There And Back (Part VII)

Before I go further, I think that I should back up a bit and talk about a contributor to the current state of popular music that may not have been considered, and that is the music merger. When ownership of a record company changes, so too can the names of those who run it. Also, artist rosters can often change as some companies will chose to trim them in order to make the new company more profitable. And, there may also be a change in musical direction, after acquisition.

Have you ever wondered what happened to a very popular artist or band, who seemed to disappear right after their most recent success? I'm not talking one hit wonders. I'm talking artists who had a track record. It's quite possible that a change in ownership of their recording entity may have been the culprit. Sometimes, even a proven performer may refuse to sign on with their company's new parent, and may decide to shop their music elsewhere. That is, at least if there aren't any clauses in there contract that prohibits them from recording or signing with another company for a prolonged period of time.

A string of music industry mergers form a list that is too numerous to mention. It has been my contention that certain business decisions that go back to at least the mid to late 1980s right up to the present are at play here. That possibly, the current sound of the music market place actually began with MCA's purchase of Motwon in 1988 and Sony's purchase of Columbia in 1989, and has culminated, so far with Universal's 2012 acquisition of EMI .

This is not to say that I think that these mergers or any others that took place through the 1990s on into the 21st century are inherently evil. No. The music business is a business like any other business. But, it's also a business unlike any other business. The aesthetic of artistry is always ever present. When that aesthetic is over looked in favor of "watching the bottom line," then we become in danger of losing not only a goodly part of our culture but also our heritage. Whole generations could lose sight of what real music is or how it is made, as it has continued to be replaced by an ever more disposable sound.

Fortunately, the end of the 1990s brought with it, new opportunities for recording artists of every ilk. Global access is now readily available to any songwriter or musician with a dream, some talent, and the will and desire to make something happen.