I Hear Music, Partisan Music ( How the Grammys Contribute to Plummeting Record Sales )

National Review ^ | 02/13/2007 | Raymond Arroyo

[Grammy]

This is the first really good article I have seen on the problems with the music business. The execs have been going more and more political, and relinquishing authority/micromanaging. I know, that looks like an oxymoron. Allow me to explain.

Politics were clearly behind the nomination of Jimmy Carter for the spoken word album, and Al Gore being a presenter. The nominations of the DC's was also political. Many of the nominations are done by trade committees (hand picked producers, artists, label people etc of the genre)and not necessarily the general membership of the RIAA, so, like the MSM the bias shows.

The execs relinquish authority when they allow the artistry to appeal to the least common denominator. One who is classless, crude, rude and socially unacceptable is encouraged. No one will tell someone they have gone over the line anymore, resulting in many people like myself (mothers, grandmothers, civil people in general), refusing to purchase, or to allow the purchase of, any of that crap.

Additionally, you have the "bean counters" dictating what is "hot" now. We had a very talented artist we worked with and were told "Hat singers aren't selling now, make him a trio". He went on to produce 2 highly mediocre albums, neither of which even we would purchase.

The availability of decent music over the internet, with no label involvement, is what is causing the industry to die. I am in the music business, and I have not personally bought a CD in over 5 years.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

I'm sure ol' Bobby can't believe where the industry has gone either. He pretty much helped build it to it's former greatness in his lifetime, only to see the younger generation completely blow it in a few short years.

It's a shame.

[GSWarrior]

That sounds like it will be a great show.

While I have just about worn out my copy of Wishbones I haven't listended to Brokedown as much. That song first appeared on a Rod Picott CD...I think he cowrote it with Cleaves.

[wtc911]

HIDH SCHOOL MUSICAL was the year's best seller? Wow. I guess 11 year olds haven't figured how to steal music off the web yet.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

I believe this all started when the uber leftist MTV decided to "Take back the country" with that ridiculous "ROCK the VOTE" campaign. Their new priority is not to promote music, but to promote the Leftist agenda and persuade the younger generations to start dominating the elections with their Liberal Ideology.

In that respect, it has worked. There is a new generation of very political and liberal voters among the electorate. More than any other time in recent history.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

He was clearly being sarcastic on that one. I also LOVE Bob Dylan. He visited Viet Nam several times in support of our troops through USO shows. He also kept himself out of the anit-war rallies in the late 60's & early 70"s.

[Tokra]

Guilty as charged!

I guess I just saw the word insignificant and jumped to conclusions.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

As I wrote yesterday: Ya know,,, You can train a monkey to dance a jig in front of an organ grinder. And to collect money from passersby. Does that make the monkey a professional entertainer? No, the monkey's just a trained animal, like so many of today's stars.

[highlander_UW]

They have transformed the award into the SHAMMIES. I honestly wasn't aware it was on until the next day when I read of the results...glad I missed it.

[Joe Brower]

Interesting. I found this information in regards to allofmp3.com.

Your comments, please?

[Always Right]

Did anybody watch to make sure Shakira's lips were perfectly synched with the voice?

The were in sync and then some.

[Bitsy]

CUTE! euuuuuu! I was cuter than her two 10 minutes after I plopped out a 6 lb 8 oz baby boy. Gees!

[Always Right]

Unfortunately, she's forever grouped into that Britney Spears, Mandy Moore group, which is the furthest thing from what she is.

Well that is her own fault. Her last album was all about trying to outskank Britney. Christiana has always been way too talented to have to stoop to those levels. Britney on the other hand had to do it to help deflect the fact she is at best an average singer.

[SirLinksalot]

The Grammys now have too many catagories. About 10 years ago, they had awards for best single, best album, best group, and best solo act.

Actually....

They’ve been giving boatloads of Grammy’s for decades. Here are some categories that have been added over the years:

Best Polka Album - Added in 1986. Won this year by Jimmy Sturr for “Dance with me”. This guy has won TWELVE Grammys in this category including one tie in 1987.

Best (Musical) Album For Children - Added in 1959. Won this year by Dan Zanes for “Catch that Train!”

Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) - Added in 1963.

Etc. There have always been a staggering number of categories at the Grammys.

[reagan_fanatic]

The Grammys have come to epitomize the entertainment industry's slow but steady slide into the moral gutter.

I'm sure there were many a sore shoulder the day afterwards from the frenzied orgy of back-slapping.

[LM_Guy]

Sorry excuse for a TV program.

[lilylangtree]

Haven't bought a music CD in over 10 years, and haven't regretted it either.

[Elsie]

Why do you continue to hold back and not tell us what you REALLY think about today's music?

[Grammy]

MTV may have helped with both the decline of quality and the politicization of the music business, but it didn't start it. It started when "music" quit being the first priority and "business" took over.

[Grammy]

Exactly. Then the bean counters begin to treat ALL the talent like monkeys and the caliber of the industry slowly slides into the toilet.