Interesting opinion piece on Digital Music News called ‘ Just Make Great Music? It Could Be the Worst Advice You’ll Ever Get…’

“For example, would that have been the best advice to give to pop success stories like LMFAO, Pitbull, Katy Perry, or Flo Rida?  Or, a manager like Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber), or someone like Jive founder Clive Calder (Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync)? No way.  This is a complex industry with different specialties and audiences, many of whom care little for deeply complex and meaningful music.  Judge however you want, but the pop stars catering to this crowd are distinct animals with specific goals, and their m.o. is more about creating catchy, mass market connections than toiling over redeeming, ‘good’ music.

“These artists aren’t challenging Mozart – or Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, deadmau5, Radiohead, or Bruce Springsteen.  It’s more about a hook, a feel-good moment.  Sure, you might be listening to one of their songs five years from now, but probably only for nostalgia or fun.  But right now, this is the furthest thing from a niche.

In fact, it’s the most-listened-to music in the world. The top 10 songs are Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen), Somebody That I Use To Know (Gotye), Payphone (Maroon 5), Die In Your Arme (Justin Bieber), Pitbull (Back In Time).

And yes, pop-driven careers typically go ‘poof’ after a period of years – a phenomenon that major labels deeply understand.  But if the game is played right, that’s a period of that features cash, endorsements, paid appearances, and other pop-driven benefits.  And then, goes away (and gets documented by TMZ).

But not always: amazingly, this musical candy can sometimes spawn long-term success.  Dish on Kenny G as much as you want, but he’s one of the longest-spanning, wealthiest artists alive.  Barring that longevity, a short stint can generate a one-hit wonder that gets played decades from now – on the radio, in clubs, at stadia – and generates a royalty stream that lasts a lifetime.  Or, it can return in a freakishly-campy celebration (ie, Rick Astley), or get re-celebrated in a genuinely nostalgic way (ie, insert 80s band here).  And, even the Beastie Boys – responsible for some of the greatest music in modern history – were panned as a mere shock-driven gimmick after Licensed to Ill.

Perhaps most surprising is that ‘pop’ as we’ve defined it has managed to survive the modern, digitally-democratized era.  Just last week, we found that radio-driven, sugary pop is not only clogging charts like BigChampagne’s Ultimate 100 and Billboard’s Hot 100, but also permeating the top-ranked songs on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube.  It’s the most popular stuff on all of these platforms, with little variation despite infinite choice and access.

It’s not ‘good,’ ‘great,’ or long-lasting material, but it’s still a meaningful and lucrative market in 2012.  No matter how despised by the rest of us.” (Digital Music News) 

News Update: Kings favorite Allen Stone remains independent but has announced that the Dave Matthews-helmed ATO Records will be licensing the record for a national release. His new single, “Sleep,” to radio and will release his self-titled album on July 31.

Allen Stone – Summer Tour Dates

6/14 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory w/He’s My Brother, She’s The New Limb
6/16 Los Angeles, CA Getty Center – Saturdays Off the 405 FREE SHOW
6/17 Napa, CA Uptown Theatre w/Mayer Hawthorne
6/30 Peshastin, WA Icicle Ridge Winery w/Stephen and Sergio
7/7 Mission Viejo, CA Lake Mission Viejo FREE SHOW
7/19 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre w/Al Green
7/20 Seattle, WA The Capitol Hill Block Party
7/21 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
7/22 Dover, DE Firefly Music Festival
7/25 New York, NY The Bowery Ballroom w/Elizabeth and The Catapult, Anthony Hall

Contact: bj.olin@mac.com

Call Me A Smash: Do you know the song “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson? It’s the track you hear on the radio 10 times a day that repeats the same three words over and over. It’s #1 on the iTunes Singles Chart and sold 300,000 copies this week. She was signed by manager Scooter Braun and Justin Bieber to Schoolboy Records/Interscope. Bruan also manages ‘The Wanted’ who are known for the song “Glad You Came”.

News Update: Zach has signed with Red Light Management (Dave Matthews, Alicia Keys) and just performed at CMA Music Fest in Nashville. His newest songs are posted here including the song “Heart’s Not Big Enough”, which was co-written by Zach, Derek Furhmann & Gregg Wattenberg (Train, Daughtry, Lifehouse)

Buzz Track: By Your Side

Since the time we featured singer-songwriter Zach Lockwood he has signed with Red Light for management and has been co-writing with some of the best songwriters. Last year, Zach also found himself sharing the stage with Randy Houser, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and David Nail in 2011. We’re expecting big things from this 22-year-old singer-songwriter who blends the honesty of modern country with the contagious energy of rock and roll.

Contact: info@zachlockwood.net

On The Radio: 93 Percent of Americans Still Listen to Broadcast Radio.  The tally shows that roughly 93 percent of Americans over the age of 12 – ie, 242.1 million users – tune into traditional, broadcast radio at least once a week.  The broader US population is now pushing past 313 million, with a substantial chunk (ie, approximately 15 percent or so) under the age of 12. (Digital Music News). The most possible explanation is convenience. You just turn the radio on. Internet based radio stations will be able to compete when it becomes user friendly with a simple click of a button.