The ‘Good Ole Boy’ Music Network

Don’t completely fault yourself for not breaking into the music business. We all know about the ‘Good Ole Boy Network’ in politics, but we often forget about it in music. The ‘Good Ole Boy Network’ is alive and well in the entertainment industry, especially music and film. In many ways the entertainment network is just has hard to break into as the political ‘Good Ole Boy Network’.

Political Good Ole Boy Network vs. Entertainment Good Ole Boy Network
In Politics you are expected to have a choir boy reputation. If a politician gets caught with his pants down they can kiss their career goodbye (unless they’re Bill Clinton or Clarence Thomas). In the entertainment industry there are very few moral bounds. The only thing that counts is how stunning you look on the red carpet.

When famous musicians have affairs or get divorced it hits the tabloids and ups their record sales. Generally the public is not shocked by celebrity affairs and scandals and they enjoy reading about it in magazines and tabloids. In fact, diva like immoral behavior is anticipated of most celebrities.

Getting To My Point
The ‘Good Ole Boy Network’ in the entertainment industry is extremely dangerous and vicious because immorality is expected and in many instances praised. In short it makes you sell. The most important thing to note is that the music industry ‘Good Ole Boy Network’ PROMOTES ITSELF. This means that the record deals get passed down to their children, nieces, nephews, family members, lovers and occasionally their interns (aka “do boys” and “do girls”). The Political ‘Good Ole Boy Network does the same thing, look at President George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr. Here’s a famous music example below:

Myle Cyrus daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus

This Explains Why Mainstream Music is Terrible
She can’t sing how did she get a record deal? I’m tired of people saying this, you know how she got a record deal. What makes me more mad is when good indie artists want a record deal from these idiots. Really guys, why bother with them when you can sell your music yourself? Unless you have a hookup or direct contact to the ‘Good Ole Boy Network’ in the music industry you might as well keep your fingers crossed and try out for American Idol.

Gladiators are Replaced With Reality TV Talent Shows
During the ancient times, the wealthy and politically powerful entertained themselves by watching gladiator fights in their local arenas. They would take lower class, poven stricken citizens and or slaves and watch them fight one another for entertainment. Remember the movie Gladiator with Russel Crowe? Remember how he became a gladiator?

Now that I have explained the ‘Good Ole Boy Network’ and reminded you of how the wealthy and politically powerful amuse themselves, do you understand what’s going on here? They created reality shows like American Idol for pure entertainment and money. The gladiators of the ancient times were created for the same reason. Oh yes, they charged money at the door of ancient arenas to watch the gladiators, just as your local cable stations slap you with a bill every month.

Shows Such as American Idol Created To Make Money, Not To Find Talent
Shows such as American Idol were not created in the interest of finding true talent. I mean look at the careers of those who have appeared on such reality competitions. Thus far Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson seem to be making out okay. However, Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks already lost their record deals and Fantasia is on the chopping block.

Sell Your Music Yourself, Good Ole Boys Will Beg You
I hate the concept of record deals and I already explained to my readers a distribution deal is the way to go. However, if you do want a record deal you have to attract the big labels (Good Ole Boys) to you. If you have an inside contact into the music network use it, but make sure your music is up to par prior to giving it to your contact. In the event you are taking my advice research ways to sell and market your music especially online (it’s cost efficient and gives you international exposure).

This website is a great place to start researching,

Jamille Luney
Music Analyst

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