CHARBONNEAU – Artists struggle to make a living wage in Internet era

GONE ARE THE DAYS when the path to success was fairly direct for musicians. Graham Henderson, president of Music Canada recalls the way it used to be:

“In 1999, if you’ve got a record deal, and there were lots of record deals large and small, you had a legitimate shot at a career. You’d sell 50,000 records, get a gold record. And then you’ve got a lot of touring. And then there’s radio play. It all added up to an opportunity.” (Globe and Mail, September 22, 2019)

Country musician Mike Plume recalls his 15-year deal at a Nashville record label and the regular touring opportunities.

Back then he was able to earn a decent living. Royalties from the use of his music on TV shows such as Dawson’s Creek further supplemented his income. “It was a nifty little chunk of change that came in. It made life a little easier for a couple of months,” Plume said.

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David Charbonneau is a retired TRU electronics instructor who hosts a blog at http://www.eyeviewkamloops.wordpress.com.