Wes,
I looked at your list of artists. About three I recognize from seeing them around here. These are not people with deals. These are all people who are being produced by hit writers or producers, people who have been on major tours with people like Miranda Lambert, and Lady A. This is sort of an advertisement in the press to PRESENT them for record deals. Part of the hype of artists these days. They all have stuff on You Tube, and many, are building fan bases by constant touring. If they can achieve significant numbers with crowds and merchandise sales, and have a significant viral presence, they might get some attention from industry higher ups. These are all the types of people that were at the recent COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR, being walked around from booth to booth, table to table, and feted as the "next big things" coming out.
These kinds of lists, put on the Internet, in major trade magazines, getting reviews around the country, testing in marketplaces, are all part of the PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS for these artists. Most of them are in some form of "development deal', which means they are being promoted by those hit writers, established artists and writers, managers, it's almost a "vote for me" kind of things you are seeing in the political campaigns. Which is what about 90% of the music business has to do with.
PURE POLITICS.
They kind of all have the "regular artist LOOKS", about them, the rugged "street kid" trying to tie in hip hop, the married duo, the hot girl trio (you recently might have seen the video of "FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM" where a trio of girls is doing one of my songs, the same things) the hot looking guys, young looking girls, etc. They are all pretty much the same.
So I wish them luck. There are literally MILLIONS of them. Of this list, and hundreds like it, one or two will probably get a deal, the "My Church" girl probably has one if she is on the charts. Most will dissappear or continue their own career path, on I Tunes, Reverbnation and by touring in their areas or regions.
So while I understand where you might draw conclusions that the "bro-country" or other trends are being established by these types of artists, they are really not. They are just "trial balloons" being floated out there by publicity firms, private investors and in some cases the record companies themselves seeing if they should get more involved with the artists. They see what catches on with the public. Most don't. It is called "GAINING TRACTION." Hard to do.
So while I understand where you might draw conclusions that the "bro-country" or other trends are being established by these types of artists, they are really not. They are just "trial balloons" being floated out there by publicity firms, private investors and in some cases the record companies themselves seeing if they should get more involved with the artists. They see what catches on with the public. Most don't. It is called "GAINING TRACTION." Hard to do.
It's all political manuvering. But people actually DO believe in them and are promoting. They do have shots at things. But until they get chart success, and have a LOT of fans, are they really going to get a substantial investment from the industry in the way of time or money. And get this. In order to GET substantial time and money from the industry, they are NOT GOING TO GET CHART SUCCESS!
Talk about a conundrum. Ever heard that before?
"How do you get a job without experience?"
"How do you get experience without a JOB?"
"How do you get a job without experience?"
"How do you get experience without a JOB?"
Tough business ain't it?
MAB
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