Not voting is voting; and music cities need your vote
One comedic bit from George Carlin that makes me laugh is about voting; but I don’t agree with him one bit.
“I don’t vote. Two reasons. First of all it’s meaningless; this country was bought and sold a long time ago.” – George Carlin
Sorry George, but not voting allows for the other votes to count more, which in turn, is voting.
That lack of organization as a collective force is one reason songwriters’ interests are being ignored in the changing paradigm of streaming and technology.
It happens with housing, too: Music and art become staples in revitalizing an area; then the developers come in and the artists are economically pushed out of the very hometowns that music put on the map.
Like Austin.
Read Tish Hinojosa’s piece about being a full-time musician in what we assume is a music friendly town: “Hinojosa: Austin venues can do more to pay musicians fairly” – The Statesman.
The list of cities becoming too expensive for many musicians continues:
- Seattle – “Too expensive for the musicians who made it boom” – article here
- New York City – “the 1% stifles creative talent” – Byrne’s article here
- Ann Arbor – “the housing gap” – my wife wrote this article
Even that tourist trap on Broadway Street in Nashville is an interesting discussion concerning fair pay: Those stellar musicians survive on tips! (article here)
Bar owner Ruble Sanderson disputed this idea (his response), and I take him on his word that musicians get paid a small guarantee at his venues; however the musicians commenting on the article say the pay rate for one musician might be $30-40 for a four hour bar gig.
No one can argue that it’s the tip jar that makes the gig lucrative.
But East Nashville is where we should really direct our focus; a neighborhood that musicians called home is now becoming a housing bubble pushing them out: Priced out of Nashville article here.
National elections are important, but it’s our local elections that are even more within our power of creating change.
Try getting the President of the United State to answer your letter.
However, my guess is the Michigan governor’s top aides are finally feeling the heat of the public’s outcry in Flint. And a school board or city council member is going to hear your thoughts.
We vote everyday, with our time and our money.
George Carlin chose to ignore the polls; as artists and musicians, I urge you to do the opposite.
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