1 (edited by Keith 2009-03-06 08:20:41)

Topic: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with legendary drummer Butch Trucks of The Allman Brothers Band for an exclusive interview. During the conversation we discussed the upcoming Beacon Theatre run, March 9th -28th, the Moogis.com webcast of the shows, the rumors of Eric Clapton sitting in with the band, Duane Allman, the possibilities of a new studio album from the band and much more.

A short excerpt from the interview follows below :

NHOR : What's coming next for the Allman Brothers Band? It's been 6 years since the release of 'Hittin' The Note' in 2003. Can we expect a new studio album anytime soon?

Butch Trucks : I don't know. With the state of the music industry, the record industry specifically these days, I don't really see the reason why. You damn sure don't do it to make money anymore. In fact, you lose a lot of money going into the studio. It's very expensive. Once kids started the whole Napster, stealing music online, I don't think they understood what they were doing. Because by doing this, they've made it so that the major bands won't go in the studio and spend that money to make records anymore. Because what's the point? If people are going to steal it, you're going to lose money, so a lot of music that would've been made, that people could have enjoyed and listened to, never got made. It's getting much worse. There are fewer and fewer major records being made, in terms of studio albums. That being said, we've always been a live band anyway. I tend to think, there's a lot of new material floating around we'd have liked to have worked up, but we just had two weeks of rehearsal. We had to spend just about all those two weeks learning a whole bunch of songs to play with all the guests who are coming to sit in with us. So we didn't get a lot of time to work on our own material. But at some point we will.

I tend to think rather than wasting six figures in a major recording studio that we'll just work up this material and start recording us playing them live. We record every show that we do on 72 track digital, so I tend to think our next album will be a compilation of new material that we've recorded live on the road. That way, we put it out, the expense is minimal, because we expect sales to be minimal. Right now the #1 seller of songs in the world is iTunes. Kids don't go to the store and buy CD's much anymore.

NHOR : Many of the brick and mortar stores are closing up shop today anyway...

BT : You're right, record stores are closing. Like I said, it's very difficult to sell your product anymore. People have to understand that this is the way we make our living. It just frustrates the hell out of me. If you've got somebody who works in a store making clocks, how would they feel if it was their store making clocks and everybody just walked in, picked them up and walked out with them? Are they going to keep making clocks? It is the same concept. No one would just normally walk into a store, pick up a shirt and walk our with it, but they don't seem to have any qualms at all about stealing songs. Like I said, these songs cost us a lot of time and money and effort. It's what we do so that we can feed our families, pay our rent. Luckily, as The Allman Brothers we do quite well playing live concerts, so we've been able to feed our families and pay our rent. In fact, it's got really good the past several years.

To read the entire interview go to this location :

http://nightwatchershouseofrock.blogspo … eatre.html

Nightwatcher's House Of Rock
http://nightwatchershouseofrock.blogspot.com/
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Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

The Point of all this?  The world is changing.  I'm NOT saying he's wrong.  The old business models don't work like they used to.  Adapt or quit?

MuchChange

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

3 (edited by suhl 2009-03-10 00:26:21)

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

If i could afford to pay for all the cd's i want i would, but with my budget i can't.  plus a lot of music i like isn't sold at the local record store.  jeff's resonse was pretty right on, trucks is coming off almost like a bitter old man, but on the same token i agree with him.  to an extent.

but we really don't need another album from abb.  they are arguably the best live band going today and all the members have other bands i'd rather hear new work from, particularily warren and derek.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

If wine and pills were hundred dollar bills
I might keep you satisfied

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

If you can't pay for it, don't get it. I'm sorry, but he's right. Illegal downloading sucks. Don't do it.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

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Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

suhl, with all due respect I think you are being just a bit harsh to call him a 'bitter old man'.

What he said is absolutely true about it being theft. We are not talking about copying the odd album for a friend and then later the friend goes out to get the album themselves.

There has developed a very strange attitude with music, as in, if it is music it is fine to steal it and if you dare to say so you are accused of being behind the times 'man' or 'dude' etc.

If I stole your car, record collection, mp3 player, fridge, washing machine (you fill in whatever item you want) I don't think you would sit there and calmly say "nice one, enjoy"

I agree the business model has to change, but that shouldn't involve or justify the wholesale theft of music as many seem to think is their right to do.

I know people who have literally downloaded hundreds and hundreds of albums via P2P and I know for a fact that they will never listen to most of them once they have them.

Just to be clear, I am not a professional musician with an axe to grind. I am on long term Incapacity Benefit here in the UK and I am married with 3 young children to support so my finances are severely limited and as such I have to pick and choose with care which material I invest my meagre funds in; of course I make sure to invest in JB. big_smile

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

not justifying anything, it is just on the list of the world's problems, i think this doesn't even blip the radar.  especially with money problems.  to me mixing art and money is...can't think of the word.  a necessary evil.  it is just wrong, but money exists so i guess now we have to.

i am glad to see musicians will still play.  i don't blame them for bitching, were i in their position, i would too, for a time, until i realize it made no difference.  but it is good to see money isn't all they play for.

for the record, i buy more music than most people, but want to hear more than i can afford.  it is greed i guess.  somehow i don't feel the least bit bad about it.  and by the way if my paychecks just started disappearing i'd quit my job.  then again, i'm not in the allman brothers.  butch trucks should thank god he is doing something that is literally priceless.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

If wine and pills were hundred dollar bills
I might keep you satisfied

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

I think there's a difference between the paycheck disappearing and having it stolen from you. This is their job, this is what they do. I have bought every piece of music I have, because I want to pay the people who give me so much pleasure, and I want them to continue to be able to play and put out music. It is wrong to steal from these people. I'm not budging on that issue. Just as it is wrong to shoplift or embezzle, it is wrong to illegally download music. Just because it is "on the list of the world's problems" doesn't mean it shouldn't be dealt with.

Here at ATU, the record industry cracked down hard. Anybody who was caught downloading ATU's server had to pay $700 a song in fines. One girl had to file for bankruptcy because she couldn't afford because she had downloaded like 1500 songs. I say good. You shouldn't do that. Pay the artists!

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

My ReverbNation page for Dees & Friends - check us out!
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Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

I have a full time gig, and a Salsa business and I'm a gigging musician.  I still struggle to pay the bills.  I have 3 teenagers; 1 in college.  College boy spends more on Itunes than on food some months.

I taught them early that burning a copy of something musical for dad or uncle, brother or sister was OK.  Downloading from illegal servers was not only wrong, it was dangerous from a virus, sharing and lawsuit point of view.

Ask Danny!

I think that in the end you have to do what you can live with.  You can do anything you want if you're willing to pay the price.  I have tried to teach them that the climate nowadays of entitlement is not only irritating to me, it's certain ruination.

They want it, they work for it.

BigJeff the Tyrant smile

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

I agree that downloading music and not paying for it is theft, plain and simple.
I believe the vast majority of people understand that and will pay for it, rather than steal.

As far as the comment that these same people would not think of walking into a store and stealing a clock or a shirt or whatever:
Stealing is stealing and if these same people knew they could do it without getting caught, you better believe they'd be taking it out by the wheelbarrow.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"

10

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

I agree with everything Butch said, it's no different than stealing anything else.

That being said...record companies have been ripping off musicians since the beginning of the business, and it's always been only the top sellers that have made money selling their records, the rest have always made most of their money from touring and merch sales.

As Joe has said, this is a new business model. Cut out the middle man (big record companies), because they are mostly unnecessary now due to the internet, and market the product directly to the end user (online activity, touring, promotion etc).

Butch made a good point about some good music that may never get heard, but there is also much more of an opportunity for new bands to get their music heard due to the internet and digital recording advancement. Change happens!

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

Bill S wrote:

I agree that downloading music and not paying for it is theft, plain and simple.
I believe the vast majority of people understand that and will pay for it, rather than steal.

As far as the comment that these same people would not think of walking into a store and stealing a clock or a shirt or whatever:
Stealing is stealing and if these same people knew they could do it without getting caught, you better believe they'd be taking it out by the wheelbarrow.

Bill, I agree wholeheartedly.  When I was in retail management we went through a loss prevention course.  At that course we were given some interesting information.  Statistics show that in the general population 10% of the population will never steal, ie. they find a $100 bill on the ground they take it to the police station in hopes to get it back to its rightful owner.  Then on the other hand there are 10% in the population that are professional thieves.  These folks stop at nothing to take what isn't theirs.  That leaves 80% of the population.  80% of the population can be swayed one way or the other based on circumstances.   The key here is to put into place some kind of deturant so that the 80% are swayed towards the honest side.  Statistically speaking this could be huge problem.  So my suggestion is this,  If you are in the 80% just think twice.  These artists make their living recording music.  If only 10% buy the music and the other 90% take it, it won't be long until the whole music industry completely collapses.  Let's just keep it honest!!!  Support the artist by buying their music!

"It was a new day yesterday, but its an old day now."  -  JB cool

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

Basically, it's like my dad says: "A lock on your door won't stop the people who want to steal your stuff. If they want it, they'll get in. But the lock is on there to keep the honest people honest."

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

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Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

The way i look at it, if i don't download a lot of this stuff, i'm never going to hear it.  i buy a lot of what i can but i share and download a lot too, trying to make my purchases with less established artists.  if i ever get arrested, i won't say i didn't deserve it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

If wine and pills were hundred dollar bills
I might keep you satisfied

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

suhl wrote:

The way i look at it, if i don't download a lot of this stuff, i'm never going to hear it.  i buy a lot of what i can but i share and download a lot too, trying to make my purchases with less established artists.  if i ever get arrested, i won't say i didn't deserve it.


Well, it's a hard knock life.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

My ReverbNation page for Dees & Friends - check us out!
www.reverbnation.com/deesfriends

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

bigjeffjones wrote:

The Point of all this?  The world is changing.  I'm NOT saying he's wrong.  The old business models don't work like they used to.  Adapt or quit?

MuchChange

It appears they have changed. No more studio albums. The change was made because the market changed for whatever reason. He clearly says that there is no point in it -- you can't make money doing it, so no need to do it.

They are fortunate because they have a huge catalog of music that is well known that people will still pay to see live. Others don't have that situation.

So, you get the Papa Roach, Saving Abel, Buckcherry new albums and CD's. Bankrolled and booked by LiveNation at LiveNation controlled venues, tickets by Ticketmaster (a LiveNation company), and airplay by ClearChannel.

Established bands tour on the old catalog, new guys in smaller genres work out of their own hip pocket.

That's the business model change.

Personally this is a case of newer isn't always better.

**disclaimer -- that doesn't imply I don't like the bands mentioned; its just how the deal operates these days.

“A friend is someone that will help you move............a TRUE friend will help you move the bodies." -- anon

16 (edited by jc 2009-03-12 04:20:41)

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

in my opinion you will never stop people from downloading anything...if you want it stopped you sue the people that offer it for free...why arrest the little guy (too many of them)when for a lot less effort you can get more of a result by arresting the site that provides the download....dont shoot the customer...blow up the store...:lol:

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Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

Kind of a left turn here, but so far here are the guests who have been at the Beacon shows :

First night : Levon Helm from The Band and blues great Taj Mahal.

2nd night : Johnny Winter and David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos.

3rd night : Buddy Guy, Trey Anastasio and Paige McConnell of Phish

Nightwatcher's House Of Rock
http://nightwatchershouseofrock.blogspot.com/
Now featured on Planet Rock, The Chicago Sun Times and The Mog Music Network
Also featured on antiMUSIC's RockNewsinfo at http://www.antimusic.com/rocknews/

18 (edited by Rocket 2009-03-15 05:34:02)

Re: Butch Trucks :"I Don't See The Reason For A New Allman Brothers Album"

Keith wrote:

Kind of a left turn here, but so far here are the guests who have been at the Beacon shows :

First night : Levon Helm from The Band and blues great Taj Mahal.

2nd night : Johnny Winter and David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos.

3rd night : Buddy Guy, Trey Anastasio and Paige McConnell of Phish

The guests are awesome Keith! Regarding the prior slant this topic took, hell they are likely making a DVD (or would be business savvy to do so wink )and gonna make a fortune, UHM- ahem, AGAIN... So I don't accept the bitching.  The Allman Brothers Band has always been one of my all time favorite bands-son's partly named after one of 'em for crying out loud!.  The music biz is the same it has ALWAYS been-sink or swim! The business model IS changed, not necessarily for the worse, whether the far better remains to be seen.  Butch needs to understand that, like Bob Dylan said years ago....

The Times, they are a-changing, and if your head ain't gettin' smart, A Hard Rains-A-Gonna-Fall. So...

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

and another thing....artists / would be artists / some REALLY good groups couldn't get a foot in the door back in the day because of bands spending 6 figures (getting HUGE advances to get high on in MANY cases I might add) on recording studio time for albums.  DIY in the '80's and MIDI and computers have changed all that.  Surf's up, so ride the wave is what I say.  Or drown.  Closing, whatever happened to music for the JOY of it??? (does it get downloaded for free? Is that the only way to enjoy it? I think not! You pay sometimes cuz sometimes you get what you pay for wink )

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
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