Do You Want to Be An "Oldie But Goodie"?

How do you define "oldie but goodie"? An "oldie but goodie " is "n. something (or even someone) that is old but still likable. For example, Mary is an oldie but goodie. I'm glad she's still around (https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/oldie+but+goodie)."

In this article, I am using the phrase "oldie but goodie" to describe artists in the music industry. In the same context, it is used. However, there is a little twist to it. Those of you reading this article, I have some questions for you. First, do you work in the music industry? Are you a singer, musician, songwriter, etc?

Also, if you are, did your music top the charts or at least make the top 50? My questions have a purpose, whether you are in the music industry or not. It concerns the "bread and butter" of your business as an artist. For me, as a fan and a customer, it's about seeing you at an event and having admiration and respect for who you are.

I would like to extend the following message to performing artists/musicians:

If you are in the music industry and have topped the charts, do you plan to stay there? Are you planning to continue making music? Have you set any goals to write and/or to continue to write, record, and perform new material? This also applies to the world's "one hit wonders". Let's say you have had 1-5 hits on the charts.

You have released 10 albums or fewer. Are you planning to play only songs from these albums for the rest of your performing career? Do you still perform these same songs after all these years? Have ten years passed? How about twenty or more?

If so, are you comfortable with your life as it is? Here are some more questions for you. When the music stops, what happens? As a performer, what happens if and when you stop performing? Will you consider changing careers by becoming an actor, actress, porn star, restaurant owner, spokesperson for humanitarian and/or pet causes, clothing designer, inventor, talk show host, or reality star? What about V. star, or similar?

Fans:

This particular part of this article is directed towards the customers, who are usually the fans (and the public) who love music and their favorite performer(s) in the music business. When your favorite music artist(s) stops performing (especially when too much time passes) what usually happens?

The "one hit wonders of the world" (as well as performers who have been absent for more than ten years) are included. These individuals just seem to "fall off the map", don't they? Yep. So it seems. Nevertheless, it is not so bad these days. YouTube is now available. Before YouTube, it was difficult to find a performer's music if they were not even a chart-topper or famous.

Some record labels decided not to distribute music from those artists. This is what I found out when I tried to order myself a CD from the rap artist J.R. Swinga. Everywhere I looked, I couldn't find his CD. On one occasion, I visited my grandmother Virgie in Los Angeles, California (R.I.P., she had died a day before Thanksgiving 2020). My only option was to purchase the Nubian Mob CD, but not J.R. Swinga. One, because the worker at the music store told me that the record company had ceased releasing his music. ??????????????I wanted to hear "Chocolate City". Thanks to YouTube, I can listen to his song all day long.

Prior to YouTube, most chart toppers and other performers had a harder time making money if they stopped performing altogether without a backup plan and/or money. As the performers appeared to "fade into oblivion," the fans and customers often forgot about them for a while as well.

As a result, the public thought about them occasionally (this pattern continues). Usually, if someone cared about these stars and had/had a popular television show or something, we as fans would see an episode of "Where Are They Now"? Or, something like that. Occasionally, we might even hear our favorite singer on a radio show.

You (God forbid) might even forget their names if they became less active and less in demand over time! My God! What a nightmare! Because, you may have your favorite song stuck in your head and can barely remember three of those lyrics! Or you might remember your favorite performer's look and the television show or program where their video appeared. And, that particular program does not air anymore and barely appears on any searches you do on the internet.

When this happens, it really does seem as if an artist "fell off the map". What then becomes the question, "Where are they?"

Now, what usually happens when that performer is no longer in the limelight? There are some who wind up in the Enquirer, Star Magazine, or some other type of gossip column. Some people become homeless, decide to live in abandoned trailer parks and become stereotypical individuals labeled as "trailer trash", who may eventually blend into the public and become a "has been" or "old news".

They may, if they are lucky, get invited to join a show as a "special guest" without any commitments for future episodes. Some turn to drugs, become ill, and die poor. It's not until you see a newscaster or someone mentioning their passing that you find out what happened to them. Or watch a brief television obituary on Entertainment Tonight. This doesn't happen to every beloved performer.

Some are more fortunate than others. "Old school" begins after a well known performer has been performing for more than 25 years. Once that happens, their hits are usually included on music collection compilation CDs. While the good old money does not usually continue to rake in as much as it used to, it is still remembered.

Some of these artists would be performing at a UNCF (United Negro College Fund) benefit concert show if Lou Rawls were still alive (R.I.P.). The story doesn't end there. In the case of those artists and groups who continue to entertain and are remembered after twenty-five years, they become more than just "old school".

A nostalgic "blast from the past: an oldie but a goodie", like a 1950s "doo-wap" group. The music is old like the days when poodle skirts whizzed by while you waited for the carhop at Sonic to deliver your delicious fish sandwich, onion rings, and slushy.

In addition, these same artists who continue to perform without producing new music are usually seen where? Occasionally, we see them in casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. There are other "old school", "oldie but goodie", and "living legends" who are less fortunate still.

As fans, we must make "in demand requests" online to have these entertainers come to our town(s). If enough people request that these entertainers come to our city(ies), then it's "on and poppin'". Eventually, the concert is scheduled, and we get to watch them perform. Sometimes, things bloom from there.

In general, the artist(s) becomes more in demand, sometimes decides to drop a new album, may be invited to be on The View, Entertainment Tonight, or some other show. Maybe a different record label will sign them, and voilà! A previously neglected artist(s) is back on track!

Now, back to the artist(s):

Would you like to be an oldie but a goodie? What do you want to accomplish besides being "still around"? Is it your intention to become stale in the business and with your fans? If not, continue to perform and make new music. Tour! Stay in the public eye (if your health and other factors allow), but remember to take a break occasionally.

If you need to take a break, you should do so between 1 and 6 weeks and no longer than 7 years. If so, then so be it! You'll still be loved, no matter what! It may be difficult financially if you don't have a nest egg to fall back on. Write music and keep writing music. A brainstorming session would be helpful if you are having trouble coming up with ideas.

Bring your creative juices to life! You may need to take a look back at your past in order to remember how you got that hit. What made that song or songs special? That background. Those arrangements. The songwriter and/or collaborator. If necessary, find new material.

Are you friends with any successful music producers, either past or present? How about award-winning songwriters, singers, or rappers? Step outside your "comfort zone" and think outside the box! Keep composing songs and albums (if you wish, and your life situation(s), and health allow you). It is important that they are widely available for purchase.

If you can, sell your songs one single at a time. An album with four great singles makes a hit album(usually)! You may win a Grammy with seven! Get off your bum and get to work! Become something more than just an "oldie but goodie". Do not stagnate! Success is just around the corner! You can do it!

Don't just "count your blessings". Thank the creator for giving them to you. Then, thank all of those who care about you and your fans.