Garth Brooks Gives NEW Definition to the word "sellout"

Published on August 20, 2005 By Gideon MacLeish In Current Events

OK, I could give two shits on this one since I am about as likely to buy a Garth Brooks album as I am to contribute money knowingly to the DNC, but still (shakes head)...

According to the link, Brooks has signed an exclusive distribution deal with WalMart and Sam's Club. That's right, when Garth puts out more music, it will only be available in the censored music capitol of the world.

Now, distribution deals like this are nothing new. In fact, they're appearing to be all the rage, to my chagrin as I wouldn't mind listening to Allison Krause's new CD, but lack of proximity to a Cracker Barrel and an unwillingness to enter a debit card number on a library computer make that a statistical unlikelihood...but I digress. But I can't help but think that an artist's artistic integrity, if they had any, would suffer greatly with such an exclusive deal. And I would fear that an artist bound by such exclusive terms might be tempted to name drop on a coupla tracks. In Garth's case, it might mean that references to Stetson hats, the standard of the country music set, are verbotten, since such hats aren't available at Wally World.

But, it's his life, I guess (shrug).

Comments (Page 2)

Daiwa

on Aug 21, 2005

That's a fair criticism, terp, but you might feel differently if your intellectual property was being passed around for free. Whether you agree with the principle or not, at least he was standing up for a principle.

Cheers,
Daiwa

Daiwa

on Aug 21, 2005

terp -

Cracker Barrel sticks to the interstates and are primarily traveler-focused. I was back in northern VA last year & seem to recall seeing a sign or two for CB as we headed from Dumfries up to BWI. There are 3 CB's in the Phoenix area but all are on the outskirts and on freeways. They don't go "in-town" anywhere as far as I know.

And I absolutely love Allison Krauss, have forever, even before AKUS.

Cheers,
Daiwa

ParaTed2k

on Aug 21, 2005

I gave up on Garth Brooks when he proved to be a total @#$@# about Napster back in it's heyday. Not that musicians and artists don't deserve to get paid for their work, but he was such a @#$@#$ about it, he turned me off for life.

I started ignoring the Record Company's line about "artists getting paid for their songs" when I learned that Britney Spears had (at the time) sold 40 million CDs and is worth $40 million. When you consider how much she has made from touring, commercials and public appearances, it is clear to me that the recording industry makes sure they are paid well before the artist ever sees a dime from the songs they record.

Gideon MacLeish

on Aug 21, 2005

Oh, I don't care that Garth chose to go this route...in fact, although I am not partial to his music, I have quite a bit of respect for him in the way he has stepped out of the limelight to concentrate on what he feels is important rather than serve the almighty buck.

The only thing that concerns me, though, is that when this trend begins to limit my access to music I DO enjoy (the Alison Krause example, for instance), it has the potential to be disturbing. Add to that the fact that a company with such an exclusive contract can charge whatever they want for the product, ironically INCREASING the chance that the work will be bootlegged.

Crazy world, I tells ya.

msladydeath

on Aug 21, 2005

If I hear a song I like, then I like it, no matter who the artist is, what he/she supports or whatever. Good music is good music. I'll still listen to Garth's music, I just probably will not buy the album. Same with Dixie Chicks, Krauss, Toby Keith, Metallica, and whatever other band goes sellout (or in some cases, just says not so smart things in public). It don't change their tallent for music.

Dr Guy

on Aug 21, 2005

Crazy world, I tells ya.

Said the Jabberwockey. Yep! You cant pick based upon your beliefs unless you dont want to hear all that you like.

bakerstreet

on Aug 21, 2005

"The only thing that concerns me, though, is that when this trend begins to limit my access to music I DO enjoy (the Alison Krause example, for instance), it has the potential to be disturbing. Add to that the fact that a company with such an exclusive contract can charge whatever they want for the product, ironically INCREASING the chance that the work will be bootlegged."

That's the free market, though. It isn't about idealism, it is about profit. The only remedy would be, say, more legislation on anti-competitive practices.

Anyway, like I said, I bet this isn't permanent. This is just a way to make more per CD for the initual surge of interest, and then it won't be exclusive anymore. There's no way Garth Brooks would allow Wal-Mart to decide when his CD isn't profitable anymre, and given their selection, they won't think so for long.

GhoS

on Aug 23, 2005

I agree that Garth has a right to do this if he wishes, but I don't feel overall it is a good move for consumers. All of sudden we are getting our choices taken away. Believe me it is starting small and innocent but it could easily gain steam if these moves prove successful.
Electronics Arts (EA) recently bought the rights to NFL football so only they could create games based on football using real NFL names and locations. I feel this should be illegal since it stiffles competition, it is a monopoly of sorts. There is little incentive for EA to do much except what little is necessary to sell more units each year.

It probably doesn't compare directly to Garth Brooks, but it is a deal that impacts consumers all the same. Personally I can't understand why a performer would want to limit the availability of their music. Sure most people live near a Walmart and those who don't may not live near much of anything. However if I enjoy Garth's music, why should I be forced to buy it from Walmart? In fact I have found other stores selling music cheaper than Walmart on many occaisions. Also Walmart doesn't have as deep a selection of music as many other locations.
I also wonder why they would do this when Garth isn't planning new music last I heard. Unless that is going to change in the future. So perhaps the impact isn't that high, but I just don't like the precident this is setting.
What's going to happen eventually is we'll have to go to Walmart to buy Garth Brooks, but if I want another artist that signed an exclusive at another store, guess what...... I gotta go someplace else. People will give up and say screw it, its easier to download it for free. They could pay for it that way, but again probably have to jump through more hoops. I can't believe the largest chain in the world needs exclusives to woo customers.

Rightwinger

on Aug 23, 2005

Garth Brooks is the shit....one of the best balladeers of the last two decades or so. If he wants to sell his records exclusively at Wally World, that's his deal, lterally. Does this mean we can expect more music from the retired Mr. Brooks? I hope so. I've always liked him.
Besides....think about it. With a Wal-Mart, Super Wal-Mart or Sam's Club positioned every hundred yards or so as they are, how is this deal going to hurt his sales?

dawn

on Aug 26, 2005

I lost alot of respect for Mr Brooks years ago. I am not going to buy his CD's from any store, whether they are at Walmart or not. Sara Evans is another matter...I am anxiously awaiting her next CD...

new-age nomad

on Sep 01, 2005

who cares where someone sells cd's? Everyone just burns anyway!

Trinitie

*sidenote: All of you who are complaining about looting, do you download?

MUDDSLINGIN72

on Sep 02, 2005

FOR SOMEONE THAT LISTENS TO FUCKED UP MUSIC YOU SURE HAVE SOME BALLS TALKING SHIT ABOUT GARTH BROOKS. YOU DON'T KNOW SHIT EXCEPT THE BULL SHIT THAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

MUDDSLINGIN72

on Sep 02, 2005

HEY DAIWA,
I RESPECT YOUR COMMENT TOWARDS GARTH BROOKS, YOU'RE RIGHT HE IS THE REAL DEAL AND HE IS A REAL NICE GUY. LOVE HIS MUSIC, LOVE HIM AND ALL THE THINGS HE'S DONE FOR PEOPLE.
LOVE JEREMY

Dr Guy

on Sep 02, 2005

*sidenote: All of you who are complaining about looting, do you download?

No.

new-age nomad

on Sep 02, 2005

I think you'd be the only one, Dr. Guy.

Trinitie

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