Quote:
Originally Posted by Newzchspy
Having worked for a promoter, I've seen many contracts over the years. I can tell you this: The cost of a tour is tremendous, sponsored or not. Lets say you're Band X and have an agreement with Bud Light for a summer tour. Bud Light pays the "tour" the rights to advertise and/or sell their product at venues etc. (assuming venue doesn't have their own deal). Then you gotta look at the gross that you refer to and then start subtracting............the subtracting will make your head spin between union roadies, set-up, buses, catering, fees, fuel etc. The bills are endless. Everyone has their hand in your pocket. Sure , many artists have a guarantee in their contract, but they as well have management fees and commissions and taxes etc. I learned in the music biz that nothing is free..................
that's the beauty of publishing. the overhead is a LOT less than what a tour costs and it can pay for a looong time.............Why do you think that Lindzers sold his catalog a few years back? That's where the money was for him!! Now, someone owns the rights to his songs. Sadly, I think of Stevie and having no heirs. Mom and dad are gone and she ONLY has Chris, so who gets it when she's gone?? Her estate, BUT that does no one any good. Some company will buy the rights to her music and in 20 years you'll be seeing another cover of Landslide by the new Dixiecrat Chixx or an ad for Bud on the Superbowl 75.
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that's the thing.. back in the day touring was really just a way of marketing the album, which was where money was made. People got to hear the songs and then go, yeah I want to own that music, and went out and bought the album. Teeshirts and other merch was also a big revenue source. The tours themselves, as you point out, cost a crapload of money to put on... all those salaries, fees for the venue, hotels for everyone, per diem meals for everyone, planes, trucks, cars, etc etc etc. The reason there's still money in touring though is the outrageous ticket prices that hope to make up for the other lost money.....
