Future Giants

Cayocosta

I writing here to make clear that in my defense of artists and record companies against piracy, I’m not shilling for the RIAA or corporate interests; I’m just a musician and music-fan that tends to get pretty upset when I read so much careless rhetoric espousing piracy; or speculation regarding the future of the music-industry, written by individuals that obviously don’t know what they’re talking about.

Personally, if the music industry were to disappear tomorrow, my world would not be affected in the least; for I haven’t bought a record released after 1980 in more than 10 years. That’s not to say that I don’t buy records - I own over six-hundred - it’s just been a very long time since I’ve felt compelled to purchase new music.

I grew up listening to a wide variety of music (that appeared to be in a constant state of evolution); great music, from truly great artists. (The period from the mid 60’s to mid 70’s was a time of amazing musical diversity and creativity.) Unfortunately, in my opinion (and I’ve thought quite a bit about this) that all came to an end sometime in the late 70’s. (Although I’m not a fan of Elvis; it always seems to me to have coincided with his death.)

As such, my hope is that we’ll eventually experience a renaissance of sorts within popular-music - a new period of musical creativity, diversity and quality that rivals or possibly even exceeds that which came before. However, in my opinion this cannot take place without record companies in the classic sense; because, if for no other reason, music’s future visionaries in the style of Berry Gordy, John Hammond, George Martin, Ahmet Etrtegun, Jerry Wexler, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss – “behind the scenes” giants responsible for discovering and developing wonderful talent that otherwise may have never surfaced – will have no place.

Therefore, if I’m shilling for anything, it’s the return of great music.