Vince Gill Speaks Out

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 31 Mar 2004 9:05 am

I like Vince, he's very talented and personable. He's also doing pretty well for himself, I would imagine. Only problem is, I don't pay much attention to a millionaire "star" when they tell me "how bad it is".

Maybe I'm the only one here that finds it a little ironic when these "stars" with dozens of records and CDS's released, "stars" that are making thousands of dollars for a concert (I guess that would mean a 6 to 7 digit annual income?) complain about the "big music business" being so bad. It's rough???

Get a day-job!

Oh yeah, lotsa' these "big stars" have it rough.

But what about us, us little folks in the music business with the 4 and (if we're lucky) 5 digit incomes?

Well, try "sluggin' it out" in neighborhood bars and clubs for $60-$100 a night, and doin' five 40-minute sets. Try luggin' all your equipment yourself! Try playin' somewhere they don't have "dressing rooms", and "hospitality rooms" with a free food layout. Try playin' somewhere you don't have a reserved parking place for your bus and a security team to watch over you. Try fitting a 5-piece band's equipment into 2 cars, so it doesn't cost the band $75 in gas to play a gig that only pays $300.

Yeah, I feel real sorry for the big recording stars. They have such a rough time...compared to the rest of us!

Randy Pettit · Post by **Randy Pettit** » 31 Mar 2004 9:38 am

Maybe I'm the only one here that finds it a little ironic when these "stars" with dozens of records and CDS's released, "stars" that are making thousands of dollars for a concert (I guess that would mean a 6 to 7 digit annual income?) complain about the "big music business" being so bad. It's rough???

No Donny, you’re not. Vince Gill is highly successful because of many years of hard work and his immense musical talent. But he couldn’t have made his millions without “the system” (attorneys, CPA’s, radio, TV, retail outlets, etc…) – the very system he complains about. You’re either part of the problem, or part of the solution. Maybe instead of complaining (which accomplishes absolutely nothing), he could start his own record label, publishing house, network of radio stations or syndicated shows; in other words, put his own money at risk. Or, perhaps he could “politic” himself into the board rooms of the major corporations within “the system” and use his influence to effect changes in the industry.

It’s not a “little guy” or “big guy” thing. Vince Gill was once a little guy, and now he’s a big guy. Now that he’s a big guy, he’s free to try to change the rules, or continue to live within them.
[This message was edited by Randy Pettit on 31 March 2004 at 01:51 PM.]

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 1 Apr 2004 6:09 am

I guess I just don't get it. Sounds to me like he is sticking up for the little guy, not sticking up the little guy. Most people who make it as big as Vince usually turn away from the very problems Vince is complaining about. (They've made theirs, to heck with the rest of ya'll attitude). Just my opinion.[This message was edited by James Morehead on 01 April 2004 at 03:12 PM.]

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 1 Apr 2004 7:11 pm

Bob,

Wal-Mart is not a media company. They're a mass marketer. They take little things and make them big. I'm thinking they can help boost outlets like XM Sattlelite Radio, which they currently sell. They'll force the price of downloads down with volume buying and selling and leveraging fixed cost. I'd say they're on the consumers' side as opposed to the producers'.

I haven't checked out their download catalog, but I hope I'll find it loaded with traditional country artists.

------------------
HagFan

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 5 Apr 2004 4:57 pm

..without looking at the issue in-depth, I'd have to agree with you, Ron..

..here's a link to the Wal-Mart music download page for "tradtitional country" music...you could also pick alternate country, Christian country, quite a few choices...

...however, I do note that the banners and pictures and featured albums are the Tim McGraw and Shania albums...you have to step in that stuff before you get to the part of the yard where your choices are, but I guess that's no different than having to pass by the Cheez-Doodles in order to get a quart of milk...

...I guess my question would be, if you're an independent artist, how do you get on the Wal-Mart list?...

Click Here For Walmart Catalog Link [This message was edited by Pat Burns on 06 April 2004 at 01:42 PM.]