Letter To The Editor Re: Urban At PC Awards
Some members of the music community are riled up over Keith Urban’s acceptance speech for Favorite Male Artist at last night’s (1/6) People’s Choice Awards. On stage at the Nokia Theatre LA Live he thanked fans and said the most important thing to him is that people hear his music, even if they download it illegally.
Here’s one reader’s thoughts in an open letter to Music Row:
On Wednesday night (1/6), on the People’s Choice Awards, Keith Urban won the award for Favorite Male Artist. In his acceptance speech, he stated, “I don’t even care if you download it (my music) illegally, give it to your friends, I really don’t care.”
I think it is appalling for one our biggest and brightest stars to openly encourage people to break the law by downloading music illegally.
Urban and wife, Nicole Kidman, likely have millions of dollars. And, he probably won’t miss the royalties when people steal his music. However, I wonder what his label, Capitol Records Nashville, has to say about his statement? And what about his co-writers and other songwriters on Music Row whose talents he depends on to continue with his hugely successful career? Can they afford to work for free?
While other artists such as Madonna, Elton John, Eminem, Sheryl Crow, Jay Z, Lenny Kravitz and other superstars from all genres are speaking out for the rights of songwriters, Keith Urban, in one short statement, sent out a strong message to potentially millions of young listeners around the world – that music is free for the stealing. He “really don’t care.”
I manage and promote songwriters and their record labels who offer free legal downloads of their songs in major publications and on the web in efforts to help promote their careers. But that is their choice. They have given their permission.
Our community of songwriters – and the world music industry at large – have been devastated by the proliferation of illegal downloading and file-sharing. The last thing that we need is for one of our most popular artists to promote the practice.
I think Keith Urban should rethink his position and apologize for his statements – or start giving away tickets to his shows.
Music is owned by the creators – and they should get paid for it. It is not free. We all depend on it for our living.
Clif Doyal
Owner, Clif Doyal Agency, LLC
CDA Promotions-Nashville
This was definitely a blow to all artists struggling to make a living at this business. Major artists who forget the struggle of not making a living easily give everything away.
Very, very disappointed in Mr. Urban.
David Lowry, President, The Lowry Agency
I am a huge Keith Urban fan, the point is, the more fans hear your music and like it and share it, the more people hear your music and will buy it! He just had the guts to speak the truth and I’m so proud he won, he deserved this award and he Loves his fans….these are hard times for alot of people, and if sharing an uplifting song is a crime, then shoot me!!!!
You make a very valid point that all those involved in the songwriting process should absolutely be acknowledged and compenstated for their hard work; I couldn’t agree more! With that said, Keith Urban does write most of his recordings with his band and regardless of that, Keith is a lover of music and was simply thanking those who feel the same. Thanking us (the fans) for spreading not only his music, or country music, but music in general to those around us. Whether that sharing of music is done legally through iTunes and other sites, copying purchased cd’s and distributing, illegally downloading, or dragging a non-fan to a show just to share the tunes.
I personally still buy cd’s at retail and also purchase through iTunes and many times I have created cd’s and distributed to friends to introduce them to artists they may not have heard of. So during Keith’s acceptance speech I felt as though that is what he was thanking me for, sharing the love of music. I don’t believe Keith was encouraging illegal downloads by any means, just encouraging people to share the music.
Congrats on your win Keith, well deserved!
I’m sure Keith was just caught up in the moment however as a songwriter whose income comes from royalties, I don’t appreciate his comment. He might as well have given the audience my address so they could come steal one of my chairs. Dang, there goes my Keith Urban cut. In the meantime, I’m going to go download a turkey from Harris Teeter.
Knowing the kind of guy Keith is, I am sure that his comments were misconstrued. He probably meant that he was so grateful to his fans that (some of them too are struggling and poor) the music comes first and the enjoyment that his fans get out of it. I am totally against any kind of downloads of music, legal or illegal, I buy the cds, but that is just my rule. Keith is a good guy, loves his fans and his music. Give him and Nicole a break.
I can’t help but wonder if people in the music industry are mad because it would hurt the artists or if it is because illegal downloading hurts what goes into the executives pockets? Keith Urban is one artist who truly cares about other artists & fans. He didn’t grow up wealthy & he still talks about struggling as an artist. He was talking about people illegally getting HIS music not about other artists music. He just loves music, can all industry executives say the same thing? The music industry also inflates the prices of concert tickets, what CDs cost for how cheaply they can actually be produced & the price of downloads.
I don’t think executives are giving the people of this country or the world enough credit, we aren’t stupid, the majority of us know what is legal , right, what is not. If people want to break the law they will, but guess what, they took money out of your pockets long before Keith Urban made this statement. Which if you wouldn’t react over wouldn’t be any big deal. Any good songwriter will still make money and if they aren’t good will have to find a different way to live. It is called life.
This from a man who posts pictures to Twitter (ok so I know he personally isn’t posting them) and in order to see them you have to be a card carrying paid Monkeyville member to see?
Double standard much, Keith?
Good lord, people, grow up!! Whine, whine, whine. Perhaps they should be grateful to Keith Urban for the people he has brought to country music (I am one of those). Without Keith Urban I would not listen to a country station or go to a country website.
I am sure he was just caught up in the moment. I was so happy he won. His latest album and concert was incredible.
In response to David Lowry,
You think Keith has forgotten his struggle to make it in Nashville? C’mon now, don’t insult everyone’s intelligence!
You think he lived on easy street all those years? If it were about THE MONEY he could have remained in Australia and carved out a pretty nice career doing gigs in his home country.
First and foremost it IS ABOUT the music, always has been, always will be.
Time for some people to lighten up and stop being so damn politically correct all the time! Keith as always is a breath of fresh air….I’m sorry but US Australians say how we feel…and guess what? Sometimes you wont like it or agree BUT you will live right?
Although KU statement may appear to be endorsing illegal downloads- if you have followed this artist -you would understand that he strongly feels that all people regardless of economic status should have access to music, not just the ones that can afford it. I am one of his fans and still purchase CDs and buy music on itunes because I can afford it. His intention was to say no one should be limited because they can not afford it. As you know on monkeyville he allows access to all to his site (unlike other artists) and only has a few areas of the fan club site limited. I hope you don’t make more of this than he intended. KU is the real deal and clearly knows what it is like to be a struggling artist.
Keith was caught up in the moment and the words came out. He mean’t to say that He personally would give us all his music for free as long as we could enjoy it and share it with others. to him it is not so much about the money. he has said many times that if he couldn’t make a living playing he would still play for free. Give the man a break. He meant no harm and i’m sure he regretted it the 2nd the words slipped out because he is the most grateful artist out there and would give anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it.
I think people need to lighten up, he was excited and in the moment. And who cares! HE said he doesn’t care if you download HIS music illegaly, he didn’t say run out and download everyone else’s music. Whether he says it or not, people are doing it and going to continue doing it. Keith Rocks! No one more deserving! Way to go Keith! You really let us know that it is ABOUT THE MUSIC! No matter how you get it!!
I agree with what someone previously said, people will continue to always download music illegally regardless of what Keith said. Keith Urban is all about the music and nothing more. Look at what he did for the Country Music Hall of Fame last October…he held a benefit concert and tickets were only $25. He volunteered his time to give back to the community and donated all proceeds to the Country Music Hall of fame. All these record companies and big shot execs are just in it for the big pay cheque, HOW SELFISH!