10 Jan A Discussion On Prince In 2013; 3rd Eye Girl; A New Site?; Paisley Park Performances?
Last night, I did a spreecast with host Seth Everett on PRINCE in 2013. Me and Seth had these before where we just discuss things on Prince and what is going on. With 4 songs being “leaked” a few days before, people were thinking there would be breaking Prince news instead of a discussion of things.
Now, wouldn’t I put the big news on my site or advertise the spreecast here? I tweeted and facebooked it only. Still, expectations ran high.
I can understand that when it comes to Prince, people’s expectations run high, even though it said for a couple of days it is going to be a discussion. No special guests. Will there be some things asked and shared? Yes. Expectations many times lead to disappointment when nothing was ever promised.
If you wish to access the spreecast, you can do so HERE.
Some interesting things were discussed and so they did not get lost in the mix, I figured we could discuss them here and allow some input from you the reader.
Topic #1. I wanted to debate the pros and cons of “free” content. Let’s say “3rd Eye Girl” was/is posting unreleased content without permission. Shouldn’t 3rd Eye pay for what they post? Then say the NPG could pay all of the employed producers of the content. n 19-member band paid annually is no joke. We all have bills to be paid.
Topic # 2. A discussion of a new web site. With so many of the Prince community hooked up online would and could the fans get together and start their own NPG MUSIC CLUB (Prince’s successful subscription and membership service used back in the early 2000’s), pool their $ and vote on what type of music they want?
Meaning if they wanted new songs, rehearsals, material from the vault, complete live shows, certain videos. This way, it skips the need of I-Tunes and other 3rd (sic)parties. If the fans created a network similar 2 Facebook, a fee could be given to the NPG and they could just fill the order, pay those deserving and stop all the lawsuits in one fell swoop. Thoughts?
Topic # 3. IF “3rd Eye Girl” turns out to be a band member, say the NPG’s newest additions Hannah Ford or Donna Grantis, what should be the disciplinary action taken? In the past, former band members have leaked material. Perhaps more thorough background checks are needed.
Topic # 4. Andy Allo was indeed the co-producer of the CD Superconductor. I was in the studio first-hand to see that happen. It is jointly owned by NPG and Alloevolution.
Of the all the artists that worked with Prince, Andy was one of the few who did not follow guide vocal trax originally laid down by Prince. Only the 3 songs that Prince co-wrote were produced in this manner. Andy is extremely talented and a quick-learner. She refuses to punch-in individual songs and rather goes back 2 the top when necessary to get a performance that she has sole approval of. She was given an unlimited budget by NPG to fulfill her vision. The results are something all of us can be proud of.
What do you guys think of “Superconductor”?
Topic #5. Paisley Park. The soundstage at Paisley Park is currently under renovation. It looks like Barbarella meets Sweet Charity. Are their any new fans that wanna experience late-nite parties at Paisley Park? What’s a good cover charge that everyone can agree on? Yes, Prince will be there.
Now, I want to state these topics do NOT cover everything that PRINCE will be doing in 2013. I think it is safe to say (But I am assuming)we could expect a new album with some good promotion by it, a tour (Where n when would be determined at a later date.) and so much more.
When these Paisley Park shows would take place is not exactly known. As it states, Paisley is under renovation. That could take a while. He just wants to know that when it does open, what do you feel should be the cover charge?
I think it is a good start that he is thinking of another web site but wants the fans heavily involved this time. Perhaps so the NPG is held responsible for what content is provided. It shows the Internet is NOT dead. It shows that social media does serve it’s purpose to some extent. I think it shows that he doesn’t want to be completely accessible via Twitter or Youtube and would use it when he feels it could benefit him and not a “3rd party”, so to speak.
I was going to put up a poll but I think it is best served if you answer the questions and perhaps when we have more of a general idea, we could do a poll with the most popular answers. I thank you for your time.-DocFB
Diagnosis: Surrender expectations. More things then will be fulfilled.
Jeremy
Posted at 17:58h, 10 JanuaryI’ve just finished reading all of the responses, and I think one of the greatest things about this latest controversy is that it has got people talking, thinking and coming together in unison to discuss these important matters…
It’s a very clever move and I am excited to see what is going to happen.
I was mainly introduced to the music of Prince around the ’09 period, and so I missed out on the NPG Music Club experience, and I’ve always wished I could have been a part of the Love4OneAnother era…
I have seen some of the articles and concepts behind the L4OA website, and to this day I find that it inspires me greatly and it helped to change my life, even though I didn’t know about it at the time. The energy from that website was so positive, inspiring and unifying, and it looked as though the fans were really able to feel as though they were a part of the Prince community, and they could submit ideas, contributions, poetry, etc…all collectively contributing to a higher consciousness and a better world. The unlimited potential of a website like that to really change things in the world is such an exciting prospect, and I think it would be even more possible with the technology of today, to communicate more freely and make great changes for all.
I found that just reading the articles of that website made me think outside the square, believe in myself, dream, feel much more positive in general and it ultimately inspired me to be a better person…and if there was something like this that existed online today, to help us through the challenges in this world (even just by providing new and inspiring music to listen to), would be incredible and well worth the price.
As I saw when I visited Melbourne to watch Prince perform last year, there is a massive underground community of Prince fans, all around the world…and to bring everybody together to one place to share and inspire and uplift one another online and elsewhere…united by a mutual love and respect…would be incomparable…and I think everybody is craving something along these lines.
I enjoyed the spreecast yesterday…
In response to Question #5:
This is THE dream of mine, to see Prince perform in Paisley Park.
I see that a lot of people have suggested the idea of having plenty of warning due to families, travel costs, jobs and so forth…and I agree with this idea of setting a date in the future and giving people time to find that money and organise the trip…
If I had enough time to earn that amount of money, I would pay just about whatever was necessary to see that. I would have to travel from New Zealand…which I did for MSG & Melbourne, so it might take a while to save that kind of money, but to visit Paisley Park would be INCREDIBLE!
I love this idea and I hope that Prince will do more shows at Paisley Park, and the idea of screening live shows as well…wow, wow, wow! I agree with someone else who compared it to visiting Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory…
This would be so magical.
Secondopinion
Posted at 17:43h, 10 JanuaryTopic 1: 3rdeyegirl should pay for the leaked tracks, and NPG could use that money to pey the producers of the content and band members who participated on those tracks.
Topic 2: Website – I think it should be like the NPG music club. I agree with a voting system of what Prince material many fans wish to purchase, and that’s how the music club/website could be funded. Also, about possible access to early concert tix before sold to the public;only a limited amount of first dibs to concert tix, first come first served;limit 2 tix purchase per buyer and a confirmation code for the tix to pick up at will call.
Topic 3: If it was a band member who turned out to be 3rdeyegirl, then yes a fine should be imposed or either that band members’ paycheck for the first 3-5 shows performing with Prince should be paid to the producers/band members who participated on those leaked tracks, that 3rdeyegirl posted on the net. Another option is if 3rdeyegirl demanded money for photos/leaked tracks, then intentionally posted the tracks because that person didn’t receive the money, from Prince or his associates. Then I think all the band members should vote to either fine that band member or let them go, since she posted leaked tracks without permission, and possibly tried to extort money for photos/leaked tracks at the same time.
Topic 4 – Very good that Andy was co-producer and able to have her input on that album. Superconductor turned out to be better than expected, and has been well received by many Prince fans.
Topic 5 – Late nite parties at PP: . Charge to get into PP should be around $20 – $ 30 and some kind of refreshments available to buy. He could also look into ‘streaming’ some concerts//parties/jam sessions, from PP. A certain amount per year for free-if show is under 1 hr, then free, but if it’s a longer show, like 2 hours, then charge a fee. Should stream these shows mainly in the winter months, especially for international/domestic fans (including older fans who have responsibilities), and can’t always travel to Minneapolis all the time=don’t forget Minne’s winters can be harsh. Brrrrr
Let some of his band members do their own 30 minute live, solo shows from PP too, so fans can see their talents. JayZ streamed one of his concerts live from that Brooklyn arena, and many other artists have done the same.
The Truth
Posted at 16:56h, 10 JanuaryOk Doc, u did say there may b a ‘special guest’ so everyone thought 3rdeyegirl. But there was no ‘special guest’ at all. Everyone expected a special guest bc u eluded there would b one. There wasn’t. End of story.
Paying for a 19piece band annually would b expensive, but if he can’t afford it then y not strip down to basics. I ain’t gonna get a brand new BMW if I can’t afford the loan repayments. I mean seriously, he can play almost all instruments himself, so y not record on his own, y does he have to keep a 19piece band running? Unless he’s rehearsing to do tours, in which case the tour profits definitely cover the costs of his band and wayyyy more, so ur point is mute. We do all have bills to b paid which leads me into my next point.
How much would you pay for a prince website membership? Um nothing. until he proved he wasn’t going to rip us off again. Prince stole from us just as bootleggers steal from Prince and no way ill be duped into paying for nothing again. Because the website would b run by fans, who’s to say once he’s collected enough money he doesn’t serve the site with a cease and desist and get it shut down? A risk I’m not willing to take. Prince is very strict and a site run bu fans would almost definitely end up breaching some pf his views and get shut down! Sorry Prince, ur scared to release material to us on the basis that it will b stolen, I’m scared to commit to ur website on the basis my $ will b stolen again. A relationship of any kind is based on trust and once that trust is broken its very hard to earn back, I’m not ready to trust ur new approach just yet as after all u did say that the Internet was dead!
If 3rdeyegirl is an NPG member then he should decide what to do. Hannah did say bootlegs 4 days,so it’s obvious this was pre-planned. Now anyone who knows anything about Prince would know that he is so against bootlegging and releasing material without his permission which leads me to conclude this is all a big scam. His mgr, band members and docfb supporting a blackmailer? Sure! Reading multiple posts it became apparent that fans infact contacted the law firm that supposedly released that letter and shortly after it was removed. Why? Because it was a doctored document. I find it quite insulting that whoever it was took fans for fools and tried to play them. How immature and disgusting. Whoever it was behind all this whether it was Prince, DocFB or one of the NPG band members I have 4 words 4u, grow the Ef up! Ur little plot cost more Prince fans than it gained. Existing fans that were played have been lost and people who didn’t hear about Prince yet surely wouldn’t have known what the heck was going on with that mix up. (Fans lost =less ppl to sign up to ur proposed website Prince = less $ 4u).
Paisley Park concerts? Cool, but seeing as I’m on the other side of the world it don’t mean much to me, so I won’t comment on pricing.
As for Andy Allo, despite being totally unrelated to all of this, yes she rocks, she’s young, fresh, funky and has her whole life ahead of her. Her music is Awesome and she seems like a talented young girl. Good 4 her.
Anonymous
Posted at 16:22h, 10 JanuaryPrince should stop trying to control everything! This just confusing.
Andy Allo is good, but Prince should stop trying to make Prince clones. There will only be one Prince. We all know she is his girlfriend. Allow the artists that you work with to be involved in the process and try to work with an artist who is not a love interest. Make some hits Prince we miss them!
EyeNoReligion
Posted at 15:25h, 10 JanuaryI’m ready to pay for any new variation of an NPGMC music club membership. I’m ready to pay directly for high quality audio and video. I’m ready to hop planes to Paisley park for any type of special shows/gatherings. All of these things sound amazing. The key to being a Prince fan is to be as ready as possible. You gotta get a purple piggy bank and do your best to have money stashed- If you’re a serious fan, you know this comes with the territory. I do hope any Paisley events/shows are announced with more warning for travel arrangements. Going to Paisley Park is like going to the Wonka Factory for Prince fams. I have yet to go (inside) but I gotta felling this is the year for me. I want to rock out to “Bambi”, shake it to the “R ‘n R” (Remix 7) and sit quietly and listen to “Crazy You” & crowd participate to “PartyUp” . Oh, I’d like to hear “Paisley Park” inside the Park. There’s my wishlist for 2013 <3
Michael
Posted at 15:20h, 10 JanuaryWhat Prince needs is a Prince Entertainment Network(which could include Music & Arts Education…). The Prince Music Arts & Entertainment Education Conservatory Network could utilize every medium available now, and every medium developed in the future. And users/visitors should pay something for what they enjoy viewing and hearing. Prince Radio, Prince Television, Prince pay-per-view concerts, Prince concerts on network television to help promote all other Prince stuff, Prince Jukeboxes in public spaces, Prince websites, Prince cellphones, Prince Wear(who dresses better than Prince), Prince merchandise… Done tastefully, Prince’s brilliance could be experienced by everyone, and Prince would not have compromised his integrity. Sharing with others is a good thing; and money is a good thing. C’mon Prince, share a bit more with us all; we’ll pay fair remunerations for everything you make available(It’s only the oily-snakey middlemen that you really have a problem with…).
Thebeautifulone
Posted at 15:01h, 10 JanuaryB4 I answer your questions let me say that your mea culpa is accepted and I hope you learn from it for next time, spreecast or blog post. Coz you did hype the spreecast and you are a bit obfuscating when you write “leaked” and “lifted” and 😉 etc. Are you playing games, too? Wouldn’t surprise me if you are in the game. Whatever. Let us know when the next song leaks or the next album drops, all I care about is the music.
Q1 I prefer to pay for music and videos but there is nothing to stop illegal downloads because software programmers are a dime a dozen. Other musicians make legal music and concert dvds available for purchase and have not missed out on income. Look at Coldplay or Bruce Springsteen. Me thinks Prince protests too much about the music industry and bootlegs. I don’t take that seriously anymore. I can’t comment on whether 3rdeyegirl should pay. What a silly question is that? If this is indeed a leak then it’s up to whether a law was broken. If this is a marketing campaign then what was this c&d letter for? Took the game too far.
Q2 A new website? I missed all of Prince’s previous ones because I am not a fan that spends all day searching for what Prince or any other artist is up to. Apparently the previous websites left fans rather unhappy. He also shut down fan sites so again your question is silly. He should be thinking about what are his objectives? And how is he going to overcome the negative perceptions from previous websites? I would not pay for membership, only suckers would pay for that in this day and age! I would pay for actual products and events.
Q3 Another silly question! Why do you accuse these two ladies? Do you have any proof? Why speculate and obfuscate? You said in the spreecast that you know who emailed you the twitter link but you cannot tell. Oh games, games, games.
Q4 Interesting definition of co-produce. Did she pay for studio time and musicians? No. Did she spend months playing music, writing, recording etc with Prince? Yes. Were you there every day? I like the album a lot but anyone with ears can hear Prince ‘s influence on the sound and the lyrics. Even a transient listen via spotify to her first album shows that it was quite different in sound. Her first album was produced by her previous boyfriend who was more into hip hop. So again, come on! You are treading a fine line. Yes it is a nice album but stop the spin.
Q5 And the last silly question…how much to pay? Has Prince no professional marketing people on his team to work that out in these times of austerity? How about 25 or 31.21 dollars? The bigger question is, who will go to these? Will Prince playing live for hours be guaranteed? Because most people will need to pay for airfares and hotels too. While I would love to experience Paisley Park parties, for me like most of his fans who live around the globe this is not a practical proposition. Instead for us overseas the question is will he tour in 2013 and where and will we have enough advance notice to plan our attendance as we have families and jobs etc to coordinate unlike Prince who lives the rock and roll lifestyle.
Anyway, hope my answers are helpful.
PurpleKat3121
Posted at 14:57h, 10 JanuaryGreat idea for a discussion forum that may help Prince to make some decisions on what to make happen in 2013. Here are my answers to the questions posed:
1. Free content should only be offered directly by Prince’s own website should he choose to allow it, such as the items he gave us through NPGMC.
2. Prince should definitely have a new website, but keep it basic. It just needs to focus on the product (music, videos, etc.) that he wants to promote and sell. It should mainly be a music/video store set up similar to iTunes or Amazon, where we could listen to samples of songs/albums and then choose to buy either as a download or an actual cd/dvd. There does not need to be a discussion forum for fans – (we have sites like prince.org for that), and no fancy “rooms” to hang out in, (which I am sure are costly to develop and maintain), maybe just a notice board for special announcments and a sign-up box for fans to enter their email addresses so that they can receive announcements / news via email. It would also be great if the site could offer special access to VIP concert tickets, etc. like with NPGMC.
3. If 3rd Eye Girl released content without permission she should be fined/reprimanded for doing so. However, this would not have happened if Prince had offered free teaser samples of his new cd on his own website!
4. Andy Allo should be given credit where credit is due, of course, as should any artist.
5. Paisley Park performances are always welcome, although some advance notice would be great, since there are people that do not live close to Minneapolis that would like to attend. Maybe there could be occasional one-off late night jams for the local fans (like in the mid-90’s) and then more organized annual 3-day weekend “festival” type events for the out-of-towners, simlar to the “celebrations” in 2000-2002, but not as long (so as not to annoy the local Chanhassen residents too much!). Also, it may be a good idea to organize daily shuttle bus transportation for these (similar to that laid on for the concert in Oct 2009) so as not to have a problem with too many cars parked up and down Audobon Rd.
Thanks for listening, and I look forward with eager anticipation to whatever transpires in 2013.
2FunkyFoNoReason
Posted at 14:49h, 10 JanuaryFirst off Prince has and always will be the most jaw dropping, engaging live artist I have ever seen and I’ve seen them all. I understand the 3rd eye concept of getting a discussion going to a point. What Prince has to realize though the teasing aspect of is this real or fake imo takes away from whatever good he’s trying to do here. We as fans just want the music period end of story. Putting some trax up & then yanking them serves no purpose except to annoy & aggravate, especially since its been so long since we’ve heard any new material. I say keep it simple and just release the music & some live gigs ala dvd. That’s what the fans want. I’m 42 with kids of my own and frankly don’t have the time to play the will he or won’t he game. I just want to be able to share some new recordings and live shows. One thing that would get my juices flowin’ (insert joke here) is to start a website and simply ask the fans to vote ala poll what shows they would like released. Some examples that come to mind – The Troubador LA 2nd show, The House of Blues aftershow from 4/2002, The Conga Room 2009 etc.. You’ve brought me so much joy and your passion for music has inspired me as a human being and as a fellow musician. At the end of the day just “Release It, Yes”!!!
KimberlyScott
Posted at 14:43h, 10 JanuaryI have been a fan of Prince, since I can remember and I think it is great that he is posing questions to the fans. I am a little surprised that this isn’t being covered on all blogs sites because this seems to be a small group of fans. However, I appreciate the opportunity to give my feedback. Prince is a major brand and this seems to be an amateur approach. There are ways for Prince to connect with his fan base and still maintain control.
Topic 1 – If 3rdeyegirl stole unreleased material she should pay for the material. Music sharing is typically for music the artist releases so if the music wasn’t authorized for release she should be held accountable. I don’t know that making her pay has anything to do with producers and employees. Music is made to be sold and those sales cover expenses. In addition the band should be doing shows to get paid.
Topic 2 – Prince should create a site that is free to access but if people want to buy the music they can buy the music. He can create his own personal itunes. It doesn’t make sense to have people pay a monthly fee. It seems you would capture a larger audience by allowing people to access the site and pay when they download the music.
Topic 3 – If 3rdeyegirl is a band member and stole they should be terminated. Employees shouldn’t steal at any point of time. They are breaking the trust and that is unacceptable. Prince deserves better than that.
Topic 4 – I think Superconductor is good, but music needs to be promoted. There seems to be a need for marketing. To compete in today’s music market you have to do some marketing! The album didn’t seem to have any promotion at all. You can have the best music in the world and if nobody knows about it then it means nothing. The attachment to Prince alone is not enough to make people buy the music. Andy needs exposure and marketing. She should be doing shows across the country to increase awareness.
I hope that Prince is working with other artists as well and pushing out more good music like Superconductor. Just push it out with marketing!!
Topic 5 – A Paisley Park experience is worth a lot of money. I wouldn’t charge less than $200 for a show of this kind. However, this needs to be marketed as well.
I am a follower of Dr. Funkenberry but this forum needs to be expanded. Prince has a lot of fans and they don’t all follow this blog. No offense Dr. Funkenberry but you have 5,000 twitter followers and only 230 people were on a very disorganized webcast. We are talking PRINCE! It should be so much bigger than this.
***************IMPORTANT *********************************
Now I have a question for Prince and I hope he reads it. Who is your team??? The best surround themselves with a good team. This one ISN’T IT. You need someone that can manage, negotiate and help you get it done. Prince is a legend and isn’t being treated as such. Very evident with this 3rdeyegirl, the webcast as well as he should be doing shows like other legendary acts. Please PRINCE!!! For Instance why is Rolling Stones traveling across America and selling out every show. Prince should be getting the same promo if not better. FIRE YOUR current management team and get someone who really gets it!!!
Big Sur Scott
Posted at 14:26h, 10 JanuaryNote: Damn, I proofed my reply below twice before posting and did not notice in the 3rd answer “where no one can pay ala carte from music.” That of course should read “where one can pay ala carte for music.”
Big Sur Scott
Posted at 14:17h, 10 JanuaryI first saw Prince in 1981 at First Ave. Grew up in MPLS and have been a fan ever since, having seen pretty much every performance in MN from the early to late 80’s. I have never been able to take my eyes off of Prince.
The exact thing that has made him so musically interesting is also the same thing that makes him absolutely frustrating as hell for fans. His rapidly changing interests and his need to be in control. Those things have produced amazing music and they have also produced a long string of business, marketing and relationship failures.
What Prince needs to do in my opinion is focus on his music and hire some truly professional, competent people to handle the rest. Pay them and let them do their job. In this context it is easy to answer your questions.
#1 The 3rd eye girl stuff is just an example of poor management and marketing. What is the point. Are we to believe for a moment that this whole thing was not orchestrated by Prince, of course not. This discussion should not be about the merits of free music or such. It should be what the hell is he doing in terms of any sort of well thought out plan to release material and be relevant?
#2 It is absolutely insane for Prince to launch an idea like having fans create a site and pool their money to buy unreleased stuff from the vault. This again is about hiring professional people, paying them and getting on with it. No membership fan sites with fees, instead a well designed yet simple site where no one can pay ala carte from music. Absolutely offering full lossless flac format. An official site that has official news releases, tour info, bio and stuff of interest to fans. Not the current situation of rumors and disjointed, dysfunctional communications.
#3 Why ask us this? It should be of no concern nor interest to the fan base. I care about the music not the minutiae.
#4 I couldn’t careless. Andy is not my cup of tea, but who cares. I wish her all the best.
#5 Once again why ask the fans this type of question? This is the type of thing that professional management determines, it is a business question. It is all about having a team of competent people manage the business and non music/creative side of Prince Inc.
I love Prince’s music, I love watching him perform, I find his recording techniques and the details behind his creative process absolutely fascinating. As far as the rest goes, I find him extremely frustrating and the idea of asking fans about how he should conduct his business, well again, let me emphasize the same point again, hire and pay competent professionals to handle the business side of things. Do what you are good at Prince, creating music and art and let go of the need to control every damn thing.
Anonymous
Posted at 14:05h, 10 JanuaryThat’s not how to use ‘(sic)’.
douglas
Posted at 13:56h, 10 JanuaryI hope he plays Bonnaroo this year.
Tannis
Posted at 13:08h, 10 JanuaryWow Doc, ask and you shall receive! It’s great how many Prince fans are taking the time to respond. The thing is, people either love Prince or they love to hate him! I’m a lover! So here is my bit….
I don’t really care who 3rd Eye Girl is or who is behind it. If the intent was to get people talking it worked. If it is someone who did something wrong, it will be taken care of the way it should be. I like to hear what’s out there, and I know I am a rare few, but I like to buy my CD’s. I like to hold them in my hand, I like to have a collection, I like to open up the cover, pull out the book and get lost in the pictures, the lyrics, the credits.
I think that Prince should hire you and I to manage a web based page for him. He needs to stay relevant, he needs to sell his music, his cd’s, dvd’s, whatever he chooses. It needs to be professional first and foremost, it needs to be consistant, it needs to be classy and reflect him as a person. So much emphasis is on money, and yes, it needs to be run as a business, by intelligent people, not be fan based. The reality is, it is about money. But more importantly, it is about a craft, an art, inpiration, kindness, growth and keeping him and what he is about, alive now and when he is gone. It needs to be personal and have his touch, and be believable that he is in some way involved (maybe a video of him talking to his fans every now and again!). This is what people want, we want to see him. We want to watch him. And yes Prince, I am trustworthy and hireable! 🙂
It is the age of social media, like it or not. When I see posts from Elisa Dease or Liv or Shelby, it’s touching, it’s real, it’s human. We want to connect with artists like that and support them. He can still remain private, untouchable if he likes, but he is real and human and people adore him. He has so much to offer. He is not being true to his gifts if he is not sharing himself with us.
One of my favorites to listen to is Indigo Nights. I listen to it when I am working and sometimes I find myself bopping my head, lost somewhere, transported, and ever hopeful that one day I can sit in a small dark lit room and experience an intimate show. Paisley Park would be great! I would drive there for a show. But a show that was going to be played, a show that is put on by him, not his proteges, and not 4 hours late.
I find it hard to believe that Prince would want you to pose the question to us, how much would we be willing to pay? Perhaps he didn’t and it was just you asking to start up a discussion. I think Prince knows what people would pay. He has to keep the fans who have loved him from the start, and wouldn’t it be amazing for the younger generation to know him, appreciate him, and learn through him, the difference between the music that is played on the radio now, and real music. There are long time bands out there who still have it, still engage us, and still get the newer generation to love them. He can do it to! (he can hire you and to help him with that too! 🙂 )
There are crazy people out there, and trust is a big thing for anyone, I can’t imagine someone like Prince, being able to immediately trust anyone. As much as we would all like to have a glimpse of the personal side of Prince, and would love to know if the photos you saw were real and who was in them, good on you for holding them close and not sharing. That my friend is character, and that goes farther than money or prestige!
Thanks to you and Seth for the Spreecast. I think next time, don’t allow the fans on video, that was just too wierd! I do look forward to them!
Thanks for the post, good luck with the blog as always, and Keep healthy! Take Care!
Tannis
HiGenius
Posted at 12:38h, 10 January5 dollars for 1 download (live, rehearsal) per month and for the rest of our lives… Think twice and sign here Supergoodconductor :
Jan Wouter
Posted at 12:14h, 10 JanuaryI think the NPG Music Club with the monthly download still will do the job. I think the fans will all buy it every month as long as the music will flow. And yes , not only new music , but like the recent “leaks” also remixes , rehearsals and video’s. Let’s start with releasing SCREWDRIVER !!!
cah
Posted at 11:40h, 10 JanuaryDr. Funkenberry, It’s also good for people not to allow their possessions to become an obsession, as sooner or later it can consume them to a point where it can affect them mentally and spiritually.
Fans get to enjoy a musician’s creativity through a musician’s music. Artists share a part of themselves through their creative music skills and songs. Of course not everyone will like every song from artist, but then everyone is different and have their own tastes in music. I think Prince should be willing to share his concert DVDs with fans as he has always been known as one of the most outstanding stage performers . and has been a revolutionary in the music industry. But how can many of the younger and future fans know this if they never get a chance to see any footage of many of his past concert footage?
How will they know how Prince inspired so many other musicians and artists who were around during those days, and thereafter, if none of the years of concert footage are not officially accessible to fans? How can a parent who was around the time Prince first started his career, share some concert footage of this artist, if there isn’t any footage available? Of course, any parent can monitor what they choose for their younger , adult children to see, but allow those parents to be the judge of that, if swearing in past concert footage or songs, is what Prince may be worried about the youth of today hearing in some of that footage. For the past 20 years, most of those within that generation, as youth, have grown up listening to artists, like many rappers, swearing in their music, and even if parents go through the trouble of not allowing their young ones to bring music with expletive language in their home, you can bet many youth have or will find a way to listen to it elsewhere, just like the youth of Prince’s generation.
Every musician has a right to their own creative material, and to get paid for it, and not have to worry about fans or those close to them stealing their creative material, but if they make their material accessible to fans for purchase, before bootleggers get hold of it, then at least that musician will still get paid. That payment will come from his or her dedicated fan base. Money sure can’t be made for a musician, with such material being locked away in a vault forever, or refusing to grow as technology changes constantly, making things easier and faster for consumers.
We live in a internet –savvy world, with youtube, tunes, online streaming, cable pay-per-view, etc., and that’s not going to change anytime soon, because this is the world new babies are being born into, and although some may say that there was more quality in music, during the vinyl/8-track/cassette eras, that is not the generation we live in today , and the music industry is part of the ever-changing technology. Change is not easy, but the world of technology will not stop changing or stop moving forward with new ideas , just because some musicians today, may want to hold on to the days of yesterday. Prince was always known as one of those artists that has always been creative in his music and the many ways he finds to distribute his music, so it is sort of surprising that he does not seem more open to some of technology’s innovations, in the way music is being purchased or listened to by music lovers in today’s music market. Just an opinon, take care.
ontheone
Posted at 11:24h, 10 JanuaryOh yeah and access to priority concert tickets and pre-show like the One Night Alone tour – that was the absolute best concert experience as a fan in terms of tickets and special access fornfans
ontheone
Posted at 11:21h, 10 JanuaryThanks for the discussion
Before I get to the questions, I have been following Prince since the early 90s when I really got into his back catalogue and saw him on the Diamond & Pearls tour in London and then every tour since. Prince has done some really exciting things with the distribution of his music over the years – here are my highlights, speaking as a fan.
Free release of “the war” – this was so exciting. It was done through the love4oneanother website. The song was distributed by the fans in the days before mp3s were so popular – you sent a blank cd to a fan that acted as a distribution point and weeks later it came back with this amazing track on it. This was genius and so exciting! Fans were then able to choose what they wanted to pay for the track through the website.
NPGUK Music Club with monthly content – This was also exciting – maybe the pressure of monthly new content is too much but every 2 or 3 months would be amazing – even if it was vault content or live material.
LotusFlower was promising but there was too little content – or maybe it was all given out too quickly….
OK to the questions
#1 As mentioned above – free music can be used to build awareness, buzz and loyalty – most artists do this – use sound cloud or utube if you don’t want to pay for the infrastructure!
#2 Prince should have a website – period. On that website people that have a casual interest should be able to find out more about prince, his music, tour dates etc. There have been some amazing fan focused sites which unfortunately have been chased away – housequake, moquake – a place that feels like that would be amazing. Here’s an idea – why not bootleg the bootleggers? Fans pay to be a member of the club and once inside they fare free to share their unreleased content with each other….
#3 If these really were leaked then this person should be put in charge of content on the new website – they obviously have a flare for generating buzz in future projects – so make the most if it!
#4 I’ve seen a couple of vids of Andy Allo before Prince. I haven’t caught the new stuff, apart from some from her Facebook page. You know this is why we need a website and channels through Facebook, twitter to alert fans in their busy lives that things are going on – especially when the activity is so infrequent…
#5 I like the suggestions of a celebration type event if it was like a three day thing about $200. If it was a nightly thing about $25. I live in the uk so echo what some others have said about having at least some events planned well in advance so that we can make arrangements. It would be amazing to be able to drop in on some impromptu gigs with Prince maybe with other artists from time to time like used to happen at Glam Slam from what I understand… Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Q-Tip. Actually I’d be gutted if these were last minute and I missed them – but I LOVE the idea of it!
Forse, forse, forse …. aspettiamoci un grande 2013 « Prince@Music.Niga
Posted at 10:14h, 10 January[…] http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2013/01/10/a-discussion-on-prince-in-2013 … […]
Mr7
Posted at 10:04h, 10 JanuaryJust create a pay-per-download site and charge per song or album. Simply create polls and feedback for what the majority of fans would like to hear and then provide it if appropriate/possible.
Make the site and transaction as clear, straightforward and transparent as possible.
I don’t think many fans will risk investing financially in a fan-operated venture or pooling finances communally before any new material is made available. Nor do I think any other pre-payment or subscriptions are particularly viable given past events.
Simply upload the new music for a reasonable price and most will pay the price. But the majority will need to see what they are getting first, before parting with any cash.
Jan
Posted at 09:55h, 10 January#1 I’ve always wanted to pay and payed for P’s music.I had a NPG Musicclub subscription which was fine … good music for a fair price. And also the chance to see him ‘ more private moments’ before the concerts. But P decided that he had to stop it (not me 🙂 ). A good chance for him to getting payed for his music missed. I paid 77 dollars for the Lotus Flower. But then i was stealed by P … For that money i only got a download of the albums and no promised t-shirt. And again P decided that he had to stop it (and not me 🙂 ). Another chance missed. And me leaving with the feeling to be stealed by P. But i still love his music. Have been to many of his concerts. I think P’s fanbase is declining very quick. Also because of his D&C reaction this week. his reaction on things most of the time look so negative. There’s no positive side. And i think in the end giving is more satisfying than recieving. That’s a mind set. Give it to us (for a fair price), don’t be afraid, don’t be so protective and you will get the fair amount of money for it and much more … Respect, a growing loyal base and much positive publicity. Beside that, money is not the essence of life (more so if you’ve enough to live). To me artistic development and sharing is much more import.
#2 Do it professionally, like many other artists. Don’t be afraid. And don’t stop before it’s even started. With a fanmade website i see all kind of troubles again (and P stop with it after a little while). And there is a good one … Prince.org. And many others where banned in the past. Again it’s a matter of P’s mindset. Again ask a fair price, deliver what you promise, don’ be afraid and it will be a great succes. If P is only there for the money it will be a failure. Again, because that’s not whats life is about.
# 3 Make it possible to buy your music and you problems with piracy will decline (but accept there will be thieves … as there are everywhere). Again it’s a mindset …. focus on the thieves and there will be more and more. Focus on the honest people and you’ll be surpriced how many there are. By the way with all P related people publishing the 3rd Eyed girl links it’s impossible for me to think P’s not involved (and i don’t like the game).
# 4 I respect Andy for her being open, communcative and sharing her talent. Bought her music and liked it very much.
# 5 It’s always good for P to play for people. But it’s for the happy few (living around MNLP). I think it’s positive but I can never be there (to far away for a Dutch man). I never understood why P is so protective for releasing more of his performances. Again if he released them more it would give him more respect and publicity. More people could see his brilliance on stage.
After giving my honest opinion, I have a question for P:
In many songs you tell us about your believes (love, faith, god). But why don’t you have faith in people, special those who like your music very much and respect you for that?
We aren’t all thieves 🙂 Many, many of us have payed allways (cd’s, concerts, NPGMC, Lotus Flower, etc.). And are willing to continue that, if it’s possible. But why ask our opinion if you know that allready?
You have to do what you have to do. I respect that. But I hope it will give me a more positive feeling in the near future. You’re a ‘once in a lifetime’ artist for me and hope stays that way. Excuse me for my bad english and typos.
newpowerfm
Posted at 09:38h, 10 JanuaryFree FLAC/mp3 Music downloads (clearbits.net) with Creative Commons license: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ ,fans distribute and donate a suggested $1 per liked song to NPG-Records paypal account.
Also SPOTIFY, IRC (resources offered: webchat, rss/announce/lastfm/fun-bots), BANDCAMP, YOUTUBE, SOUNDCLOUD, STREAMING-RADIO
And the children lived long and happy ever after.
Chocolatsis65
Posted at 09:30h, 10 JanuaryTopic #1. Agree with Shridevi and others regarding that, if it WAS him testing the waters to see how many would bite in a 24/48 hr. period so be it love the mystery always have.
#2. Sure I’d sign up, let others debate details I think youngens need to get hip to him anyway possible.
#3 Kinda covered in #1
#4 So glad people r standing up for her! The others or saying HE wrote everything… is ridiculous such an insult, one need only listen to her first album to know it’s her art! however influenced by her current surroundings of course. Definitely MORE than eye candy. A lovely; young courageous person finding her feet in a cutthroat biz, being blessed with the best musician and a very sweet man, but that negativity abounds when jealousy reigns in ur life.
#5 Ahh this is the one I care about, yes he may *be there* and for nights like that $15.00 is proly cool but, if he plays like he did last time for 3HRSZ then $40.00 is more than fair. Last minute shows like that I love because it keeps out more of the riffraff. If he needs to have more planned shows for those who travel here then more $ of course. However with as much as he seems to love Europe I think he will go there plenty this year and satisfy their need. It’s my need I’m worried bout jk Peace