FunkiestOne said:

Since when does anything Susannah has to say matter?

OldFriends4Sale said:

babynoz said:

This is where stanning goes wrong because it renders one unable to be objective and realistic.

Didn't she say she couldn't pay her mortgate? Nobody made that up, right?

Therefore despite having worked sporadically within the industry she is clearly stating that the has been unable to earn a sufficient amount to sustain an adequate living. Her words, not ours.

Therefore it's quite reasonable to suggest that perhaps another career path might have been a better choice under the circumstances. She probably could have continued doing music on some level as well.

what does 'stanning' mean.

What I posted was a cut in past from WIKI, because someone asked about what are some of the things she's done post Prince

So I don't understand the post in connection to what I cut n pasted. It was just some info

When all else fails play dumb.

babynoz said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

what does 'stanning' mean.

What I posted was a cut in past from WIKI, because someone asked about what are some of the things she's done post Prince

So I don't understand the post in connection to what I cut n pasted. It was just some info

When all else fails play dumb.

seriously, I'm not always 'hip' on these words

Since someone quoted her in the associate artist forum and we all chose to discuss it.

Edited as I forgot to quote op for context

[Edited 5/31/16 11:26am]

2elijah said:

FunkiestOne said:

She probably has a point about not being able to make money selling the music, but what music does Susannah have anyway? Or does anyone care about it? I just know her from doing background vocals with Prince about 20 years ago.

.

If she can't pay her mortgage, then sadly, she should have perhaps chosen a more lucrative career. Or just known that the music business is high risk and most people don't make a living at it..probalby like 95% of musicians. And the ones that do play live all the time and support themselves doing that.

.

But yes of course the music business is about youth and the very few "artists" who are making millions at it are selling a brand more than any music. Most all the pop stars don't write their songs and can't sing well or play any instruments. They are manufactured products, not truly artists.

.

Oh well, I like her from her association with Prince and only wish her the best and hopefully she will make some money if the Revolution tours and she is a part of it, etc.

Thats why she should have had a plan B, once she was out on her own out of the Prince camp over 20 years ago. You don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Well, to be fair, up until now she didn't really need a plan B. Life throws you curb balls and sometimes you need to regroup and make a new plan. I'd imagine that is where she is at now.

simm0061 said:

2elijah said:

FunkiestOne said: Thats why she should have had a plan B, once she was out on her own out of the Prince camp over 20 years ago. You don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Well, to be fair, up until now she didn't really need a plan B. Life throws you curb balls and sometimes you need to regroup and make a new plan. I'd imagine that is where she is at now.

You ALWAYS need a plan B, especially if you have kids. Been there. Had to get rid of a jackass, take him to court, the whole nine.

I had kids to care for so I got myself a good job with benefits and moved back home till I could get back on my feet. Sometimes you just have to go out and get a job. No shame in that either.

Her gofundme is still up and she deserves to get the help she needs but she also needs realistic counsel too. I hope she gets both.


https://www.gofundme.com/kffssq6s

people worry too much about money, none of us is promised our next breath and we construct all this shit in our heads to worry ourselves to death over. can't afford mortage? so what, find another place to live. No one is ever happy with money, and that includes Prince who was not happy with how much he got from Warners.

keenly said:

jjam said:

People don't buy music anymore - why would you when it's basically free? Music used to be probably the leading escapist leisure pursuit. Now it's the internet.

Prince is not responsible for this culture shift, so quite how he owes former associates is beyond me.

Pay to play=paying PRINCE for the right to use the music.

It is not about owing, it is about common decency.

If I were in that position it would have been MY pleasure to help others. Prince did not see it that way.

[Edited 5/30/16 10:16am]

You may as well tell us who you are, as you appear to be someone who worked with Prince who feels hard done by. It would be cool to hear your story actually.

jjam said:

keenly said:

Pay to play=paying PRINCE for the right to use the music.

It is not about owing, it is about common decency.

If I were in that position it would have been MY pleasure to help others. Prince did not see it that way.

[Edited 5/30/16 10:16am]

You may as well tell us who you are, as you appear to be someone who worked with Prince who feels hard done by. It would be cool to hear your story actually.

right? the ax grinding is tiring just spill it keenly.

terrig said:

jjam said:

You may as well tell us who you are, as you appear to be someone who worked with Prince who feels hard done by. It would be cool to hear your story actually.

right? the ax grinding is tiring just spill it keenly.

LOL....my first thought was "disgruntled Paisley Park reject".

babynoz said:

terrig said:

right? the ax grinding is tiring just spill it keenly.

LOL....my first thought was "disgruntled Paisley Park reject".

i think its whoever managed to get to princes twitter for like a half hour and post all kinds of silly ish...lololol keenly gives off jilted vibes.

terrig said:

babynoz said:

LOL....my first thought was "disgruntled Paisley Park reject".

i think its whoever managed to get to princes twitter for like a half hour and post all kinds of silly ish...lololol keenly gives off jilted vibes.

And to stoop so low as to troll the departed. Some sick puppies here.

PeteSilas said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

DMarieP said:

PeteSilas said:

I've never seen her play an instrument and honestly, anyone who prince gave a break to lucked out. I know he was hard on most of them but they got their break and they squandered it, or they just didn't know how to do anything on their own. What does susannah even do? does she write, does she produce? does she even sing that well? I'm a musician and I get tired of this entitled shit from other musicians, no one promised you anything when you decided to be in this business. I have to do all kinds of unnconnected, unglamorous, hard, grueling, dirty work because I chose this and I don't do a lot of whining about it. I love music and it doesn't matter.

When you work in the arts, it's for the love of it. The hustle is part of the game. It takes a lot of dedication but its worth it.

it is, those rare moments, whether it's someone telling you that they were depressed and your performance made them feel better or a stranger feels so connected that they just want a hug. You cannot put a price on those moments.

DMarieP said:

PeteSilas said:

I've never seen her play an instrument and honestly, anyone who prince gave a break to lucked out. I know he was hard on most of them but they got their break and they squandered it, or they just didn't know how to do anything on their own. What does susannah even do? does she write, does she produce? does she even sing that well? I'm a musician and I get tired of this entitled shit from other musicians, no one promised you anything when you decided to be in this business. I have to do all kinds of unnconnected, unglamorous, hard, grueling, dirty work because I chose this and I don't do a lot of whining about it. I love music and it doesn't matter.

When you work in the arts, it's for the love of it. The hustle is part of the game. It takes a lot of dedication but its worth it.

This is true

I was watching a Jazz doc. the other day and I think it was Wynton marsalis who said if you are a jazz singer or musician you don't get into it for the award shows fame a spotlight... because most Jazz artists don't get that

Let's be real. Her sister Wendy is more well known and has had more success musically. Do I detect a little jealousy and a touch of bitterness here?

jungleluv said:

Let's be real. Her sister Wendy is more well known and has had more success musically. Do I detect a little jealousy and a touch of bitterness here?

She's done work with Wendy & Lisa too, but Susannah was married with kids & then divorced. Most of her issues she's talked about were connected to that and him. Or lack from him.

You all need to watch 20 Feet from Stardom. It pretty clearly lays out how although backup and studio singers help make signature songs for rock stars, they rarely earn enough money or cache to build a lasting career. It's not a fair equation and the bad financial results fall mostly on women. It's unlikely a career with someone else would have made her rich.

But as has been mentioned here, Ms. Melvoin's financial difficulties appear to be not down to her work with Prince of 30 years ago, but much more related to a very recent deadbeat ex-husband who ditched her and didn't pay child support. We don't know anything else at all about her finances, so perhaps best to keep the judgemental BS about her career choices to yourselves.

limoncello said:

wonder505 said:

limoncello said:

You all need to watch 20 Feet from Stardom. It pretty clearly lays out how although backup and studio singers help make signature songs for rock stars, they rarely earn enough money or cache to build a lasting career. It's not a fair equation and the bad financial results fall mostly on women. It's unlikely a career with someone else would have made her rich.

But as has been mentioned here, Ms. Melvoin's financial difficulties appear to be not down to her work with Prince of 30 years ago, but much more related to a very recent deadbeat ex-husband who ditched her and didn't pay child support. We don't know anything else at all about her finances, so perhaps best to keep the judgemental BS about her career choices to yourselves.

I did watch 20 feet from stardom and they all went on and got jobs. One of them cleaned houses and the other taught English as a second language. Judith hill kept hustling. Just pointing that out.

Congrats to you on missing my point.

limoncello said:

wonder505 said:

limoncello said:

Congrats to you on missing my point.

oh I got your point, but since you mentioned the movie I thought it's good to mention what they did about their situation. Mmm hmm [Edited 6/1/16 21:51pm]

Huh. I guess you just chose to ignore the point then. Shocker.

limoncello said:

limoncello said:

You all need to watch 20 Feet from Stardom. It pretty clearly lays out how although backup and studio singers help make signature songs for rock stars, they rarely earn enough money or cache to build a lasting career. It's not a fair equation and the bad financial results fall mostly on women. It's unlikely a career with someone else would have made her rich.

But as has been mentioned here, Ms. Melvoin's financial difficulties appear to be not down to her work with Prince of 30 years ago, but much more related to a very recent deadbeat ex-husband who ditched her and didn't pay child support. We don't know anything else at all about her finances, so perhaps best to keep the judgemental BS about her career choices to yourselves.

Agree, it is silly to speculate. And I can't think of anyone who made a life-long career doing back-up vocals.

There was a time when backing vox drove songs - Motown era comes to mind. But the voice is an instrument that starts to wear out with age. So much like a dancer, if you had a decade of solid work, then that would probably be consider a successful career.

But back to the direct article quotes, what she is saying in general is 100% true, a sad state for artists

limoncello said:

wonder505 said:

limoncello said: I did watch 20 feet from stardom and they all went on and got jobs. One of them cleaned houses and the other taught English as a second language. Judith hill kept hustling. Just pointing that out.

Congrats to you on missing my point.

I did see 20 Feet From Stardom. It's you who missed the point.....the point is you do what you need to do under the circustances.

You mentioned her being ditched, once again, been there. It's not a rare or unique occurence.

Furthermore, I'm reminding folks once again that if you read the OP she is the one who made her ordeal public so do not pretend that somebody just popped up out of the clear blue and decided to judge her when she herself opened the door. She's getting advice moreso than judgement.

Finally, it is concerning because that essay is dated in 2013 and it is now three years later and there is a gofundme page active, which suggest that all is still not well. I think people just hope she gets some steady income with a family to support.

OldFriends4Sale said:

But back to the direct article quotes, what she is saying in general is 100% true, a sad state for artists

And she is right about that.

But when Prince says it........

babynoz said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

But back to the direct article quotes, what she is saying in general is 100% true, a sad state for artists

And she is right about that.

But when Prince says it........

EXACTLY.

But when a woman who worked with him says it, the response is, "Oh she should have known better." "She should be cleaning toilets if she wants money." Exhausting.