Thursday, May 31, 2012

An Outrage!

This is crazy folks...

Today on Facebook Chefjimi Patricola the self described Creative Director, Creative Designer, Cook & Bottle Washer for Blues411 alerted us that Chicago Jazz Magazine is taking a 45% commission from all artist merchandise sales.

Sorry, that is NOT supposed to say 4.5%...it is 45%!!! Outrageous indeed.

The subject became intense on Facebook with everyone agreeing it is highway robbery. Most also agreed that an 80-20 split in favor of the artists is fair if they are not supplying the people to work the booths.

Chefjimi has already posted his thoughts there and now I am doing so here to continue spreading the word.

We all know blues musicians do not make a ton of money and have to struggle to make ends meet. The cost of producing CDs is not cheap and to succeed you must sell in the $15-$20 range. Not much room for someone to stick their hand in your pocket and remove almost half the money you worked so hard to make.

What can be done about this?

Most artists are hard-pressed to speak up for fear they will be blacklisted from events around the country. It is the fans who need to speak up in their behalf...tell the promoters it is wrong. Start by going to the Chicago Jazz Magazine website and leaving a comment for the CEO.

If enough people do this, maybe the trend will come back to the artists.

Post this information on your website, on your Facebook page, on your Twitter.

If enough people do this, maybe the trend will come back to the artists.

If you are going to the Chicago Blues festival, I suggest you do not buy any artist mechandise from the vendors...go to the artist website and buy it there. If enough people do this, maybe the promoters will get the point.

Today, I sent an invite to Mr. Jeffers, the CEO to call in on Monday to discuss this situation. If I hear back and he agrees, I will certainly let y'all know.

This is important and the word must be spread...so go out and sow some change!

7 comments:

chefjimi said...

Thank you Vinny, but your efforts here and on FaceBook have helped tremendously.
We can all make a difference, if we truly do love these artists and their music then we must be the ones who take a stand on this intolerable act of usury policies.
Let's all band together - spread the word - and reclaim what is rightfully the artists share.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Chefjimi...as we both do this for love above anything else it makes sense to join this campaign. Thank you for bringing it to my (and the world's attention).
Everyone working together can get this made right.

Anonymous said...

The word is spreading like wildfire on Facebook! Good job, you two! This is thievery, plain and simple. Artists should not turn their CDs over to those Chicago Jazz Magazine people, and fans should not buy from them. Ask the musicians privately if you can buy their CDs. Or buy from the Windy City Blues Society table at the festival. Spread the word! Deb Lubin

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

We are Deb and will continue to do so

Anonymous said...

I work so hard for my money. The cost of gas to get to a venue, keeping vehicles & instruments maintained, the cost of promotions, band mates, gear, rooms..I was pretty stunned to see it myself and yes, we are afraid of being black listed. Horribly sad to see, horribly sad! Are they not making enough money off of all their ticket sales & vendor fees? CAGuitarGirl

Travis Cody said...

Nearly half??? To magazine people??? For stuff the artist made to promote himself and his music???

This kind of thing reminds me to search out an artist's website when I hear a tune on the radio. If I can buy it direct from them, I do that before I download it from anywhere else.

Thanks for spreading the word on this.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Travis - you for manning the booth the booth to sell someone else's works...incredible