TALK ABOUT MUSIC - A series about the significance of music and music artists. - John Juster, music artist, entrepreneur & thought provoker; john@johnjuster.net

Part 1 (01.24.06) Article entitled: Labor of Music

It was through my friend and mentor, John King that I learned that musicians were responsible for the first labor strike ever recorded. During the times of the Roman Empire, a group of musicians refused to play at some state orgy unless they were fed in advance. Although faced with death by lions, they stood their ground and got their food instead, then went on to play the gig. This act of defiance led to the principle of 'no pay, no play', the root basis of todays labor movement. (I wonder if the Romans tossed bad musicians anyway.) But I digress.

Labor owes a debt of gratitude to those hungry musicians. Heres a reality check, though: Todays music career choices provided by todays empire, I mean industry, still offer pretty much the same as the old days: either face hungry beasts in a pit of games, sign your future away, or settle for drink tickets and maybe some gas money.

Musicians set a precedent then. We are now to set another again. Music artists collective creative destiny is, want it or not, ready or not, feel it or not, gearing to new heights in creative possibilities, now more than ever before. I believe this wholeheartedly. Only, we must reevaluate everything music-related, what it has become in our own lives and in all others, from influencing society, educationally, commercially and economically.

For instance, we all have stories about how the starving musician status still applies today. (So much for labor.) But really, when thought through simply, music artists have the upper hand on how music is treated, performed and produced. We create it and we perform it. Music artists manifest music. This alone must be grasped with all our might and ran with. (Where to? Dont ask. Just run!)

We are about to lead a powerful undercurrent of musical influence the world does not yet see coming, but is long overdue. In the weeks and months ahead, I hope to make Talk About Music a platform to help guide us all (music artists) in the powerful direction music has to offer us all (our world).