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Stop Bitching (About Everything) 41
artists and that the artists don’t make any money. Well, most of the
time, neither do the labels on that particular artist. There are more
failures every year than there are successes. It’s just the successes
pay really well. So, I would be doing everything in my power to go
out there and be a success.
Why Bands Need to Stop Bitching
About Venues
Wade Sutton, Rocket to the Stars
I am writing this article fully aware of how likely it is that the
comment section below will turn into a blood bath. This is a very
touchy subject with a lot of singers and bands and I’m certain some
as hostile and overly critical will see my brutal honesty. But those
that know me well are well aware that I am extremely supportive
of artists and want to see them succeed.
Readers should also keep in mind that I have personal experience
when it comes to nearly every angle of the issue at hand. I’ve
been a part of shows in which the venues did nothing to promote
what we had going on. I’ve headed up promotions for shows,
including Rocket’s own artist development competition. I have
asked questions of owners and operators of venues as well as professional
promoters. And during nearly two decades working as
a radio journalist, I have witnessed how various types of legislation
and the economy have harmed the very restaurants and bars
many of you want to play.
Got all that? This is really long but, if you stick with me, you
might learn something.
Saxophonist Dave Goldberg got a lot of attention for an open
letter he wrote a while back to operators of venues that host live
music. The letter was Goldberg’s way of sounding off against venues
not paying artists as much money as they feel they deserve.
The text, while not hostile in nature, was extremely misguided
and managed to ignite another round of firestorms by similarly
misguided artists. It was missing a lot of important information