The article continues, pointing out that the majority of performing artists, as well as those in groups and casts, are well over 40 and many are not making new albums. The costs to attend their concerts are off-the-wall as well as the cost of their memorabilia …. And shows and concerts are being cancelled due to lack of ticket sales.

Was it just yesterday that a group of family and friends could pile in a car and see the best bands and recording stars in concert and end the evening with pizza and pitchers of beer?… Ah, but those were the good ol’ days. Concerts are for special occasions now … like birthdays and anniversaries, vacations…or for free passes. Not many music fans can afford the concert luxury today on a weekly basis.

During the time the “Truth in Music” laws were first introduced, much of the talk was about how the real artists were losing work at their rate of $50,000 and more per show because the “fake” groups were charging in the ballpark of $5,000 or less while the real groups tickets per show were $100 or more and the “fake” group’s tickets were in the neighborhood of $20 or less.
Of course the argument quickly resolved to the fact that they were talking about those artists and groups who did not clearly state in their show posters and advertising that they were Tribute Artists… and not the real thing. The name of the bill was changed to “The Truth in Advertising Music Laws.”

They just didn’t get it!!! Did the passage of the bill in every State with heavy fines solve the problem? The real artists are still charging heavy ticket prices but are working less while the Tribute Artists are complying with the laws in their advertising, performing “in tribute” to the celebrities they emulate, and, in essence, they are performing a living –image – advertisement of the celebrities, keeping the stars in the public eye. The Tribute Artist’s Industry of living celebrities would quickly go down the tube if the real celebrities performed at the tribute’s rates. But why should they? They are the stars!