good up-and-comers. Big successes include LeAnn Rimes, Britney Spears, and 98 degrees. Growing Disney artists also include S Club 7 and Hoku. (BTW -- Hoku Ho, Don Ho's 19 y/o daughter, released an album earlier this year, and currently has a special on Disney with 98 degrees. She's really good! Not another Britney Spears clone.) The internet, competition within the recording industry and a decreased dependence of artists on the recording industry is going to change the way we listen to music. I'm predicting we will see the major lables humbled, and an increase in the number of regional artists, and artists promoted by other forms of media, such as television, internet, and radio station conglomerates. But with rapid changes in technology, who know's where we will end up. We're living in a great time! ------------------ Stay Cool... [This message has been edited by dc sports (edited October 18, 2000).]
Some of you might want to check out www.half.com. They sell books, DVD/CD's, and games. It's similar to an auction site, but the prices are fixed. There is some beat up stuff, but alot of new stuff as well. ------------------ Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the mother****** upside the head!
Davo, I agree the artist should get their dues, i listen to JJJ alot and as a result often end up buying CDs from INDEPENDENT Aussie bands, which have to fund the recording of the CD themselves, so they very much deserve their money, and there would eb no way i would put those on Napster or lettign someone burn their CD. Smeg ------------------ www.NOPostCount.com
