subject: Internet Artist Outsells Labels Best [print this page] Believe it or not, you don't have to be famous to outsell the big boy recording labels best performers. Unfortunately, if you aren't paying attention, you still might lose the game. Just ask Seattle rocker, Phil Fischer.
A powerful voice to go with the self written lyrics, Phil Fischer's songs were astounding. His very first album, "Wounded Soul", actually went golden selling over 500,000 copies in the year 2004. Of those sales, over 100,000 orders came from his website. Phil Fischer's albums sales far exceeded the sales of Ashley Simpson's album, the big boy record label favorite that year. With a gold album, you would have thought Phil Fischer would be happy to keep creating more albums. You might also be thinking, "Why haven't I ever heard his songs?". One answer provides the clues to both riddles.
Due to trouble finding a recording label for his sound in the United States, Fischer took his music abroad. Phil Fischer ran across a crooked record label, Papa Lopez Records, Inc., in Santiago, Chile, who was quick to sign this talented performing artist. Unfortunately, Papa Lopez wasn't an honest record executive. Despite amazing sales, Fischer only received $80,000 for his payment. While this figure may sound like a hefty sum to the aspiring musician, it was paltry in comparison to the $2.9 Million the label owed to Fischer. Phil Fischer was so disheartened by the experience, he left the commercial music industry and now concentrates solely on Christian music.
What lesson does this story hold for the aspiring recording artists? Be careful about the recording label you sign with. Better yet, create your own label.
