Greatest Hits, After the Hit Makers Are Gone
When record labels put out greatest hits albums for artists who are no longer on the company roster, who makes money? The labels, obviously. But what about the artists? I hope in this case Chris Cagle and Gretchen Wilson get a big piece of the well-deserved greatest hits pie. They are after all, their hits. Without Cagle, Capitol Records wouldn't have the ability to throw together an album with chart-toppers like "Laredo," "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out" and "What a Beautiful Day." And without Wilson, Columbia Nashville would not have the means to get songs like "Homewrecker," "When I Think About Cheatin'," "California Girls" and "Politically Uncorrect"(the one with Merle Haggard) collected in one place. Wilson's Greatest Hits is due out on Jan. 19. Best of Chris Cagle is due out Feb. 9. And I will be buying them both and crossing my fingers that it puts a little more cash in both of their pockets.
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Muzik says:
I hope they get a ton of money too!
hotelmotel says:
I have my doubts as to whether these CDs are going to sell very many copies.
me says:
Love both Chris and Gretchen! Would be a nicce change from the same 4 people hogging the tube(taylor, carrie, carrie, taylor) last year. Resolution for CMT 2010: Play more variety, go back to music videos during the day. Who cares about most of the shows on channel at this time?
raine says:
Excellent question…obviously the labels will make coin with these “best of” releases..and agreeably the artists should have a share in this as they are the ones who have put their blood, sweat and tears into each & every song.
Here’s a question, are the artists supporting the release of these albums or just letting by-gones be by-gones,take what they can get and move on?
hotelmotel says:
raine says, “the artists should have a share in this as they are the ones who hae put their blood, sweat and tears into each & every song.”
I don’t think that principle can work. Why? Because other ex-employees at the labels have “put their blood, sweat and tears” into the careers of Gretchen and Cagle. Should those employees who made Gretchen a hit the first time, but now are long gone, get a cut of the album profits?
I think the way to determine whether Gretchen and Cagle should get any money would be to look at their contracts and see what was agreed to.
Owen says:
Chris Cagle’s greatest hits? Now THAT’S funny! Same goes for Wilson. Both are washed up, and they won’t get a dime of any sales from these, which won’t be much anyway. A few songs that country radio overplayed to the point of nausea.
JimmyJames says:
“Without Cagle, Capitol Records wouldn’t have the ability to throw together an album with chart-toppers…”
Lol. Come on Alison, you’re supposed to be the expert. Don’t you have any idea how the business works? Without Capitol, Cagle wouldn’t have a career.
Most artists have very little say in their career, and that includes what gets released and when. These ‘Hits’ packages are just a way for the labels to make a few extra $$$.
Like other have already said, both discs will sell very few copies. Gretchen and Chris will probably make nothing off the albums, but at least they can still play casinos and make an okay living.
hotelmotel says:
Does Alison really not know the answer to the question or is she kinda feigning ignorance for the sake of the blog. If she does know, and she thinks it important, why not blog about it? And if she doesn’t know, and thinks it important, why not find the answer and report on it? I realize this is a blog and not exactly investigative reporting, but still.
rebelyell says:
Ill be there Jan. 19,2010 to get my hits of Gretchen. Even though I already have all the songs with the exception of Barracuda. Our Redneck Women was born to sing all Wilson songs. I know I have listened many times and will continue to.
BTW I know this has nothing to do with this particular blog. I just have to say The Charlie Daniels and the Geico commercial is one of the coolest commercials I have seen in a long time.