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Nashville Music Whiners?
Here’s my question. Is this website Nashville Music Pros, or is it Nashville Music Whiners?
For this last two weeks, I’ve logged into the Tuesday Morning Chats. And, while there are certainly some enthusiastic comments coming through, the preponderance of what I’m seeing are complaints – particularly about the creative state of the music-biz.
“Nobody is writing great melodies anymore.” “Rap isn’t music.” “Why does Jay Z have to ruin a perfectly good Cold Play song?” “Taylor Swift is a joke.” These are not exact quotes, but typical examples of the mood of these discussions.
We are all trying to hang on to some semblance of sanity and solvency in a business that, in the next two to five years, will not even vaguely resemble the industry to which we’ve all dedicated our creative and professional lives (some of us for decades). More corner offices in high-rise buildings will darken. More major record companies will shutter up. We will have to ride it out, find creative ways to continue doing the things we’ve been privileged to do, or seek other means of self-expression and livelihood.
In my opinion, social/professional networks like NMP should function for the purpose of sharing information and opportunities to help its membership survive and succeed. I’d like to have a spirited discussion with my peers, and log off of the Tuesday Morning Chat feeling energized and encouraged. That would be a great way to invigorate my week.
But, to get on there and observe a bunch of professionals kvetching about things over which they have no control is enervating and infuriating.
Great melodies? Listen to Panic at the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, Nada Surf. Rap and hip-hop started as indie music two decades ago. Now those genres are the mainstream, because their message connects with millions of music fans (yes, music fans). Why not applaud the rock and rap cultures collaborating in the form of Cold Play and Jay Z? Taylor Swift writes really good songs and makes smart records that appeal directly to her core audience. Sure, she ain’t no Martina McBride. But she’s pumping millions into Music Row, and that’s good for every single one of us, whether you think she can sing or not.
Let’s curb the whining, my fellow Nashville Music Pros. We are all fortunate to be in this business. Every one of us should be grateful for every minute we get to do what we love to do. And, if we stop loving doing it, let’s just move on – without complaining.
Rand Bishop
Songwriter/producer/author Makin’ Stuff Up – secrets of song-craft and survival in the music-biz
For this last two weeks, I’ve logged into the Tuesday Morning Chats. And, while there are certainly some enthusiastic comments coming through, the preponderance of what I’m seeing are complaints – particularly about the creative state of the music-biz.
“Nobody is writing great melodies anymore.” “Rap isn’t music.” “Why does Jay Z have to ruin a perfectly good Cold Play song?” “Taylor Swift is a joke.” These are not exact quotes, but typical examples of the mood of these discussions.
We are all trying to hang on to some semblance of sanity and solvency in a business that, in the next two to five years, will not even vaguely resemble the industry to which we’ve all dedicated our creative and professional lives (some of us for decades). More corner offices in high-rise buildings will darken. More major record companies will shutter up. We will have to ride it out, find creative ways to continue doing the things we’ve been privileged to do, or seek other means of self-expression and livelihood.
In my opinion, social/professional networks like NMP should function for the purpose of sharing information and opportunities to help its membership survive and succeed. I’d like to have a spirited discussion with my peers, and log off of the Tuesday Morning Chat feeling energized and encouraged. That would be a great way to invigorate my week.
But, to get on there and observe a bunch of professionals kvetching about things over which they have no control is enervating and infuriating.
Great melodies? Listen to Panic at the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, Nada Surf. Rap and hip-hop started as indie music two decades ago. Now those genres are the mainstream, because their message connects with millions of music fans (yes, music fans). Why not applaud the rock and rap cultures collaborating in the form of Cold Play and Jay Z? Taylor Swift writes really good songs and makes smart records that appeal directly to her core audience. Sure, she ain’t no Martina McBride. But she’s pumping millions into Music Row, and that’s good for every single one of us, whether you think she can sing or not.
Let’s curb the whining, my fellow Nashville Music Pros. We are all fortunate to be in this business. Every one of us should be grateful for every minute we get to do what we love to do. And, if we stop loving doing it, let’s just move on – without complaining.
Rand Bishop
Songwriter/producer/author Makin’ Stuff Up – secrets of song-craft and survival in the music-biz
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on -
Rand,
I understand your feelings and observations completely. My intent for the Tuesday Morning Chat is just as you stated, "function for the purpose of sharing information and opportunities to help our membership survive and succeed." I know you left the chat at a certain point but I did try to bring the discussion back around to promoting diverse styles of music within the Nashville music community.
Can I stop folks from getting on there and complaining? No.
Can I keep them from berating Taylor Swift or RAP music? No.
I do however try to keep the discussion on topic and as constructive as possible.
Unfortunately, many have been hurt or disillusioned by the state of our industry and sometimes feel that NMP is a place to vent. I don't think they are really ungrateful for the opportunities they have had in the business but they may have a hard time understanding why it is changing so, or why certain performers or styles are elevated in our culture. Personally, I don't feel I can fully understand how people feel on issues unless I hear the negative side as well as the positive, just as I have heard a bit of a negative from you. I guess I could shut all the complainers down but then we would have a chat room full of "feel-good, everything is hunky-dory" individuals and that is just not reality. I feel challenged by those who have a dim view of the industry. They help me think about ways to be better, to promote excellence, and to reach higher.
We also have to take into consideration that not everyone in the chat has reached the same level of professionalism or gratefulness that many share.
I just wanted to state that the purpose of everything here at NMP is meant to build up and not tear down. Even if it gets negative at times.
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Permalink Reply by Jim Dineen on
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Me too.
I mean I want Steve to kiss you both.
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Permalink Reply by Rand Bishop on -
All good points, Bret. But, at the end of the day, you set the tone.
I've unloaded boxcars, driven L.A. as a currier, worked for the Census and made cold calls as a salesman. All I can say is I'm grateful every time I get the opportunity to make stuff up and record. We ain't layin' bricks, kids. Suck it up, put a grin on and enjoy. We have no idea how long we're gonna have this privilege.
We've all been "hurt or disillusioned" by this industry many times over. That goes with the territory. So the tendency is for us all to get together and commiserate. But, honestly, I could belly up to any bar in town and join a bunch of guys talkin' the same trash.
Not that there isn't room for constructive criticism and discussion about difficult stuff. I certainly don't expect you to make sure the chat room is full of "feel-good hunky-dory (one of my favorite words, BTW)."
The key word is "constructive." If a conversation is simply for venting, then I don't think it can be constructive. Sure, we all have things about this industry we'd like to change. I have my own musical preferences and taste. And I love to vent as much as the next guy.
But, when a discussion is about diversity in our musical community, to spend ten minutes slamming a viable genre (one that has little to do with Nashville), while ignoring any efforts to put the discussion on a more positive track is, once again, not constructive.
When I think about the diverse nature of the Nashville music scene, I think of how we were once perceived as being strictly country, Christian and bluegrass. Now we're home to international rock successes like Kings of Leon, 3 Doors Down and Paramour. Our studios attract Kid Rock and Robert Plant, Jewel and Joan Osborne. The greatest songwriters in nearly every genre of music live here, alongside Sheryl Crow and Kelly Clarkson. That shows huge growth in the diversity of our music scene. And, we should be proud of that.
Regarding Taylor Swift -- we forget that weak singers have found huge pop success for at least 40 years. Remember Fabian? the Beau Brummels? Helen Reddy? Paul Simon? Carol King? the late Terry Kath?... to name a few - those artists seldom hit a note. I only wish we could pitch-correct those old vocal performances now. We can sit around and resent the success of a gangly teenager, or we can try to understand and appreciate that Taylor, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban are keeping Music Row's lights lit.
Success to you and all the members of NMP,
Rand Bishop
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Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on
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Rand,
I don't think I was setting the tone for slamming a genre of music but when there are 20-30 people interjecting comments in and around my calls for opinions on musical diversity, maybe my efforts were lost in the shufrfle. I do agree that people should be more constructive. I think I made a response to the RAP slams in effect to say, "as an expression, RAP should be considered music." Now if you took that as me setting a tone for whining, then I accept it.
And your statement -
"When I think about the diverse nature of the Nashville music scene, I think of how we were once perceived as being strictly country, Christian and bluegrass. Now we're home to international rock successes like Kings of Leon, 3 Doors Down and Paramour. Our studios attract Kid Rock and Robert Plant, Jewel and Joan Osborne. The greatest songwriters in nearly every genre of music live here, alongside Sheryl Crow and Kelly Clarkson. That shows huge growth in the diversity of our music scene. And, we should be proud of that."
- is precisely what I wanted the conversation this morning to be about. And it did go on around all the other stuff that typically happens in a chat situation.
I mean, for goodness sake, I was throwing out question after question about hip-hop, latino music, putting different artists together, importance of music education to promote diversity... and more.
I guess, instead of leaving, I wish you would have thrown your thoughts (like the one above) into the conversation and help drown out the complainers.
At least we are having what I consider to be a constructive conversation now...
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Permalink Reply by Rand Bishop on
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Bret:
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply in any way that you set the tone for whining. Only, that you set the tone for NMP (and thus the chats in general).
Re: this morning, I tried to mention Kings of Leon, 3 Doors Down and Robert Plant/Allison Krauss, the traffic passing through our studios, the versatility of the musicians here. etc. but was ignored by the barrage of rap bashing. Yes, I noticed that you tried to get the train on the track at several points, and nobody seemed to want to take the bate.
I'm very grateful that you have provided such a fantastic forum for pros in this town to convene and toss ideas around. So, I'm only trying to remind my brothers and sisters that moanin' about anything ain't gonna get us anything but more to moan about. Some folks are into livin' in a pity party. I'm not, so I refuse to hang for it.
And, yes, this is indeed a constructive conversation.
All the best,
Rand
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Permalink Reply by Roy Vogt on -
I actually saw some of the best and most inspirational music I've seen in the last couple of years this week-The Nashville Jazz Orchestra, Victor Wooten, Rod McGaha and an absolutely smokin' Latin Band at the Limelight for the WMOT fundraiser. Not to overlook The Pat Coil Sextet (who are individually some of the busiest CCM session players around).
Couple that with Odair Assad (one of the finest guitarists in the world) courtesy of the Nashville Guitar Society.
I won't begrudge Taylor having her 15 minutes-it's just a little hard to yardstick that against a 14 year old Leann Rimes or a Shelby Lynne when she finally figured out who she was....
I just got a little spoiled hangin' out with the Old Guard like Chet, Jerry Reed, Mickey Newberry and recording Townes Van Zandt songs back in the day.
Granted Paul Simon can't sing any better than Taylor (nor can Bob Dylan, for that matter) but I can get my head around their depth as writers a little easier...
Not to whine ;)
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Permalink Reply by Rand Bishop on
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Roy:
These are exactly the kind of musicians that we should be incredibly proud to call part of our community.
Yes, Leann Rimes could sing rings around most any 14 year old - and those teen fans loved her just as much as Taylor's fans love her. Curb started releasing tapes from her mother's womb as I recall, because the fans would buy anything. At least Big Machine hasn't stooped to that level.
And no one I'm sure would expect Ms. Swift to write anything as substantial as Paul Simon or Dylan (who I think was a pretty remarkable folk singer in his early days - now he's a parody of himself). But, the girl writes songs that connect with her audience truthfully and with genuine emotion. And, we need to keep those young fans coming into our market. Taylor's an easy target. Anybody who is that successful with such limited natural abilities is bound to receive some heavy sniper fire.
Thanks so much for pointing out some of the best that Nashville has to offer, and for curbing the whining.
Rand
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Permalink Reply by Renee Martin on -
Taylor is an incredible songwriter. She wrote Love Story all by herself, and it is a masterpiece, lyrically and musically. I was blown away the first time I saw the video and immediately googled it to see if it was a co-write. Not! I wish I'd have written a song that clever. I am proud of her, and although she is not a singer's singer, she is cute, fun, stylish and a positive role model for my nieces (who also sing) and listen to everything. I was happy to turn them on to Taylor, because they identified with her. They are the ones downloading iTunes, and I would much rather have them downloading Taylor's tunes than some of the inappropriate lyrical content that they already have on their iPods, unfortunately. An aunt can only do so much.
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Permalink Reply by Myrus Jones on -
And not to bring Taylor down in ANY way (there aren't many hardworking youngsters like her)...but the songs that she does work with her co-write Liz Rose are amazing too. Liz has really captured a sound that we will look back on in the future and go hmmm those songs were honest, clever, refreshing, creative, and connected with MILLIONS of people. It's good to see that happening here, because Taylor could just as easily go write with the "Writing Camps" out in L.A. vs. Still Working Music here in Nashville. It makes me smile to know that her loyalty remains after selling 3x platinum. Taylor is going to develop into a Legend if she keeps honing and being developed by that crew. Let's just hope we don't scare her away with our music snobbery! Great post Rand. I am definitely looking forward to hearing your seminar tomorrow.
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Permalink Reply by Rand Bishop on
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MJ:
Liz Rose is a Music Row treasure. I've known her for 10 years and adore her. Writing with a young talent like Taylor (or any other burgeoning, bubbling-under kid with stars in their eyes) is something I love to do, too.
After having been a song scribe for more than 40 years now, it's hard for me to find ideas that seem fresh and get the ol' blood circulatin'. But, a fresh face on the scene isn't jaded and, to him or her, every idea seems fresh.
To get creative with a kid who has so much to look forward to takes me back to my late teens and early 20's when I thought I was bullet proof. Then, using my own sense memory, hopefully I can help the young artist frame those ideas in such a way that they might have a better chance of breaking through in the real world. That's I think what Liz has done many times over with Taylor. Hurray for Liz! She deserves all her success, big time!
Rand -
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