If you know anything about the music business (and there are many in New Orleans and Louisiana who don’t) you know that the real money in music is derived from the song. Royalties are paid to the composers/songwriters, the performers and the publishers-and sometimes to anyone else who sticks his/her hand in the pie.
That’s the way most local musicians have been ripped off-they’ve given away the financial rights to their songs to someone (the recording engineer, the studio owner who recorded their tunes, etc.) who made a “deal” with them to record their music, promote it, or whatever for 50 percent (or sometimes a lot more) of their publishing. Note to local musicians: never sign anything over to anyone without consulting a first-class entertainment attorney. It doesn’t make any difference what anyone promises you. Get it in writing-handshake deals are dangerous. Educate yourself-read, check out the Internet, talk to people.
One ploy I’ve seen recently is to convince musicians to sign over their exclusive rights to their songs on compilations. Do you have it (in writing) that this compilation will not be sold? Even if it’s given away for promotion, you still should be assured that you still own the song, and that you still retain your rights to your work.
That being said, I’ve seen an excellent promotional use of local songs which should generate royalties. Just published is The Professor Longhair Collection, 19 transcriptions of Fess’ songs, including “Baldhead,” “Tipitina,” “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” and many more. This new music book has been published by Hal Leonard Corporation, the world leader in publishing music instruction books, videos and software; sheet music; and arrangements and orchestrations. The book is the brain-child of music publisher Don Williams, who has been working with the Longhair catalog for the past three years. It was transcribed and has an excellent biographical introduction by Josh Paxton.
This is probably the first time that our indigenous music has been elevated to the status of music that’s “worthy” of a serious transcription. For piano players who love New Orleans piano stylings, this is a fantastic accomplishment. And, it creates more value for the music-every time a book is sold, the Professor Longhair estate is paid.
According to Williams, “this is the first of many” books to be published by Hal Leonard. May we see many more, and may our musicians prosper, hopefully while they’re still alive!
Jimmy Mac, Stage Manager at the Polaroid Stage at Jazz Fest for many years, is promoting the New Orleans Balloon Extravaganza, a new festival to be held August 27-29 at his old stompin’ grounds, the New Orleans Fair Grounds. This sounds like a great way to spend a late-summer day-there will be a competition of 40 pilots of hot air balloons, selected for the competition from the Balloon Federation Association. Over 15 bands will perform over the weekend, and will include everyone from John Mooney to Kermit Ruffins to Terrance Simien, with food, crafts, kids’ activities, and-this is very cool-a New Orleans Musicians’ Barbecue Cook-Off. Knowing the participants the way I do (Kermit Ruffins, “Jumpin Johnny” Sansone, Herman Ernest, Rockin’ Jake and Brint Anderson) as total barbecumaniacs, this should be the barbecue spectacle of spectacles. Don’t miss it, as there will be some smokin’ music happening along with some primo meat smokin’ too. Kids under 12 are admitted free. Call 464-0520 for more info.
The 10th edition of the Louisiana Music Directory is currently in production. The LMD (as we affectionately call it around the OffBeat office) has become the “bible” of the Louisiana music industry and is used by musicians and music businesses alike. One of the reasons we publish the LMD is that we constantly get phone calls from people looking for musicians, or from musicians looking for someone in a specific part of the music business to help them. We publish the LMD as a free service to the musicians and music community in the state, and contrary to some popular belief, the LMD is not supported by grants or by any government agencies. Listings for anyone who lives in Louisiana and who is involved in music are totally free. And if you list your music business, band or group, you also get a free copy of the LMD mailed to you.
It’s a difficult task, keeping up with the (notoriously) mobile musician community. If you haven’t let us know your whereabouts in a while, it’s time to contact our office to make sure your listing gets into the 1999-2000 Louisiana Music Directory. You can send us information on-line at www.offbeat.com, email it to [email protected], obtain a form from last year’s LMD to make changes, or pick up a recent copy of OffBeat to get a listing form. Be sure and send all info to us (including email and web address) before August 15, 1999. Or call our LMD coordinator, Melissa Crory at 504-944-4300, Ext. 23 for more information.
The House of Blues will finally open a Foundation Room in New Orleans at the end of this year, according to Michael Grozier, General Manager. The Foundation Room is an integral part of the HOB locations in other cities; other Foundation Rooms exist in Las Vegas and at the Chicago locations. Money generated by memberships in The Foundation Rooms support the HOB’s educational programs the take music and art into public schools (did you know that more than 20,000 students from local public schools have visited the New Orleans HOB to date?). Look for an announcement from the local House of Blues on creating their new Foundation Room, and how you can join. The House of Blues is also taking a bold promotional step in presenting Al Green at the Saenger Theatre on Friday, August 13. This is the first time the local HOB has produced and promoted a local show at a venue other than the House of Blues itself. If it’s successful, we venture to guess that there’ll be more.
Congratulations to George Buck, who is celebrating 50 years in the record business on August 16. His record company is the oldest independent record label in the U.S. Mr. Buck is truly one of the great preservationists of traditional jazz in this country. Along with his wife Nina, he co-owns the Palm Court Jazz Café, where you can see, hear and purchase CDs and vinyl by many of the jazz artists he’s recorded over the years. Congratulations, George, may you have another 50!!
Finally, shame on our Louisiana legislators and our governor, who signed away musicians’ rights and are helping to destroy our culture, by signing Bill 909 that prohibits music in Jackson Square. Let’s see how long this bill lasts, since it also prohibits bands from marching past churches and hospitals on Mardi Gras. Wanna make any bets on whether it will be enforced?
