Are you too old for the music business?

Mar 12th, 2004 | By Staff | Category: Editorial

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According to Bobby Borg’s article in Music Connection Magazine Vol. XXVII, No. 03, you probably are too old for a typical mainstream recording career.

Major labels tend to favor artists in the 18-25 age groups. Why? Because as one A & R stated, “It may seem harsh, but it doesn’t make sense to invest in older race horses when you can get the younger thoroughbreds crossing the finish line for years to come.� Yea, that’s harsh!

In Borg’s article, “Is Time Running Out,� he interviewed three artists over age 30 that have made successful music careers for themselves outside of performing. Borg interviewed Cheri Lovedog (wrote the movie, “Prey for Rock & Roll), Bernard Yin (owns & operates an internet-based music licensing company), and Derek Sivers (CD Baby).

Create longevity in the music business by blending your performance career with “business-related� support roles. Business-related careers include personal/business management, publicity, music supervision, music education, journalism, musical equipment design and distribution, your own label, or (like Derek) your own sales/distribution company.

Personally, I do not believe that over 30’s are obsolete; they just need to diversify, diversify, diversify.

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