Question for Sal

[SiameseSher]

I was wondering what are the reasons the Music sales are lower?

How will this effect Freestyle music in the long run?

What can people just started getting into the business do to make the most in the difficult times we are in?

And finally what should the Public do and be aware of to help the music business get on its feet and what will happen if nothing happens.



Reason I am asking, from what I have read from other online people, they feel the all record companies are out to steal their money and don't really understand how the industry works or how artist/staff get paid. I also get a sense that many feel music is a right instead of a privelige to take or do what ever too regardless of copyrights. I also had noticed many computer companies also use it as a selling point to download music, and make it so easy w/o letting people know of the rights of the artist of the media.

 

[Sal B]

I believe downloadng music is STEALING.There are copy right LAWS.Laws are made not to be broken ,but protect people`s interest.I know most people don`t feel this way,and that`s because most people are not song writers.If you created something original you should be entitled to profit from it.If anyone out there had a great story to tell,and you told someone who turned it into a movie without your permission,I would bet the house you would sue that person.This is the same thing.I know cd`s are expensive,I agree and I think labels should lower prices,but untill then don`t steal from your favorite artist.Support them and lay down your 15 or 20 bucks for their CD.

Reason why prices are so high is because first you have label overhead.Which includes rent(and if you know what rent is on Madison ave)salaries,electric etc etc.Then you have to sign an artist,producers,stylists,tours,videos etc etc.Everyone gets a piece and some pieces are VERY expensive.Then you have all the artists that the label put millions behind , and never made it.This all come down to the fans paying for it.It sounds unfair ,but it`s all in the cost of doing business.

What everyone here at CF needs to understand is that not even in Freestyle`s heyday was it a major part of top 40 music.There were some artists and songs that did make it ,but very very few artist ever sold over 150,000 copies.So as far as freestyle today goes,I believe the legends such as Judy,Johnny,Coro,TKA and others are around because they are just that legends in nightclub performing.I would say any new artist that is trying to make it as a freestryle artist today`s really has there work cut out for them.This is not a
brandof music that gets a lot of respect by the big dogs in the business.

And,for anybody getting into the business now.I think you should get a good education, and become an entertainment lawyer.In the 17 years that I am doing this,the only people that always get paid are the lawyers.If you want to do other things like management or bookings.You should either have another job to supplement your income or have already saved a couple of hundred grand, and take a shot.A typical project from start to finish for us to put together usually costs between 200,000 to 500,000.That is without videos and touring.So if you want to be a manager or just create a artist have your checkbook ready.And for the record most projects never make it off the ground,but when that one hits it`s a beauitful thing.Always remember it may seem cool from the outside,but it is the music BUSINESS.Buisness is a bigger word than music.So know you sh*t or you will be find yourself broke and wondering what happened.