In the heyday of major record labels, the labels were selling to young demographics because teenagers had money and needed something cool and exciting to spend it on.
And so…labels signed young artists to market to the young demo. This system launched a lot of artists we know and love.
So on the other hand…if you weren’t young you weren’t going to get signed and therefore no marketing and radio and it was going to be impossible to become a superstar.
But now…major labels have less power than ever. Promotion and marketing and streaming and large segments of markets don’t care how old someone is. The playing field isn’t level but it’s more level than it’s ever been.
We don’t have to wait for a radio interview or RollingStone article to keep up with an artist or hear about a new one. Everyday we’re following along with all kinds of creative people. Middle aged stars, and stars of all sorts, can happen now. And are happening.
»» Of course ‘star’ doesn’t mean what it used to. But I think you get it.
