The days of an artist or band desperately chasing radio airplay by dropping off tapes or CDs — or selling demos out of the trunk of a car — are long gone. For years, that hustle was the typical path for breaking into the music industry and getting noticed by record executives. All of it, of course, predates the rise of the internet and social media. That stage of an artist’s journey is often referred to as paying your dues.
It’s a concept not lost on guitarist and vocalist Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes. He recalls the band’s early Atlanta gigs after he and his brother Chris co-founded the group.
“When the first record came out, I was 19 years old when I made it. Chris was 20 — I think he was 21 when we made ‘Shake Your Money Maker.’ And, you know, we played Atlanta to 12 people. On our last show in Atlanta, we even gave away free alcohol. And no one showed up. And then a year or two later, we played in Moscow in front of a million people with AC/DC,” he said.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
