In a lengthy interview with a Chicago radio station, Jimmy Buffett discusses the past, present & future of the music industry (starting at roughly 45 minutes in): http://wgnradio.com/2015/...rly-years/

He's been in the business for decades & few artists have reached his level of success, what his number of studio & live albums & his consistently successful tours, not to mention his radio & television stations, New York Times best sellers, restaurant chains & resorts. It's safe to say he knows a thing or two.

I never understood his allure but people flock to his concerts. I know quite a few folks who think his is just the cat's meow.

kitbradley said:

I never understood his allure but people flock to his concerts. I know quite a few folks who think his is just the cat's meow.

----I'm sure there are many people that would wonder why you flock to the concerts you flock to.

Empress said: kitbradley said: I never understood his allure but people flock to his concerts. I know quite a few folks who think his is just the cat's meow.

----I'm sure there are many people that would wonder why you flock to the concerts you flock to.

I don't flock to anyone's concerts, dear.

[Edited 8/24/15 10:01am]

Regardless of your opinion on the man's music, he's clearly prolific, successful & has achieved a measure of longevity in the industry that is more than respectable. He's also far more articulate & open on the subject than Prince, which is a refreshing change of pace - an artist with no need or interest in bullshit.

And imagine that - if you liked an artist & they weren't performing in your city that night, you could still turn on your satellite radio or tune in online & watch or listen to their show, free of charge.

Another recent interview on a similar subject, where he manages to articulate in about 4 sentences what Prince can't do in 20 years, without rambling on about interferons or whatever & calling himself a slave:

In the music side of his life, he holds little love for the record companies. “The contracts are not set up for the artist,” he says. “They count on the passion of the musician and the tendency to destroy yourself at an young age.”

That’s why he left the “industry” and established his own way of doing business.

“I didn’t have to depend on the kindness of crooks,” he says. “Work for yourself so you can be yourself.”

LittlePurpleYoda said:

“The contracts are not set up for the artist”
“They count on the passion of the musician and the tendency to destroy yourself at an young age.”

“Work for yourself so you can be yourself.”

My goodness. That's a perfect summary, without all of the extra blame, bravado and hot air.

Big co-sign here. Gotta give props to Buffett. Hopefully more craftsmen/women can have the ability to follow suit on this model of work.

We need more acts like him, telling the truth about the music industry and it's history of taking advantage of young talent.

Eh.

He says a lot of smart things but he's still a product of the old system.

Suffice it to say you have to become somebody in order to be somebody.

What I mean is there's a lot of freedom built in to exploiting the old model. Record companies are rip-offs but what they afford you is massive publicity and promotion.

Prince said contracts are ok for new artist because of this fact.

After you and the record company finish exploiting each other THEN you can go on and do your own thing, IF mass popularity is your goal.

Madonna is a good example of recognizing the power of this dynamic. That she's still playing within this system is her personal thing.

CynicKill said:

Eh.

He says a lot of smart things but he's still a product of the old system.

Suffice it to say you have to become somebody in order to be somebody.

What I mean is there's a lot of freedom built in to exploiting the old model. Record companies are rip-offs but what they afford you is massive publicity and promotion.

Prince said contracts are ok for new artist because of this fact.

After you and the record company finish exploiting each other THEN you can go on and do your own thing, IF mass popularity is your goal.

Madonna is a good example of recognizing the power of this dynamic. That she's still playing within this system is her personal thing.

A product of the old system who has had his own label for many years now & unlike Prince, has managed to successfully shepherd a stable of artists on that label, many of whom have also spent years with major labels. Also unlike Prince, he can be heard on the radio in new music, as he collaborates with contemporary artists, thereby keeping his brand going. He is 11 years older than Prince, but tours far more extensively & fans know when & where he'll be performing well in advance.

Prince says a lot. That so little of it makes sense is the problem.

kitbradley said:

I never understood his allure but people flock to his concerts.

I still don't.

LittlePurpleYoda said:

CynicKill said:

Eh.

He says a lot of smart things but he's still a product of the old system.

Suffice it to say you have to become somebody in order to be somebody.

What I mean is there's a lot of freedom built in to exploiting the old model. Record companies are rip-offs but what they afford you is massive publicity and promotion.

Prince said contracts are ok for new artist because of this fact.

After you and the record company finish exploiting each other THEN you can go on and do your own thing, IF mass popularity is your goal.

Madonna is a good example of recognizing the power of this dynamic. That she's still playing within this system is her personal thing.

A product of the old system who has had his own label for many years now & unlike Prince, has managed to successfully shepherd a stable of artists on that label, many of whom have also spent years with major labels. Also unlike Prince, he can be heard on the radio in new music, as he collaborates with contemporary artists, thereby keeping his brand going. He is 11 years older than Prince, but tours far more extensively & fans know when & where he'll be performing well in advance.

Prince says a lot. That so little of it makes sense is the problem.

>

I'm only arguing for Prince on the one good point he made.

Read the rest of it for a more thorough perspective.