NHT Blog

This Thursday is the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.  Some people will blog about what they’re thankful for.  Others will post about how we should be thankful the whole year through and not just that one Thursday in late November (and I agree with that).

But what about musicians?  What about songwriters and performers?  What’s the approach there?

This week – today in particular – the meteorologists are busy scaring everyone into home improvement stores, scurrying to buy snow shovels, getting their snow throwers tuned up, and generally battening down the hatches.  Hopefully the musicians and songwriters are pursuing their instruments and writing devices, respectively, with the same fervor.

Most people are familiar with “Just Do It” as Nike’s tagline.  Many years ago there was “Just Say No To Drugs,” which was a national campaign to keep kids ‘on the right track.’  These phrases roll off your tongue with great familiarity.  But how about everyday phrases, such as, “Yes, I’ll do it,” or “No, I’m not available,” or “I’m checking but will get back to you”?

Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States.  While we’re still two years away from voters going to the polls to determine a new president, the hot seat this time is for an office such as state attorney general or even governor.  In the case of the latter, the two main candidates here in Florida have more than once gone toe-to-toe on stage in the lead-up to November 4th.

There’s a scene in the 2005 movie “The Wedding Crashers” when Jeremy Grey (played by Vince Vaughn) looks at John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and says with frustration, “A friend in need is a pest.”  In the music business, not only do you not want to be known as a pest, but it’s especially important to keep in mind when you consider that the person you are trying to get something from likely isn’t even your friend

So, the nominees have been announced for the next Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class.  With that, media, fans, and perhaps even some “what about me?” artists are all having their say.  I should’ve realized when I recently began this blog that, as a result, I, as a music industry professional would be required by internet law to weigh in on a topic like this too.  Yes, there is some wit in my tone there, but I’m not trying to be funny when I state what follows.

In 1989 there was “a Spike Lee joint” called “Do The Right Thing.”  While only its director might be recalled rather than its stars, the title still resonates some 25 years later.  In particular, there is a ‘do the right thing’ application in the music business.

What the world needs now, is, well, okay, yes, Burt Bacharach, Diana Ross, et al, what the world needs now, is love, sweet love.  But moreover, what the world needs now is more listening rooms.

I am amazed at the singers I come across that almost expect, if not demand, to be paid to sing the national anthem.

I guess it’s because they’re too busy looking around for who’s going to pay them that they don’t notice the long line of people behind them waiting for the opportunity to gladly hold the mic and belt out “and the rockets’ red glare” simply for the exposure.