Major Record Companies Support Celtic, for US

obviously
Time Warner releases more Celtic records than other 4 (sorry, EMI/Capitol and Sony don't)
Clannad
Loreena McKennitt

other companies, Green Linnet should be a major Celtic record brand for US
Celtic Soul
Wolfstone
Sileas
Tannahill Weavers

I'm all for anything which promotes Celtic music. However, with the rise of internet promotion and downloadable music, the 'major record label' business model is going to be in serious trouble in the next few years. More and more musicians are going to decide that they can make more money independently, without seeking a major label contract.

YOU SAID IT, gtrplr! I know it would have cost us 1000's to put our cd together. I know it is not the 'BEST' quality. But listening to it, sounds like someone is nextdoor playing. Not a lot of over production that loses something in the recording process. I have programs that are studio quality, I use them as little as I can. So, it does sound like we are in the next roon playin'.

Another thing Major Labels need to do is LISTEN to the listening audience!!!!! If they did, they would sell more albums. If I download something, and like what I have heard, I am going to buy the cd. I like the packaging that comes with albums! I guess that's the kid in me.....


Cheers

Preach on, brother!! A good example of this is the show "Nashville Star". Who did the public pick? The old guy with talent! I think the public's about fed up with no-tallent pop star 'wannabes' that get pushed on them by marketing. Pick almost any major city in the US (or the world for that matter) and try to find a station that's playing anything but crap. Celtic music? Not here, buddy. Cowboy music? Nobody listens to that. Jazz? Classical? Only on public radio. Folk? AWOL. A lot of people don't even realize there's music outside of MTV, which isn't even a music channel anymore. Choices. We'll give you choices. You want Brittany or Christina? 50-cent or Eminem? Make up your mind, we don't have all day.

That's why Highlander Radio is such a breath of fresh air.

I was very upset with Nashville Star. Natasha Valentine ( the 1950's looking girl short black, punky hair) Was AWESOME! The judges told her to go outside her 'box'. She did and the judges voted her off for doing that. That made me very upset. She is very talented.
I don't mind pop music. It has it's ups and downs. You just have to sift through so much garbage to get to it. American Idol, is good for that too. I think that everyone that has done an album because of that show has raised the bar back up. And they know where they came from and have not gotten the attitude to go with the stardom.


Cheers

was she a psychobilly chick doing country music?

I don't watch 'American Idol'. Or 'Nashville Star' for that matter. My wife watches on occasion, so I sorta know what's going on, but not really enough to comment. Having said that:

I began playing guitar when I was 7. I played professionally for 25 years. I still play (and get paid for it), although it is no longer my main source of income. But at age 51, with grey hair and a 44 inch waist, I have to face reality. Sony is not going to sign me to a recording contract. EMI is not knocking themselves out looking for my address. The only deal I'll ever sign with BMG is the one where I get 12 free CD's and only have to buy 1 more in the next year.

If I'm going to have a recording career, I'm going to have to do it independently. That means writing, singing, recording, designing, marketing, booking, promoting, and everything else. A few years ago this would be impossible. Now I can buy a multi-track digital recorder and equip my bedroom as a studio with mics and monitors for less than $1000. I can use my computer with free software to design the CD Cover. I can burn the CD master on that same computer. I can use that computer and the internet to market and promote my CD. I can book gigs on the net.

And that scares the big labels. When the musicians say "We don't need you, go away" they'll have no product to sell. They've gotten away with ripping off musicians for a long time, not to mention the public. Now the musicians have an alternative, and the corporations don't like it.

I'll stop ranting now. For now.

You know something I was thinking about: these major record labels and associations like the RIAA. Do they actually give something back to the community for all of that money they are making? Maybe like scholarships or a certain % to help musicians who are just learning or could use some extra lessons because they are not making a living from their music.

I did a search on the internet today looking for scholarships from the RIAA and I could find none!

Just a thought, you would think all of these radio stations and labels would want to support the people that actually make them so rich!

let me say some...
some Amateur local band, which don't have ANY records brand support, have to cost money to release their tape (not CD, it's mid-80)
now this'll be a lot easier, just rent a studio, make some jams, then make the songs into mp3, and then distribute for free

just try to discribe some indepedent local rock band how to release their "product" now and then

if I have money...
I'll invest a record company
which has branches on UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, US, Canada, Australia

then I'd like to play "British Invasion" again, like 80's, and sell Celtic music to all over the world

I am tired "so-called" pop, which tied with radio policy, that makes FM/AM, even XM, become nothing but junk
it happens not only in US, also in HK as well

hope there'll have a major music revolution, this'll happen real soon
then ALL THE TABLES WILL BE SURELY FLOPPED

was she a psychobilly chick doing country music?

YES!!!!

That is exactly what we ( BARDDAS) do! About 6 years ago I was in a goth/metal band and we were offered a deal. I read over it, and I was already doing everything they offered! It wold have taken some of the leg work off of me, but not for what they were wanting us to sigh to. NO WAY!
And the amount they were charging for recording an album....SHHHHEEEEEZZZZZ... Not for me.....

I would rather put out the stuff we're putting out and have total control. And put out what we know works, instead of what a marketing research group thinks will do well.

Artistic freedom. Amen. But for me, it's not just about control. I can play the music I want to play, record it, promote it, and if people like it, great. But at least it _can_ be heard, if I have enough ambition to make the attempt. With a record label, you can have all the ambition in the world, but if they don't think your music will sell, they won't even talk to you.

Good point., and very true....