I believe that they r just hopping on the bandwagon, like a lot of people out there. I think that if there is a contract then they R covering their butts in some way. I just had 2 deal with this subject my self. Work wanted 2 charge me 2000.00 $ 4 a few missed days. I quit that day.

ps. I believe middlemen r demons, but they do play a role in society.

sincerely, Holly

I recently went to the EAT-M conference in Las Vegas, Nevada to check out what the "music" business is up to. Also, to educate myself on my own musical experience (my cd). I felt very overwhelmed by the (four) president (of the labels) that were there....sitting there at a table....like military marching inductees, slowly people were walking out. I knew the moment I walked into the room, they were interested in me...of course I sat in the very back row...to check them out. I had a very bad vibe from the point of entry...sitting there telling lies about what the consolidation of the labels will do for the artists. I then realized independent label is for me, with a very good producer, four who are interested in me. I really feel sad to the fact that....remember days of old, when natural "raw" guarana was in, and all musicians got together recorded and felt a great DEAL of accomplishment....like their own victory award to be able to expel what the soul was offering. I am back home now, I have one more venture and I feel that this is the major thing of all, personally...I will ride to the top of the mountain without broken wings, i will conquer all negative things and one word to the wise at soul...be true to thine self, and know to maintain whole...is to be independent of your music, go independent and educate yourself to the truth....your soul knows no lies....realize it....energize it...and it shall show you the truth of making it at the top of the mountain where you can make a foundation of honesty there you will be free. And to the rest of those still caught in a web....make your own. In finality....other things at the EAT-m was very informative and taught at great lengths all the professionalism and business to be had, but U, individually must be the person with the steps....to take you forward you can't stand still.!!!

Sincerely,
SingMia

"Do Middlemen ever sleep?"...Eye'm 1dering if they'll ever wake up! Even during daylight hours, sleepwalking down the route of all evil, they fail 2 real-ize true power lies not with the CONtract, but with PROduction, or the ability 2 cre8. Non-cre8ing record xecs have the power they have right now bcuz artists r b ing CONvinced of their own inSIGNificance if they r not "signed", and as CONsumers, we r paying 4 that power trip. Things will CONtinue down this road until we uni-versally seek and mbrace the Truth: Coming from within, one can never b without true power...2 re-ly on another is 2 literally lie again. When this Truth dawns, record xecs will b 4ced 2 face the music one last time.

~Terri

No, they don't. Business people will always scramble to make money in any human context. The point is: music; the essence of music and of all art, has nothing whatsoever to do with making money, any more than love has anything to do with making money. Confusion about this simple truth leads to bad art, frustrated artists and misguided business people.

Good question, record execs will never change because they r driven by the temporary power of money. Artists need 2 get educated b4 they step n2 the business. They need 2 know where they stand b4 they put their money and professional musical lives on the line.

Apparently not. We live in a parasitic culture in which information and access(rather than materials and products) are at a premium. The talent has always been there, it's just that parasites need to create a false hierarchy in order to make their information seem more attractive than everyone else's. I'm not only not surprised that they're on the net, I've no doubt that there will be millions pocketed (wrong pockets no less) as a result of this development.

What insults me is that middle people usually trade in hype. More often than not they're the gimmick mongers and the fad creators. They ride the wave of a talented artist's plastic coated success under the auspices of making their "talent" stars--when really they just own stock in plastic. Not only do they create a false relationship between the artists and their art, but they perpetuate a perversion that has expanded exponentially throughout the decades between artists and their audiences. I often wonder if the average consumer would know how to appreciate an artist without the plastic fantastic glimmer, coating and shine they come so often wrapped in lately. Every once in a while I'm amazed to discover that there are still true lovers of basic art and talent out there, and that there are still true artist who refuse to sell out.

The point: Artists and audiences ought to not only beware, but be fair and support the real by keeping it real. The middle would fall out and we could enjoy true talent without intervention or distraction. More importantly the artist would get the full appreciation he or she deserves for his or her talent.

Rac Lv