The Business Model Is Dead

This just in...as of January 1, 2008 the business model for making, marketing, and distributing music is dead. It's not broken, it doesn't need a patch job, it is dead. Gone. Obsolete. Think black and white TV's, except that the old business model won't come back in forty years due to deep feelings of nostalgia. Who am I? Well I'm just sam Hell, and I only play in a young rock and roll band (www.samhellmusic.com). But listen to me when I tell you this:

I AM TELLING YOU THE TRUTH FROM THE INSIDE.

I don't have a point to prove, nor do I have a vendetta. I don't stand to profit from this statement any more than I would if things were still continuing on as they have been since the mid 60's. I am in a band, a young band, and I am simply putting these thoughts on the table for anyone to sink their teeth into.

However, I do have one thing going for me...I am a man, a man with passion, and I am going to do something about where I find myself these days, playing in a band. There are things that can be done, and they will be. As we speak, visionaries around the world are steaming from the ears as they furiously invent solutions that will keep music coming. After all, that's what you and I and everyone else will be looking for at the end of the day. I sincerely doubt that the music business will end as long as there is money to be made, and there most certainly is. Let's be very clear:

Music isn't dead and the business of making money off of music isn't dead...but the model that it is currently based on, is.

Thanks to technology, there are more bands making more music than ever before. Ipods have room for tens of thousands of songs, Myspace didn't die to Facebook, and the dedicated website still has a place in every band's online presence. In the coming months I, sam Hell, intend to help artists solve THE problem of today: How to make a career out of making good and honest music in whatever form it takes, despite the fact that the people in charge of the business aren't completely sure what to do.

NOTE: If you're not interested or need quick money for future plans, go and play on a cruise ship. If not, continue reading.

As I said, plans are being laid to talk about these things in an entertaining, honest and helpful way. These plans will include the music community at every level, from songwriters to bands, managers to A&R people, and lawyers to accountants. As usual, patience rewards, and you'll have to have it if you're interested in hearing what I and many of my co-workers and friends have to say. Let's just end by stating a few things that this upcoming project will not be:

1) Accusatory towards major labels and successful business people.

2) The one-stop, cure-all answer for everyone.

3) Boring.

Hopefully you'll keep checking back in here to note our progress. Have a great night, and as Bono said in 1991, don't let the bastards grind you down.

sam Hell