01.16.08 It’s A Bargain
Ever wonder how a lesser-known artist gets to open for the big guy you paid money to see? He pays.
Well, actually his label usually pays. How much? Depends.
There’s usually a bidding war for an opening slot on a big tour - because there aren’t many big tours in Christian music circles. Managers for potential openers sit down with label folks and decide how much can be afforded. Then they or the label talk with the headlining artist’s manager or label and make an offer. I’ve been in bidding wars that went upwards of $100,000. That’s right, $100,000 for twenty minutes on stage without my band, playing music no one came to hear while people are finding their seats - for only thirty nights. (You’d have to sell about 100,000 CDs to make back that kind of cash.)
The money goes to pay production costs (and a percentage goes to the manager). All that important tour gear has to get paid for somehow unless you want ticket prices to go up.
Anyway, that’s not the point of this post. The point is this: Mercy Me has a blog. (Wait for it.)
I never toured with these fellow Texans because the price tag was too rich for our blood (and our bank accounts). But I love these guys. My mom loves these guys. And my friend Brody says they need my help. So here’s what I’m gonna do. I’ll give Mercy Me a slot in my blogroll over there on the right - off on the side where few people read and click - for only $100,000. Unless someone else who needs my help offers me more.
Or maybe not. Maybe I’ll link to them just because, you know, I like what they’re about, we care about the same stuff, and they’re good at what they do and my mom and I like them.
Naaah. That’s crazy talk. I’ve got bills to pay.
No personal checks please.
Aims said:
What’s your charge for bounced non-personal checks?
Amy said:
I worked at a Compassion table at a MercyMe event and 113 kids were sponsored!
cool dad said:
Wow, your blogroll shrunk and is now rotating. Cool. I shudder to think how much it would cost a virtual no-name like us to get on there.
I think you’ll pull an easy 5-figures from the guys for that precious blogroll spot. In the blogosphere, Shlog is headlining and Mercy Me are the lesser-knowns! Sweet, sweet justice.
Thanks for the insight in the music industry also.
Thomas said:
Do you offer a easy three month payment plan? Otherwise, I will be a little late with my payment.
Thomas
Shaun Groves said:
Uhhhh no.
jason77 said:
too rich for my blood...do we get a rebate of some sort for having you on ours?
Shaun Groves said:
Yes. If you link to me your inclusion in the blogroll is free. Also, if you let me rise your scooter your inclusion in the blogroll is free. And if you buy me TexMex the next time I’m in your neighborhood your inclusion in the blogroll is free, if your neighborhood is Texas.
Mark said:
I’m glad I link to you. I couldn’t aford $100K this year. (Or next year. Or the year after that....)
Shaun Groves said:
Pick the word that best describes this blog post:
A) Funny
B) Negative
C) Educational
D) Demeaning
E) Mean
F) Unintelligible
G) A Waste Of Time
H) Positive
I) Shiny
J) Sesquipedalianistic
J) None Of The Above
There seems to be a bit of a dispute. I think Shiny. Be honest. It’s Shiny isn’t it?
keith said:
K) Linky
Shaun Groves said:
Mmmm. Linky. I feel ya.
shaunfan said:
Shiny. Definitely shiny. See attached lyrics for definition of shiny. I knew there was a connection between Shaun and Michael Stipe. Now I’ve got it.
http://www.lyricsdomain.com/18/rem/shiny_happy_people.html
cool dad said:
If I had a scooter, I’d let you ride it.
If we lived in Texas, I’d buy you Tex-Mex.
But neither of those conditions are met, so you have a positive, shiny, non-sesquipedalianistic link on our blog now.
Pat Callahan said:
Funny AND Shiny
shaunfan said:
By the way, “Shiny Happy People” was one of the songs on “Do You Know The Lyrics?” last night. The missing line was “Love Me Love Me” which was so funny since I had posted the lyrics here. Another reason to read Shlog daily, could help you win a game show.
loren said:
!!!Here is an idea!!!
Have a contest to see what up and coming artist can sponsor the most kids in a specific amount of time from their website/blog (assuming thats trackable) and let them open for you!
Shaun Groves said:
Let me ponder...and confer with the powers that be.
said:
Hey it’s $200,000 and the scooters are for exercise!!!!!! Hi Shaun!
Shaun Groves said:
Wow, that M shaped confetti must have gone up in price.
Good to hear from you, Bart. It’s been a while. Glad YOU can take a joke.
And, again, welcome to the blogosphere. Brody hooked you guys up right nice I think. Hope you’re getting lots of hits from this and all the other links you’re getting this week.
Oh, and I’m free for a scooter ride and some Tex-Mex any time.
portorikan said:
Wow… people pay to go on tour. That’s befuddling (and that is a real word otherwise safari would’ve picked up on it… I think).