RTP-area local music and culture

[local506 AT gmail.com]

I'm not sure there is any local artist who would not disagree with
this concept...and who isn't already trying to implement it. The
problem is that attaining 1000 die-hard fans isn't as easy as it
sounds. I think the point being made, which we are all aware, is that
when you hit that plateau, you have two options - invest more and try
to reach even more die-hard fans or cultivate and cater to those 1000
fans.  But that's always been the case.  Given two local examples from
last decade: when Superchunk hit that crossroads, they chose to keep
the smaller audience and the greater returns whereas, maybe, Ben Folds
5 chose to expand their (now his) audience by signing with a bigger
label taking more money upfront but earning less per fan.

But what I've found locally is that earning a fan that's willing to
pay a cover, much less buy a CD is difficult.  Even though Local 506
hosts plenty of CD release shows, a much lesser percentage of people
actually buy the band's CD (much less shirts or other merch.)  How
many local bands have even SOLD over one-thousand CDs recently?

And a CD purchase alone doesn't even suggest die-hard fan. I mean, I
am currently listening to the AC Newman CD I just "purchased" (on
eMusic) and not even sure I'll make it to his show next month.

Glenn

ps: With that said, I enjoyed the Sound Opinion gathering, although I
wish those guys had been on barstools are something - I might as well
been listening on the radio!