Grammys Get Lowest Ratings Since 1995

Back in June of 2002, we wrote about the sorry state of the Grammys’ ratings and the recording industry in general in an early blog post.

Sadly, it looks like little has changed.

I can’t help but think though–as I’m blogging this, I have my copy of Cakewalk’s Sonar open, and I’m fiddling with a new composition. Given the amount of recording software that Cakewalk, Sony, Propellerhead and others sell, plus all the recording hardware that Fostex and Tascam sells, there’s got to be some great stuff being made.

So why isn’t it there when I turn on my radio?

(Probably for the same reason that the really interesting journalism and opinion is more and more in the Blogosphere, instead in the so-called mainstream media.)

Growing up, I never thought I’d become my father, forced to listen to older music because the recording industry essentially stopped producing music that appeals to me–but it looks like I’m not alone. As Glenn wrote back then, the Grammys’ low ratings belie the theory that piracy is killing the music industry. If everyone were simply pirating new music that they enjoyed, they’d still tune in to watch their favorite performers in a free network broadcast.

I think this is another example where the long tail comes into play. The Blogosphere has revolutionized how news and opinion is delivered. Somehow, a similar method has to be developed to get the music being made by those in the tail out to listeners who will appreciate it. And I’m not sure if the newly reconstituted Napster, et al is the optimum delivery system.