PSmith1946 wrote:What do you mean 'will be' we have been for years....
you are correct but imagine the situation 10 times worse? - At least now we do still have some bands/artists that become successful based on artistic talent but the way that the music industry is going those artists will become fewer and fewer as the industry craves quick fix x-factor type of success with what we hear and can purchase dictated by the giants who control so much.
And also be mindful that the future of the music industry is not about us oldies, (or even Joe), - it is about the kids and what music is available to them, AND most importantly the kids that pick up a guitar and try and emulate Joe. - Have a think back guys to what age you were when you first discovered your chosen favoured genre of music.
- There is resurgence of "classic" guitar based rock but is mostly around communities such as this forum, and the likes of Planet Rock, but the audience demographics might not be wide enough to sustain this niche of the music world going forward. There is some really good young talent out there the likes of VATA, Oli B, Simon McB etc but these guys need to all attract a younger fan base (my sons most worn tee shirt is his VATA Marshall gig one btw) as well as the oldies and that means more exposure which is about air play of more mainstream radio and mentions in music publications.... no need to start on the fake-ness of the likes of Rolling Stone, - but again another publication controlled by music company execs withe expense accounts...so artistic talent gets pushed to one side.
Have a think about the career of ZZ Top and how it dive bombed after their commercial success of the 80's/90's and what a missed opportunity that has been to the music world given that they are probably one of the tightest trio's to have ever played (and there is some stiff competition in there), - they should be filling stadiums around the world now.
Street Team you/we need to look at engagement of youth in my opinion, - I tried a while back to engage with you guys as part of "Blues in Schools" to coincide with Joe touring over here in the South East, but all I got back was a thanks will come back to you response and then nothing... 
Guitar based rock could go the same way that jazz has, which some may like as they get the self gratification of following a niche music genre, but to my mind the music is better than that.
Sermon over, sorry!
My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun
http://www.recordstoreday.com/Home 3 cheers Hip Hip ....
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