Justin,
I have heard it from a number of sources, four or five of them for the past couple of years. BMI, ASCAP, Billboard and a number of Internet industry publications I get. There have been Texas writers, label people, producers that live here in town, kind of "quiet conversation. I have also heard from writers and artists coming from Texas, either doing tours with me or general information here in town. One was one of Austin's top songwriters. All had experienced venues closing and ending live music. Some due to ASCAP and BMI shutting them down due to lawsuits. Some just due to changes in their clientele'. Your recent observations and questions on the closing of Texas charts had also said that. But as I have said to you on other issues, Texas has presented a bulls eye for much of the rest of political elements in the country. One of the reasons I mentioned stuff about gun videos. I would just not make myself a target for outside interests looking to shut down certain ways of life in this country. I wouldn't give them excuses.
There are also "feelings you get" about certain changes in all businesses. There are changes coming to Texas that they have avoided for many decades. It is what has happened to the rest of the industry. You have had for many decades very loyal fans that supported Texas. That is probably changing as new generations don't have the same loyalty as people you know. This is what happens in cultures. They change. And you start seeing little things change first. It is somewhat gradual, and then all of sudden it has changed and you don't know what happened. The reality is that it had been changing for years, you were just insulated from it. The same way types of music you like are always on the radio and then all of a sudden you don't hear them much and then they are gone. It is that huge "THAT AIN'T COUNTRY" debate that everyone has all the time. New songs, artists, waves come and bury those that came before.
It is what happens with music. It progresses and moves forward. The people who are stuck in the past get buried.
I don't have any time lines or anything else other than watching the culture. Change always happens. Sometimes it's good, sometimes not so good. But nothing stays the same. That is the one constant. Change.
MAB
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