He is a rocker that has faded. No one really cares for his style of 1980s music today. No one under the age of 25 is going to buy his stuff. So he is absolutely dependent on the over 40 crowd to remember him and his political antics (or to forget his political antics). Wal-Mart offered him the only golden-ticket in town. They believe they can sell a significant number and he basically had no other takers. Without Wal-Mart’s help, this CD was destined to be forgotten within four weeks.
The sad part of this story is that washed-up rockers have no real opportunity to recapture anything from their past. There are a few exceptions (KISS, for example). But if Springsteen was going to arrange a concert tour and travel through the south, midwest and west coast with 30 appearances, then I’d imagine that half of the appearances would be canceled because of lack of interest.
Only a suggestion here Bruce...but you might have opportunity up in Branson, Missouri. Get up a dinner stage show and sell $22 dinner coupons with a five song show...and you might fill up the audience. Just remember not to state your politics.