Lp Garfield N.J

[docarroyo]

Nice Bongos I like the lighter hue of the wood. As far as the LP issue its the same arrangement with all products and companies they give you a few freebies in order to use your name and you have to agree to use thier products exclusively, Zildjian, Ludwig, guitar companys all of them do the same deal. The larger companies just give you discounts for the endorsement, total rip off. Martin Cohen is running his interest like all the other companies, as they said in the Godfather " its not personel its business". Im sorry to say thats how they all do it, the real thieves are the record lables, managers, and promoters not to mention the laywers. I have been around the music industry my entire life and have had to contribute to many collections for funerals of well known musicians. Most musicians have no retirement fund, and no medical insurance. Tite Curet died broke yet almost every Fania recording has at least one of his compositions on it. Arsenio Rodriguez died broke, Cachao lived very humbly for many years my friend Mark Diamond I dont even want to go there. I could go on but you guys know what I mean. How about the guys in the band not the front men but the horns, the rythem section, Work all day then play the music at night. We love what we do but shouldn't the musicians be compensated at least as well as the suits? My father recorded many 78's in the 40's and albums in the 50's the only royalties we get are for his compositions. It not just the latin music industry its the entire business. You have to have a trusted lawyer and accountant to handle the deals or you will get screwed. Before signing on the line make sure they take you out to dinner and kiss you first cause you gonna get F__ked, no question about it.

[Jerry Bembe]

I have learned a great deal here about the struggles of these famous musicians that end up dying broke. This is a true tragedy. I would like to ask a question on a positive note to learn from Leedy2.

Leedy2 has done quite well for himself. Can you please share with us any wise advice to benefit the musicians? I mean this in the most respectful fashion. Now that this problem is identified and agreed upon, it would be good to adress this issue in a positive fashion.

This advice from Leedy2 could help with reducing this exploitation of musicians.

[jorge]

For centuries we have heard many many life histories of outstanding musicians being exploited by the various economic forces prevalent during their lifetimes, this is nothing new. Whether the exploiting organization was European royalty, wealthy "benefactors", or unscrupulous promoters and record labels, the story of the great musician who may (or may not) reach financial success at some point during his or her career and winds up dying penniless and possibly forgotten has repeated itself countless times. Often there are other factors involved, including exploitation by recording companies, racism, punishment for political activism, and musicians' lack of business and legal skills, alcohol and other drug abuse problems, personality / psychological issues, health problems, plus a variety of other problems. Inadequate compensation for endorsing musical instrument companies is on the list, probably not the major factor in most cases.

In these times of wars and rapidly decline of the economy and disposable income, the question is how to prevent this kind of exploitation in the future. Musicians' unions and composers' guilds can help some for those who write songs and/or are making records and playing in high profile venues, but probably won't help much at the level many of us work at, playing folkloric and dance music in low budget venues. The general question of how musicians can avoid exploitation would be a good topic for a new thread, or several. JC, Leedy2, maybe you can kick it off based on your experiences and long term perspectives. Just remember, the whole digital intellectual property rights situation and the global economic decline are making things even more difficult for those building music careers now, la timba no es como ayer...

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR