It has always been that way for 90% or more.

When we were being courted by Motown, their last offer was 2 cents per record. Out of those royalties they would take out inflated recording costs, inflated distribution costs, and inflated promotional costs. Our manager figured we would have to sell a million copies of our first single to break even and not owe Motown any money. In those days, a million sales from a first time artist was a rarity.

If your first single went viral and sold over a million, you could negotiate a better deal for the next one.

They even wanted to put one of their staff writers name as co-writers to get have the songwriting royalties, and they wanted all publishing rights.

That's why there are so many one hit or one CD wonders.

Nothing has changed but the technology.

99.9% of musicians make their money by playing live to an appreciative audience.

Insights and incites by Notes

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

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