ABSTRACT
Being commercial is not selling out Among the fi rst things an incoming-earning artist must genuinely accept is that they have chosen a career in the music business. It is not a career showcasing the art of music-they already have that part of it fi gured out. They have elected to become part of the music business, and holding themselves out as commercial artists in the music business becomes an acknowledgment that songwriting, performing, and recording are going to be done with the objective of earning money. Many young
artists struggle with the idea of becoming commercial until they discover that band members do not want to rehearse without the promise of earnings. Likewise, managers are not interested in working with an artist unless there is the likelihood that they can earn money from a music group or individual that has a commitment to a career in the music business. Some young performers feel that becoming commercial is “ selling out” their artistry for the sake of money. They resist what they perceive the big label marketing machines will do to their music, because they fear they will be pressured into changing artistically into something they are not. However, most labels seek artists who are genuine and unique in their own ways, and who have potential for commercial appeal. Labels will sign an artist because of who they are artistically and because they feel there is a commercial market for their music, and most want to preserve the uniqueness of the artist that makes them special.
