Should 3 CEO's control all music?

[Tom Hendricks / Musea]

The main problem with the music industry is that 3 CEO's run it, they only promote teen pop, and music hasn't changed in 20 years. Time for a revolt in music like the one that started rock and roll. The TeXas Video Showdown, is a protest by musicians against those 3 CEO's. Support it or start your own protest.

Music has jumped the shark, been reduced to pop karaoke, hasn't changed in about 20 years, and most of those with talent have been marginalized out of a career. Why? Three men control it.

There are 3 record companies that control 80% of the business, Warners, Universal, Sony. Each has a CEO. That's 3 CEO's controlling the music industry. They make the music, distribute it, and then give themselves great reviews. 

Do you want 20 more years of teen pop run by 3 CEO's? Do you think 3 people should determine the fate of 80% of the music business? No of course not, but they do now. The 3 have made it clear,

We only support a generic pop sound. We only promote that type of music, and only for a few. (Swift, Beyonce, Bieber, Adele, Gaga, Perry, and the media flavor of the week.)

What else are they saying?

You play folk music? We don't do folk, so you are out of a career.
You play heavy metal? We don't do heavy metal, so you are out of a career.
You play religious music? We don't do religious music, so you are out of a career.
You play classic rock? We don't do classic rock, so you are out of a career.
You play classical music? We don't do classical music, so you are out of a career.
You play roots music? We don't do roots music, so you are out of a career.
You play music and you aren't a 20 something? We don't do your music. No career.
You play kid's music? We don't do kid's music, so you are out of a career.
You play jazz or big band? We don't do jazz or big band, so you are out of a career.
You play instrumentals? We don't do instrumentals, so you are out of a career.
You play old style soul, r & b, or rap? We don't do old style, so you are out of a career.
You play protest music? We of course never make waves, so you are out of a career.
You play in a new style, are innovative and leading the way? We don't do that ever!
You play ???. We don't do ???, so you are out of a career.
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Here's what they are saying loud and clear to musicians, and music lovers.

Musician: Doesn't matter how good you are. Quality just gets in the way of how we make money on generic music from a tiny handful of over produced, and over promoted 20 something, pop stars. AND

Music Lover: Doesn't matter what music you like. You'll have to search it out on the net, or some small club. You'll never hear your favorites on the radio stations we control, or in the media we own.


3 Execs advice to all marginalized musicians:

Try to find some small record company where you might make about minimum wage with no chance of real success and don't bother us, you don't fit the money making formula.

Then if one of you happens to have a hit, we'll buy the musician, or the record company, or distribute the record company - and you'll sign a legal web that promises the musician all, and gives them nothing. We have a long track record to prove it.
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My advice? Don't listen to them!

Rebel against this. When 3 people have that much control in music everything is wrong. Choose to do nothing, and you ruin not only the music industry, but just about everyone's chance at a career in music.

If Swift, Beyonce, Bieber, Adele, Gaga, and Perry, are as good as the press say they are, over and over and over, then they can stand some competition.

Time to change the music business to where it's built on talent not publicity. Can the worst video ever made help lead to a music revolution? It might. You vote thumbs up and help make it so = TeXas Video Showdown. (Musicians, you may also want to start your own protest in any way you like. The more, the better.)

Those reading this, if you know a great musician, I can predict that right now he's out of a career and making close to minimum wage no matter how good he is or how hard he works. Buying a CD or t-shirt won't help him. Support him by opening music up again so great talent has a chance. Vote for indie musicians.


Warners: Stephen Cooper, 68
Universal: Lucian Grange, 56
Sony: Doug Morris, 77

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZvMa2f33Wc

[paulsprawl]

Some interesting and legitimate ideas, but I am helped by people buying my recordings! That's how I get by and have for a long time. I don't need to make a lot of money to make good work, nor would it necessarily help.

[Bill]

paulsprawl wrote:
> Some interesting and legitimate ideas, but I am helped by people
> buying my recordings! That's how I get by and have for a long time. I
> don't need to make a lot of money to make good work, nor would it
> necessarily help.

Perhaps think along the lines of "Making the world a better place"?

[paulsprawl]

Can't think at all if my basic needs aren't met, right? Maybe 80% of the "music industry" money goes to corporations, but I know there's a lot that doesn't and can't get included in the calculation. A lot of that goes to the precariat, not the fat cats. I'm curious about this Dallas revolution.

[Tom Hendricks / Musea]

Paul, I understand how you feel. But remember this is not just about you.
Virtually every talented musician is out of a career, been marginalized, and had their lives ruined by this.
We can't turn our backs to this mess anymore than we can turn away from any massive injustice.
The arts count too. When was the last time you heard a protest song on mainstream radio?
So musicians have been silenced in every way unless you are generic teen pop.
This is no time for a head in the sand response. Save music, and you save a lot more than that.