On the opposite end of the coin, everyone who plays for money is a sellout.

On a more serious note, I mostly hear the term when either:
  1. When a musician identifies himself/herself with a certain form of music and a famous person who plays that kind of music leaves "the club" to find monetary success elsewhere
  2. When a musician is envious of the fame another musician found

I don't understand either one:
  1. There are no clear cut lines between musical genres, classical melodies find their way into rock songs. It's just music. --- Before Internet Radio, Nashville TN had two of the best jazz radio stations in the country and I read an interview from a big session musician who said, "Don't let the suits know you are really into jazz, because they believe in country music."
  2. When a fellow musician becomes famous we should be happy for him/her. It's a rare thing, and it takes talent, a lot of luck, and so many other things that are not really under the control of the musician. Enjoying their success feels better to one's spirit than hating them for it.


For those reasons, I have never-ever called anyone a sell-out, and don't intend to do so.

I have played serious classical music, jazz, rock, country, blues, salsa and other forms of music. There are the same 12 notes in each genre, it's just how you put them together and how you use your technique to express them. It's even fun to get out of your comfort zone and try something different.

I've also been on the bandstand for decades, and there is one thing I know: When a musician does something that incites big excitement in the audience, he/she is going to do more of it.

So if and when you call someone a sell-out, you are really telling the world something about yourself.

Insights and incites by Notes

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

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