DRUMMER CAFE

One thing Jimmy doesn't acknowledge in his essay is that for many people - perhaps most of the American population - music is viewed the same as deodorant, oven cleaner, etc.  It's a commodity, with no more significance than those other items.

Those of us participating on this board, by definition, care about music.  We wouldn't spend the time - whether amateur or professional - to learn to play an instrument if we didn't care.

Most people don't care about music.  It's a disposable item to them.  If the general population judged music on its artistic merits, why would anyone buy a Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera CD when Chaka Khan is out there performing?  If artistic merit and musical skills were the criteria most Americans used to determine their "favorite" music, why would anyone buy a Guns 'N' Roses CD when King Crimson is out there?

(I keep referring to "Americans" as I don't know enough about the arts in other parts of the world to comment.  I will say that the Brazilian "pop" music that I hear on the radio - there's a big Brazilian community in my region - just kicks the hell out of the "pop" music of the U.S., in terms of harmonic sophistication, melodic integrity, and just plain "style."  IMHO, YMMV, etc.)

Until and unless the listeners change their attitudes, then the scope of what we musicians can do to improve the artistic climate in this country will be minimal at best.  Not to say that we shouldn't try - we absolutely should - but it's always going to be an uphill struggle.

I agree with James on this.  Most Americans think of music the same way I think about TV, in that it is something they use to pass time with while driving or whatever.  A sad truth....


I think it is up to the musicians to start playing better music.  I think more musicians should learn their craft.   I mean REALLY learn it!   I think we have to stop trying to get that deal with Capitol Records or whatever major label.   Music needs to be that tool that Americans want, background entertainment.  HOWEVER, it desperatly needs to regain the artistic integrity it used to have.  Music needs to rebirth itself as an artform.  Music is art first, entertainment is a distant second.  

Congress took measures years ago to eliminate what then had become a business practice commonly referred to as payola. In recent times concerns have been expressed that payola has returned in a much more subtle form. AFM (American Federation of Musicians, more commonly known as the "Musicians Union") President Lee issued a press release that includes a statement by the AFM and several of its coalition partners. Follow the link below to read the press release and statement.

None of this will change. The bottom line is the bottom line for these commercial radio staions. All they care about is ratings so they can maximize the amount of money they can charge sponsors for commercial time. The music in between the commercials is just filler, so each station is going to play the most watered-down popular, accessable music that falls into their format.

If you are interested in the pure artform of the music then you will have to listen to pure jazz (not that elevator jazz b.s.) or pure American blues. Forget about most commercial music. There is very little depth or integrity in this type of music. There are some exceptions though (Tommy Keene, Adam Schmitt), unfortunately most of these artists never see the light of day and are forced to sign with indies that are incapable of providing them with maximum exposure.