Artist Co-Writes Feed Songwriter Slump
Everyone knows the music business is going through a downturn, but an article in the Tennessean shows just how hard it is hitting songwriters.
NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison tells the newspaper that the number of Nashville songwriters making a living from their craft has dropped a drastic 75% in the last five years. Essentially, the songwriting middle class is now non-existent.
A major factor contributing to this songwriter slump is the popularity of artist co-writes. The lack of singers cutting outside songs is partially fueled by the decline in music sales and the resulting decline in mechanical income for the artist. Critics suggest this trend has had a negative effect on the quality of songs coming out of Nashville.
Among those who talked to the paper about the topic are songwriter Liz Rose, BMI Nashville chief Jody Williams and UMPG Sr. VP Creative Kent Earls. More here.
This is something that I have known for some time, and thought much about, but it is even more sad to read about. I couldn’t agree more with the third paragraph; it seems that everything, (eventually) all boils down to “more money” – and it’s so sad to me that the results are devastating not only to the songwriters (and the people in their lives), but to the music as well. When I was young (and naive), I used to think that things such as true love, fine art, unique creativity, and great music were something larger than life, and couldn’t really be harmed or killed off by money, greed, and struggle, and no matter how hard times may be, those things will live on, and be as great as they ever were. I hate to say that it sinks in more and more every day that I was wrong, and every day seems to change just how wrong I was for the worse. Until things turn up, I can only hope, pray (especially for the great songwriters who fall victim to this), and have faith that one day to the world, the music will be worth more than the money.
FOR THE RECORD – If we walk in there, give our co-writers an idea, and contribute nothing else, we’ll happily take a smaller percentage of the royalties – out of respect for those who make a living off of songwriting alone.
I agree….Integrity will certainly outlast being a thief….Good for you…
KA