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 Rand Bishop on -
Thank you for reading and I'm pleased you were moved. I try to stay positive - that's important in this difficult roller coaster of a biz. I steer clear of whiners at all cost.
Be Well and Thrive!
R
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Permalink Reply by Jimi Whitelaw on -
I couldnt agree more Rand. It really bothers me that more people can't appreciate the process of making a song a hit as much as they do the actual writing of one.
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Permalink Reply by Penny Campbell-Loewen on -
This has been a fantastic read...
Oh my, how tired I am of the negative folks who are forever talking negative about today's country... I agree it does not sound like it did in "my day" (grin)... But that does not mean I don't still love it... As far as Miss Swift goes... I think she is AMAZING... I'm not a fan of her voice but her writing is unbelievable for a young girl... I can't wait to see what kind of stuff she will be writing at age 20 and 30... I think of her as being the modern day Dolly... Not vocally, but with her writing skills and her BUSINESS skills. She comes off as a very balanced and grateful young lady, what's not to admire???
As far as the music being different than it was... Well all I've got to say is, I remember being 13, 14 years old and my dad complaining about the same thing... Only he was referring to acts like Tanya Tucker, Waylan, and Johnny Rodriquez, Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley... To him real country was, Jimmy Rogers, Kitty Wells, Roy Acuff... So this happens every generation or so... Its nothing new...
Rand... I've been reading your posts with a lot of interest...
When I see your name on something... I choose to read it, just to see what your opinion is...
Thanks
Penny
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Permalink Reply by Rand Bishop on
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Excellent perspective, Penny. To know that, generation after generation, there are those who drag their feet and long for the sounds of the past (usually forgetting that the great artists they grew up with probably broke some old rules as they carved new paths, and that there was plenty of mediocre, forgettable music, too).
I appreciate you noticing my name and my opinions. I seem to be a bit compulsive about sharing my POV. As I'm celebrating my 40th year as a professional in this biz, I do feel I have some legitimate experience to lean on. I've had more opportunities than most, and thus have made many more mistakes than most as well.
I thrive on these discussions and hope that we all learn something in the process of tossing our ideas back and forth.
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Permalink Reply by MArc-Alan Barnette on -
Amen My Brotha Rand.
I have seen it everywhere on songwriter related sites. It is the biggest "Can't Do" attitude I have ever seen. But so many of these people are from outside of Nashville, and seem to have such animosity built up we have our own description, "Nash Bashers."
You and I both know that new music gets out there all the time and magic happens all the time. I wish more could see that but what can you do. I am on your side on this. STOP THE WHINING PEOPLE!
MAB
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Permalink Reply by Sue Rarick on -
I agree Rand about being positive. I am reminded of two painters at the turn of the last century. One an American and the other from the Nederlands. One was that ages equivilant of a super star and the other only sold 2 paintings his entire life... and they were to his brother. Today the the super stars highest paid sculpture has sold for around 11-12 million.... The unknown artist has 7 of the all time paintings in price with the top one sold for over 100 million. They were Frederick Remington and Vincent Van Gogh.
My long way around point being that in todays atmosphere nobody can predict what 5 or 10 years down the road will bring. So it is best to smile, do the best you can do and not waste time whining about the woulda, coulda, shoulda's.
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