Over the past month or so I have an opportunity to develop a working relationship with Sal Governale and Richard Christy , two producer/writers who work for Howard Stern. Our relationship began when I saw an opportunity to help them distribute photographs online via efotolab.com, the online lab and e-commerce site that I run with two partners.
About a week ago, Howard chastised Sal and Richard for taking advantage of their audience by saying that they are hawking merchandise at their performances. I had the opportunity to express my side and why selling merchandise to their fans is in no way demeaning or degrades their value as performers. I felt as if my opinion has fallen on deaf ears as all of Howard’s “people” are for the most part lemmings and do what ever the boss says….well except for Scott DePace and his political views, oh and Artie Lange and his continual abuse of heroin, alcohol and food (I hope he gets better soon…he is incredibly funny and it is too soon to see him go)
Making merchandise available to one’s fans has been a financial staple to performers for many, many years. I remember going to my first concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC to see Kiss in 1977 – when I left that show I wanted to bring home a memory – I remember purchasing a tour book and t-shirt, and I had that stuff for years.
Regardless of who I am going to see perform, as a paying fan I look at the ticket price merely as a way to get to, and participate in the experience. I see the merchandise aspect as a way for me to bring that experience home and have a memory. I do not look at it as being taken advantage of, if I did I would not purchase anything.
This theory is the same for Sal and Richard and what they decide to provide to their fans. Nothing is being forced on their fans, it is completely their prerogative to purchase merchandise at a performance.
Sal and Richard do not charge their fans for photos or autographs, if a fan shows up with a camera they can take all of the photos that they want. Heck, I’ve even taken photos with the fans cameras for them. The difference is that we are providing professional quality photographic prints to these people that will last a lifetime. Much better quality than someone will get out of a point and shoot camera.
I would really like to hear others comments on this…I have a million points I can make, but I want to try and sum it up in a paragraph or two…please submit your comments to this blog.
When I left Kennett Square, it didn’t look like it was going to be a very nice day. It was raining and very windy, the sky was dreary and there wasn’t a spec of blue sky in sight. Usually this doesn’t bother me since I learned a long time ago to not worry about things I cannot control, but this wedding was all outdoors – the ceremony on a hill overlooking the Chesapeake and the reception was in a tent.
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