"There are also VERY FEW development deals going on anymore within majors. So this doesn't stimulate "unique" and "timeless" records the same way some of the indie labels with horrible distribution and budgets do. "
&
"As mentioned above, the (big) labels don't care about artist development anymore, so it might be up to us in the trenches to deal with that. I'm a firm believer that a great artist with great songs WILL be successful in the long run. That said, all of us have to pay mortgage and want to buy a nice piece of gear once in a while, so, we have to keep working with maybe "not-so-perfect" artist until we run across the next Beatles. "
I just developed an act in my studio up to the stage where a major label gave them a DEVELOPMENT DEAL (last week)
It took some hard work and some free studio time. I think anyone of you guys could do it if you put your mind to it.
Jon, you wonder where the next classics will come from but on the other hand below you detail your lack of inclination to get involved in turning things around, IMHO the sentiment "I'm too busy" doesn't jive with artistic creation or asistance... I am kicking acts up the ladder with a TINY studio, you could do a lot with your place IMHO.
"However, I am not a label. Pitching BS and signing artists to typical label & publishing deals is not my calling in life. Being a studio owner, producer/engineer, and artist is more than enough to fill my plate and I'd be very happy to be able to fulfill those roles well already."
Anyhow if you haven't felt it already, I feel passionately about folks with recording equipment helping the new talent come through..