Spring Break
Music Business Program partners with label
JOHN BARRETT
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Variety
Thanks to an increase in technology and a decrease in tangible album sales, the landscape of the music industry is in the midst of a radical metamorphosis.
Where: The Melting Point
Cost: Free
Bruce Burch, director of the University's Music Business Program said he has seen this change within the last five years, but thinks this generation of students will be able to master it.
"The beauty of it is that young people hold the future of the music industry in their hands now. Technology is driving the industry, and these guys were born with a computer in front of them," he said.
This is likely why many record companies are now targeting college students and organizations - evident in independent label New West Records' recent partnership with the University's Music Business Program.
"From an artist's standpoint, the days of waiting around for a record deal are over," said Derrick Southerland, a senior from Dacula majoring in consumer economics and a music business program participant. "You have to be more business-minded - it's really up to you to set up your game plan, how you're gonna market yourself and attract a fan base."
New West Records, founded by University alumnus George Fontaine Sr., has been home to household names such as Alice Cooper and Drive-By Truckers as well as a host of artists that are more under the radar.
The music business program is directly involved with promoting two of the label's performers: Randall Bramblett and Benji Hughes.
Southerland described Bramblett as "(having) an Americana sound right now. But I was really surprised when I heard his most recent album; it was a lot more rock than I was expecting it to be, and it's got a lot of blues infused in it."
Hughes, on the other hand, is described by Burch as a "cross between Leonard Cohen and Brian Wilson," and is known for his unconventional, Joe Cocker-esque live performances.
MUSIC BUSINESS PROGRAM/ATHFEST PANELS
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. SaturdayWhere: The Melting Point
Cost: Free
Bruce Burch, director of the University's Music Business Program said he has seen this change within the last five years, but thinks this generation of students will be able to master it.
"The beauty of it is that young people hold the future of the music industry in their hands now. Technology is driving the industry, and these guys were born with a computer in front of them," he said.
This is likely why many record companies are now targeting college students and organizations - evident in independent label New West Records' recent partnership with the University's Music Business Program.
"From an artist's standpoint, the days of waiting around for a record deal are over," said Derrick Southerland, a senior from Dacula majoring in consumer economics and a music business program participant. "You have to be more business-minded - it's really up to you to set up your game plan, how you're gonna market yourself and attract a fan base."
New West Records, founded by University alumnus George Fontaine Sr., has been home to household names such as Alice Cooper and Drive-By Truckers as well as a host of artists that are more under the radar.
The music business program is directly involved with promoting two of the label's performers: Randall Bramblett and Benji Hughes.
Southerland described Bramblett as "(having) an Americana sound right now. But I was really surprised when I heard his most recent album; it was a lot more rock than I was expecting it to be, and it's got a lot of blues infused in it."
Hughes, on the other hand, is described by Burch as a "cross between Leonard Cohen and Brian Wilson," and is known for his unconventional, Joe Cocker-esque live performances.
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