Dear (Insert Financial Institution of Choice Here), via Ben Arnold
Perhaps one of my favorite editions this week… it’s LETTERS FROM THE ROAD, our guest post series where we invite musicians we adore to take over and write whatever they like. 2 rules: it has to be in the form of a letter, it has to have something to do with music. This week’s LETTERS FROM THE ROAD guest author is a friend and brilliant singer-songwriter, Ben Arnold:
Dear (Insert Financial Institution of Choice Here),
I realize you have been trying to contact me lately. I apologize for the delay. I believe you were attempting to reach me concerning some checks that may have been “underfunded.” I have every intention of covering these. In fact, I am sure this account will be taken care of soon, as I am patiently waiting for a few things to come through.
You must be aware I am an artist. Surely you’ve heard me on Non-Comm radio or seen me on local TV. Maybe even in the regional papers or on YouTube. Is it possible we may even be Facebook friends? Of course you must feel secure, knowing the full scope of my career, that the money is about to roll in any day now.
To ease your mind, I thought I would offer just a few examples of the money streams my music has been generating for me. For instance, MUSIC REPORTS Inc. has sent me countless letters informing me that my songs have been licensed by a litany of music service providers. I am under the impression that alone should be good for about twelve cents per song x… about 40 or so…well… I’ve never been great at math, as you know.
I have also received a multitude of personalized offers through MySpace by several agencies to “…directly place my music into the hands of programmers, music supervisors and producers” who are eager to use some of my original songs in their upcoming films and commercials.
Because, of course, everyone knows the only way to achieve commercial success, get noticed and heard is through advertisement sound tracks. Even my mother says “that’s how to get your career off the ground these days! You gotta get your songs in a commercial!” I’m positive that shortly after cashing my check for “a one time service fee of only $400” we’ll be splitting those 50/50 royalty deals like gangsters. After all, the going sync rate for an indie artist in a film or commercial is like $250!! As soon as I land even a hundred of those contracts, I’ll buy a small house and future financial security will be mine.
You’ll be glad to know I have been very productive. I have put out 7 or 8 critically received records over the last 15 or so years. A while ago I even had a (minor) major label deal. Funny thing is, the day after we had a festive signing party in a local bar, I was told I wouldn’t really see any money from it because we needed it for the producer and mixing and marketing and that if I needed to make some quick cash, the record companies brand new recording studio needed painted and I was welcome to come in and roll high gloss for $10/hour for a couple weeks. After all, Urge Overkill was coming in soon and they wanted it to be just right!
My other projects were completed with the help of some great, small indie labels. Some I have done on my own with the help of talented and generous friends or business partners who I have made private deals with, to, of course, return their money first, off the top, as the sales cash comes in. As we speak, I’ve just recently about $4,000 (frugal by any standards) to produce, record and package my latest record. Everyone says it’s “my best yet!” At each gig I sell about maybe 10-15 copies for $10 each. Which, by the way, is about 10-15% of those in attendance. I used to be able to sell them for $15 but that whole iTunes thing kinda lowered the market value of hard copy cd’s too. Thankfully, some people still like to see some nice art inside or a recent picture of me where only my sideburns are going gray. Most of them don’t have satellite radio or digital players in their cars yet either so they still like to have something to shove in the ‘ole slot.
Anyway, at that rate as soon as I play about 40 shows, I will have paid my loan back and will reap 70% of all the future sales. On gigs alone, with the exception of New York and LA, I make at least $50 after splitting up the money. Sometimes it’s as good as a couple $100! So, you can see, you really needn’t worry. I will be rolling in the dough in no time at all.
On some solid advice I realized how merchandise sales can offer a huge well of money-making possibilities. Recently, in order to capitalize on this and save money in the process, I had shirts designed by a friend. I had a great idea for a graphic design. He sort-of-almost got it right and it will look fine on the Beefy T’s I can afford to buy in advance instead of the cool, nice feeling American Apparel shirts. And as soon as I give away one to each of my band mates, all of the sound engineers we work with, the people at my management agency, the club owners, my niece and my sister, I will be pulling in probably a dollar a piece! I did it a couple of times before and it worked out great. Mostly for the untold marketing value I received from all of the people who saw my shirts in the Salvation Army Thrift store racks. I can over hear them now…”Wow, great shirt. That guy should be famous!” I should make a note to speak with them about my commission btw.
I should mention I applied for and received a privately funded grant this year. It helped me to live a short while as I worked regularly passionately with low-income kids to help them to realize a future career as musical artists as well. I think the government taxed it pretty hard which was a surprise. But you know how no good deed goes unpunished.
So, just so you know, I have been working hard at this thing for a long time now. I put thousands of hours of into it and thousands of dollars too. I realize it’s MY dream and MY life, not yours, so I’m not really bitching. I have had more fun doing this than anyone deserves, made great friends, and most importantly grown consistently as an artist and musician. I will be covering those checks ASAP and repaying any institution or person who may have helped to support my life long ego trip (as some “family friend” genuinely referred to it, thanks for your support). But, please understand that not only is it ridiculously hard work to do this with any real commitment, in solvency, with no family trust fund or early 90’s era mega-record-Clive Davis-loves-your-act-label-deal. But, to keep pride intact, to keep the car that takes me to gigs on the road, the roof over head where I write and create and rehearse and the food to keep me alive to do all of the above… about 10 years ago I realized something needed to change in order to balance it all out. I have even been surprised by the great inspiration I get in return, the few less bounced checks, the humility and the desire to make the most of every hour in every single day……you’ll be glad to know, I GOT A JOB.
Thanks for your time, patience and continued support of my career.
I’m sure we’ll see each other in the clubs. Hopefully next time I’ll be signing your CD, not another bad check.
Sincerely,
Ben Arnold
http://www.benarnoldmusic.com/
Tags: Ben Arnold, LETTERS FROM THE ROAD —
9/6/10
Categories: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE • LETTERS FROM THE ROAD
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