Weird News Tonight (or Today!!!!!)

[GA Russell]

On 2/18/2025 at 10:48 AM, Ken Dryden said:

I have lost track of how many musicians whom I’ve interviewed who have quit making CDs because it is not worth the investment of time and money.

Ken, I'm surprised to hear this.

Years ago I saw Roger Moore tell Johnny Carson that when he was starting out, Noel Coward told him to take any acting job that became available; because an out-of-work actor isn't anything.

I would think that a jazz musician who annually released a new CD could use it as proof that he is still in the business.

[Ken Dryden]

I think Allen Lowe could best address this, but unless you have a label sign you and advance the costs of making the recording, they either have to raise the money themselves or use apps like GoFundMe. The one time I made a gift to support a musician who was planning a recording resulted in a CD that was never made. I wasn't mad, because he threw a liner note assignment my way and interviewed the artist for me, making my work rather easy.

I have been told more than once that "nobody's buying CDs" by artists, although I spend a few thousand dollars each year for ones that I don't get as promos.

 

[Kevin Bresnahan]

On 2/18/2025 at 10:48 AM, Ken Dryden said:

I have lost track of how many musicians whom I’ve interviewed who have quit making CDs because it is not worth the investment of time and money.

I've had several artists tell that they are stuck with piles of CDs these days because no one seems to be buying them. It was actually pretty sad because the guy had about 50 CDs of various titles he'd made over the years and I was the only one buying any from him that night. I do it mostly to support them because I know they aren't getting rich from what they're getting paid for the gig.

And FWIW, the artists that bring LPs don't seem to be selling them either, so it's not just CD that's the problem. I saw James Carter at Scullers and he had two LP titles with him and I think I saw one person buy one of them. He did sell quite a few CDs that night though.