[Dixielandjazz] "When you pay less, you get less" changing patterns of music merchandising; --guitarist Mark Guest writes

[Norman Vickers]

To:  DJML; Musicians & Jazzfans list

From: Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

Guitarist Mark Guest, a Katrina refugee now living in Asheville, NC comments
on his dilemma on how to market his music.

Thanks.  This is valuable and interesting information.  Appreciate your
comments/observations.

 

From: mark.c.guest at gmail.com [mailto:mark.c.guest at gmail.com] On Behalf Of
Mark Guest
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 9:44 AM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: Re: "When you pay less, you get less" changing patterns of music
merchandising; 

 



Timely post, as i am struggling with how to get more of my music out. I
*really* do not like the idea of digital downloads only, as, like you, I've
never purchased a track. I did not track CD vs digital sales of my last CD,
but there is a possibility that is *was* my last CD. A while ago, I was
introduced to the head of a new digital music company that specialized in
audiophile quality digital music. I will be looking into that option for
distribution, as it looks like making music is no longer *nearly* enough to
open others' wallets. As an experiment, I've dropped the price of my CDs to
$10 for now, but may go back up to $15 or even the NYC rate of $20. So far,
sales seem to be about the same, but now it is common for people to ask for
more CDs, or to comment that the price is too low. I may be hearing a little
more "Keep the change" when I sell from the bandstand (CDs beside the tip
jar). 

I would be interested if your readers would be more inclined to purchase
"audiophile quality" downloads or CDs (high quality means fewer minutes of
music on a CD). Or do we need to continue to encourage the patrons to drink
up until they are ready to buy a "normal" CD (*with* liner notes)?

The pessimist in me agrees with the Denver Post writer, who observes that
music is not as important to our culture as it once was. Too bad the music
industry is so troubled, as I STILL don't know what I want to be, should I
ever decide to grow up.

All the best,

Mark Guest
Jazz Guitar
www.markguest.net
www.cdbaby.com/cd/markguest

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."
Confucius (c.551-479 BC)



On Tue, Jul 12, 2011 at 9:09 AM, Norman Vickers <nvickers1 at cox.net> wrote:

To:  DJML & Musicians and JazzFans

From:  Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

There's a thoughtful article from recent Denver Post discussing changing
patterns of distributing music and art.  The major thesis is "When you pay
less, you get less."

I send only the link as I don't want to clutter the list by posting a long
article which will be  of interest to some.  I suppose that I am an
anachronism in that I have not purchased and MP3 online and don't have an
MP3 player. If a CD doesn't have good liner notes, I'm not interested.  Some
wag has said, " Life is just  a succession of liner notes!"  I would be
interested in your thoughtful discussion of issues brought up by the writer.

 

Here's the link:
http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_18434673?source=rss#ixzz1Rnr9r6hb

 

In preparation for Satchmo Summerfest held in New Orleans First weekend in
August, I'm reading  Ricky Riccardi's book about Louis Armstrong's All-Star
years, "What a Wonderful World."

It's well written and has new information from interviews and also from the
Louis Armstrong tapes from the Armstrong House Museum.  He's an employee
there.  Also, I never had a good idea about how the sidemen came and went.
There are some good insights about Armstrong's work-ethic and his
relationship to Joe Glazer, his sidemen, Lucille and his fans.  When
finished, maybe I'll write a brief review and post it.

For those interested-Here's a link to a great JazzTimes article and
interview with Ricky:
http://jazztimes.com/articles/27821-ricky-riccardi-armstrong-reconsidered

                                                                           

 
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