[Dixielandjazz] Copying CD's, copyright, promotion, the works

[Vaxtrpts at aol.com]

This has been a spirited thread over the past few days.  I do have  strong 
feelings about the subject.  (Of  course, as many of you know,  I have strong 
feelings about a lot of subjects, when it comes to the  music 
business...................)
1. The first example I would like to give is that of "bootleg" recordings  
that are being sold everywhere now.  It seems that someone who has no  scruples, 
can digitally enhance a "home-made" recording at some concert and put  it out 
for consumption.  In my case, I was on 6 double albums (12 LP's)  with Stan 
Kenton's band, during my tenure with the band.  I am now on at  least 21 other 
recordings that are out for sale in the marketplace.  Did I  get paid one 
penny for any of those recordings?  Of course not, just as all  the other 
musicians didn't get paid either.  Does the Kenton estate get one  penny from the 
recordings?  Of course not.
These people are "stealing" our product to make a profit.
2. Just as I am opposed to "playing for free" to get exposure for my band  
(which almost NEVER leads to any paying gigs), I am against people copying my  
recordings and giving the copies to friends.  Sorry, but this is the  product 
of the labor of myself and the musicians I work with or hire.  It  is our 
PRODUCT.  And - just like stealing from the shelf of a store, when  it is copied 
illegally, it isn't right.
3. Especially in the big band idiom, we know we will never make an actual  
profit from the recordings.  We mainly hope that we can come close to  breaking 
even, so that we can record more product.  It is truly a labor of  love for 
the music and the musicians.  If a person buys one copy and then  makes a dozen 
copies for their friends, rather than suggesting that they go to  "xyz" 
website to buy their own or purchase a CD from the band, it hurts our  chances of 
making more recordings for them to enjoy.
4. I am VERY lucky to record for one of the best of the independent jazz  
labels - Summit Records.  They take very good care of their artists -----  they 
promote the recordings, they supply the jazz stations and the jazz  magazines 
with promo copies, they work on getting our music played on the radio  and get 
us reviews. (Shameless plug -- a wonderful review of my latest CD in the  
November issue of Jazz Times.)  We have to supply them with a finished  master, 
then they do all the production, artwork, and promotion.   They also sell us 
product for a very reasonable rate, so that we, the  artists, can sell them where 
we play to make something off that product.   For me, this is the best of all 
worlds.
5. I don't really blame the inventors or the manufacturers of the cd  
burners.  I know that technology is out there and it will just keep getting  better. 
(i.e. - the old days with tape recorders) But the gun analogy  (politically 
INCORRECT, but what the hey.....) does apply here.  The gun  manufacturer didn't 
pull the trigger to kill someone.  If someone buys a cd  burner and makes an 
extra copy for themselves or even a family member - more  power to them. That 
is fine.  It is when they start making multiple copies  for friends that I get 
upset.
OK -- there you have it in a "nutshell."
Mike  Vax