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February 11, 2005
By the People, For the People: The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA)
In years past, artists, musicians and songwriters looked to the major labels with an uncontainable sense of awe and respect and yes, perhaps even a little fear. Certainly there was a sense of an "unspoken truth," a music-business gospel that implied if an artist, musician, or band did not have the support of a major record label and its network of distribution and marketing, there would be little hope for success. Fame and fortune could not even be considered.
That was before the Internet, and certainly before grassroots organizations such as the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) began to pursue avenues of music marketing and promotion that broke free of perceived prior constraints.
Raising the Curtain on Washington, DC Music! WAMA
From the WAMA Web site: "WAMA is an umbrella organization of Washington area musicians, concert promoters, lawyers, recording engineers, managers, graphic artists, and related businesses working together to address areas of common concern."
Just to be certain that you absorb the implications of the WAMA self-description, read it again. Note that it is not just musicians, not just concert promoters, nor only lawyers or recording engineers, but the WAMA is comprised of a full range of music industry individuals and organizations. And, note the money-line: "working together to address areas of common concern." Exactly! Working together.
No doubt "major labels" will retain the lion's share of the music industry's annual sales and related revenues, but as self-determined individuals pursue alternate tracks whether through grassroots movements, Internet promotions or mutually supportive organizations, the music industry revenue pie is likely to be sliced in an ever increasingly fair fashion. There are no limits to self-promotion. Power to the people!
RELATED: JENNIFER CUTTING WINS FIVE WAMMY AWARDS FOR OCEAN CD | The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA)
Posted by BIGBAER at February 11, 2005 12:54 PM
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