Interesting article. Certainly food for thought.
Couple of rather glaring flaws in Ely's thinking however. Most obvious is logistics. How could this be managed and regulated? A local garage band would have to pay Ely a cut every time they play "Louie Louie" at the local VFW? The estate of Harold Arlen gets a few $$ every time someone warbles "Over the Rainbow". Somebody plays "The Wedding Song" at a church and Paul Stookey gets a few bucks. I'm going to play at a open mic tomorrow and do a couple of originals and a couple of covers. Someone tosses a buck into the tip jar. I'm supposed to pro rate the tip and send a percentage to.....???
Ely's premise, records should only be made to promote touring, is also a bit shaky. The Beatles quit touring about the time of Help. So Ely is essentially saying Revolver, Rubber Soul, Sgt. Pepper, the White Album, Abbey Road are not valid. Nope, not gonna buy into that logic.
Now is the music industry way off kilter, is the distribution of music a issue? On that point Ely is on target. I also find it some what interesting that absolutely nothing is stopping Ely or anyone else from giving music away as a promo tool and make $$ from touring. Have at it, see if it works!!!
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic
hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs.
There's also a negative side."
--Hunter S. Thompson
Guitars: Dean Sweet Wood 00R, Martin D2R, Guild D60, Guild D35NT, Morgan Monroe M30, OS baritone Uke