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Jimmy Buffett rocks the major-label boat
SFGate.com ^ | 18 August 2002 | Joel Selvin

Posted on 08/18/2002 7:58:10 PM PDT by Darlin'

Edited on 04/13/2004 2:40:47 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

He has already signed big-hair rockers Poison, an alliance that cuts across stylistic boundaries about as far as you can go.

"We make as much money if we sell 100,000 copies this way as we made when we sold a million copies through a major label," Poison bassist Bobby Dall told Billboard magazine.


(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: capitalism; corporategreed; creativeaccounting; jimmybuffett
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To: cva66snipe
I don't look into an artist politics

Like, wow dude. Righteous! Kewl!

LOL,
Except for dating yourself with the Peter Paul & Mary reference, I initially thought you were one of the idiot college students I have to listen to every day.

Anything goes, whatever makes you feel good, regardless of its affect on society.

I'm not saying I'm a Conservative political correctness nazi.

I don't do Macarthian research on music artists or movie stars. In reality, I almost prefer NOT knowing their political view points, as I suspect I'd become a shut-in if I actually knew how liberal most of them are.

But if there's an artist that I like and follow, and I'm made aware of the fact that they're on the side of the bad guys, then I no longer vote for them with my dollars.

As implausible as it sounds, if there was an incredible Islamikazi rock group that was giving all their money to Al-Queda, would you still buy their records?

In Jimmy's case, I happened to read the Clintoon era Notell Motel Lincoln Bedroom guest list and Jimmy was on there. That bothered me, so I did a little more research and found out that he was a big Clintoon supporter.

That was the last time I gave Jimmy any money.

I haven't burnt my Jimmy LP or CD collection, and I still occasionally enjoy his music, albeit with a twinge of disapointment.

He's a smart guy, he may yet see the light.

41 posted on 08/18/2002 11:03:11 PM PDT by JohnLoyRocker
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To: JohnLoyRocker
As implausible as it sounds, if there was an incredible Islamikazi rock group that was giving all their money to Al-Queda, would you still buy their records?

Good one. I haven't bought a rock CD made from anyone past the 1985 era. Actually I know well what some support maybe more than you. Why did Kerry Livgren and another member of Kansas quit the industry? MTV? Forget it. MTV is likely one of the most damning things going. But at the same time I can listen to Kristofferson and appreciate his lyrics. My music taste is varied I also liked John Hartford. BTW some of the best songs ever written were by scoundrels. Amazing Grace, I saw the Light,to name a few. I didn't like Hank Williams lifestyle but his music was fine. I'll buy Hank SR CDs and older Hank JR ones.

Yea even ol Willie Nelson I reckon is not good enough to meet the standard of some. But then again The Troublemaker album was likely his best work ever with Red Headed Stranger second to it. No I don't like a lot of Willie's behavior or projects either but I did buy his album with a message I could support. I learned to play a gituar listening to that album.

I don't know what I'll do if Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, Allison Krauss, or even Tom T. Hall are labeled liberals. Yea I do I'll still buy the music. But I'll vote against their political party the same way I vote against many Republicans also. That doesn't mean I won't but gas from my liberal neighbors gas station either. I'm not electing them to office I'm buying their labor or product. Now if that product is something I find offensive like a product of Islamikazi rock group then i won't but it for the same reason I will not buy many rock albums. The Content.

42 posted on 08/18/2002 11:40:31 PM PDT by cva66snipe
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To: MelBelle
With ProTools, a digital recorder, decent mixer, distribution deal and a product that someone wants to buy we can all break the backs of greedy record company execs.

Good for Buffett!

Michael Cheney

MTD Records (another Indi Label)

43 posted on 08/19/2002 3:41:56 AM PDT by Fighting Irish
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To: IncPen
That's funny - I have a bootleg DAC from his Panama City concert (mid 80's?). Between songs, he is introducing the band members, including their home state. DAC says, "My name is David Allan Coe, and I live in Key West, Florida and JIMMY BUFFETT DOESN'T!"

....and then he rocks on!

44 posted on 08/19/2002 4:18:17 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: PirateBeachBum
Hey Pirate: Looky here Jimmy's making MORE money!

I'm just waiting for Jimmy to remake Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me." (maybe he'll dedicate it to his buddy Bill Clinton)

45 posted on 08/19/2002 4:25:17 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: stainlessbanner; All
"My name is David Allan Coe, and I live in Key West, Florida and JIMMY BUFFETT DOESN'T!"

....and then he rocks on!

David is an interesting guy, to say the least.

He did a famous cover of Steve Goodman's song, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name", which is generally regarded as 'the perfect country song', because it hits all the country music cliches and in the last verse mentions momma, pickup trucks, prison, and trains.

Just the other night I was replying to a thread here on FR about AL Gore and his use of marijuana and biker chicks, and there was a link to this interview, which says David can confirm Al's misdeeds...

46 posted on 08/19/2002 7:01:05 AM PDT by IncPen
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To: stainlessbanner
Jimmy...bucking the system, and making money doing it. Attaboy.

Stainless, Maybe he'll pick up Def Leppard too and they can make "Pour Some Sugar Sand on Me" with Robert Greenridge on steel drums!!!
47 posted on 08/19/2002 7:13:06 AM PDT by PirateBeachBum
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To: IncPen
"I'm David Allan Coe, and I'm burnt out, and JIMMY BUFFETT ISN'T!

I'm fans of both...seen both in concert multiple times, but poor David is cooked. I'm guessing he could give Keith Richards a run for his money on consumption over the years.

Ole' Jimmy continues to re-invent himself constantly...a Renaissance Man of our day!!!
48 posted on 08/19/2002 7:22:01 AM PDT by PirateBeachBum
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To: lara
I like Buffet's music, but considering the fact he supported both Gore and Hillary, I really couldn't care less what he does.

Damn shame too, considering he used to espouse personal responsibility (sort of): "But I know....It's my own damed fault".

49 posted on 08/19/2002 7:46:05 AM PDT by arm958
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To: JohnLoyRocker
Jimmy is a long-time Democrat. He wore a "Don't buy books from crooks" T-shirt on tour after Nixon wrote his first book after impeachment.
50 posted on 08/19/2002 7:48:47 AM PDT by AppyPappy
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To: arm958
The cartel of the music bosses goes so deep. The music stores, and display is one factor, the radio stations play time is another factor. It is like the old Hollywood threat: "You will never work in this town again"! If you choose to go around the established feeding chain, you will pay.
51 posted on 08/19/2002 7:56:45 AM PDT by philosofy123
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To: philosofy123
Well established artist such as Buffett or the Eagles can buck the system and thrive. Unfortunately, the up and coming talent has a harder time making it without the machinery of a big label behind them. I applaud the one who are willing to go for it.
52 posted on 08/19/2002 8:39:53 AM PDT by Darlin'
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To: JohnLoyRocker; IncPen
One of these day we need to post a why Key West Sucks thread. I was ther two years courtesy of the US Navy. The locals hated the military while grabbing up their hard earned cash. Now that the military, in most part has moved out they cater to the gay croud. Not suprising.

As for Buffet's political leanings, 85% of the entertainers slide into the slimmy pit of the left. I figure they know about as much about politics as they do chemical engeneering, so I stuff my fingers into my ears when they want to talk about their agenda.

53 posted on 08/19/2002 9:00:13 AM PDT by oyez
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To: Teacher317
One of the better artists that record companies screwed was a guy named Jerry Riopelle. His album "Take a Chance" was a wonderful work, but ABC wouldn't market him.

54 posted on 08/19/2002 9:03:30 AM PDT by gortklattu
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To: PoorMuttly
The execs aren't in that bad of shape. They still own all of the back catalogs of the musicians that they fleeced and that stretches back many decades.

Boxed sets, soundtrack placement, etc. will provide them with revenue for years to come. Thanks to "never" expiring copyrights (the government keeps postponing the inevitable public domain status of these works) the corporations will continue to make receipts off of songs that were forgotten long ago.

55 posted on 08/19/2002 9:41:52 AM PDT by weegee
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To: supercat
Clear Channel didn't climb to the top of the heap buying up as many stations as is legally permissible in many cities (and "parking" others with front organizations until the maximums are raised again) just to see their valuable radio stations get replaced with low cost internet radio.

Clear Channel have some insurance against losing their domination of the music biz: they own the major booking company SFX (was PACE) and have exclusive city contracts to many of the nation's medium to larger venues. Down here they even own a few of the smaller clubs.

I haven't investigated it much but I believe that Prince's group does not use SFX. They seem to barnstorm into town with a few weeks notice, booking the Summit/Compaq Center (where the Rockets play). He walked away from WB years ago and sells his CDs at his shows and online (I don't know if he even places CDs in stores anymore although he did market one set through Best Buy).

A couple things not mentioned in this article are "studio time" and "advertising". Prince owns his studio and isn't doing much advertising.

The Cramps went self-published this year too. They would produce their own albums and give them to the label ready to release. They never felt that they got a fair shake and heard that some bands signed to labels because they figured if the Cramps were there, then things must be okay. The band owned clear title to most of their work (not their I.R.S. recordings apparently) and have rereleased them on remastered vinyl and CDs.

A band can get rich without chart success or radio airplay (Iron Maiden built up a sizeable following with continual touring but with Clear Channel's lock on the concert biz tied with their lock on radio, I don't know if a new act could find such success).

The good thing is that an artist doesn't have to sell as many units to get the same kind of money as on the major labels but they probably won't have anywhere near the same kind of fame. Since chart position comes from "soundscan" sales reports, most album sales by indie artists won't be tracked. Big Label will continue to "toot" their own successes with Grammy Awards, RIAA Gold Records, etc.

56 posted on 08/19/2002 9:57:43 AM PDT by weegee
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To: Chad Fairbanks
Careful there, many indie labels have been bought up by Warner Brothers and other majors in recent years (sometimes it is as simple as a distribution agreement).

Some of the true indy labels that I enjoy are:>BR> Norton Records
Sympathy For The Record Industry
Estrus Records

Hightone was good but some of their talent has been walking away of late. Bloodshot Records have some good releases.

For licensed reissues of older material Sundazed and Bear Family are good (Rhino is owned by WB and isn't the company that it was 15 years ago).

57 posted on 08/19/2002 10:02:44 AM PDT by weegee
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To: AppyPappy
Jimmy is a long-time Democrat. He wore a "Don't buy books from crooks" T-shirt on tour after Nixon wrote his first book after impeachment.

Too bad that shirt won't still fit him. He could have worn it when Hillary's $8million book comes out some year...

58 posted on 08/19/2002 10:15:36 AM PDT by weegee
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To: Darlin'
Ain't capitalism grand....

It most certainly is. I'm enjoying every minute of watching these major labels slowly go the way of buggy-whip manufacturers, typewriter ribbon salesmen, and rooftop TV antenna repairmen.

59 posted on 08/19/2002 10:23:38 AM PDT by jpl
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To: Darlin'
What's stopping acts from putting out their own records?

Nothing!


60 posted on 08/19/2002 1:11:10 PM PDT by ravinson
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