One of the many music blogs I read is written by a guy named Bob Lefsetz. His rather insightful commentary about the state of the music industry keeps me coming back, although he has a colorful way of phrasing things (read: potty mouth). Recently, he attended a conference in Canada and sat through a presentation by Gene Simmons of KISS. Bob, on his blog, called it an unending sales pitch by a guy who can’t can’t give back to his fans. Gene, through someone more internet savvy, responded publicly, and then the producer of the conference got the two of them on stage together. Below is the entire video of the “debate”, and I use that term loosely, since it was neither civil, nor intellectual. My favorite part is when Lefsetz totally owns Simmons by asking him what KISS’s definition of success if with their next record and Gene is speechless. It happens around 26:33. Unfortunately, most of the video is Gene making fun of Bob with low blows and refusing to be a real person. Check it out, but be warned, there are plenty of f-bombs from both sides.
Which begs the question, what is your definition of success? Since this business is changing by the day, do you think being signed with a label is success? What about having a sold out tour? What about having throngs of fans begging for autographs? What about having paparazzi follow you everywhere? What about having one of your musical heroes say they like your stuff? Bob asked this very thing a few months back and here’s the list I came up with in response:
- All my income comes from music and is enough for Anna to stay home with our kids
- Live debt-free & own a house
- Leverage a team of people who work on my career (agent, manager, fans, etc)
- Have an act I respect say they like my music
Bonuses:
- Touring 6 months allows me to stay home the other 6 and work on new songs, videos, recordings, etc.
- Being playing on my favorite station, Lightning 100, as “an artist who lives in Nashville”, not just on the Local Lightning Spotlight
- Playing sold out shows every time I play
- Having an artist I respect want to collaborate with me
What’s your list?
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