do all major label bands become rich?

Question

Do all bands who are signed to a major label become wealthy? These guys from my home town of Kansas have signed with Warner Bros....and now they are going around acting like they don't have to work at mcdonalds becaues of it. It's just amazing that a band from here would get picked up like that. Anyway, it's really true because I have read about it. They are called Josephine Collective and they are suppose to put out their album this summer I think.

Answer 1

******************BEST ANSWER HERE****************
Artists contracts are for points (Cents per record)
Now, think about this: If they signed for 10 points/per album(cd); then that is only 10 cents per CD sold.
Ok, the cd's sell for about $8.99 or $9.99 TO THE STORE. The STORE upsells it to $18.99 or $19.99 - to make profit.
Now, if they don't get a marketing budget - they may clear a few hundred thousand. Divide that by the band members. THEN, take out promotion from the company. THEN, take out travel. THEN, take out photo shoots. THEN, take out publishing fees. THEN, take out songwriting credits. THEN, take out management fees. THEN, take out equipment fees.

Of course, they may have gotten an advance ($100,000 - $500,000), which artists usually think is free. That is to pay for producers, beats, and videos.
Yup, most artists blow that money (cars, clothes, jewelry) and end up owing the record company - because the record company has to bail out the project. Which means - they must hit the road to make "appearance" money at different venues.

Sad - but without a good entertainment lawyer - most artists are sunk.
UNLESS, like 50 Cent, they have a signing bonus ($1 million).

Answer 2

With a name like Josephine COllective, I can only assume they're emo. In that case, they're kind of late in the market, and just like any other boy-band trend, it won't last forever. Getting signed is like getting a loan at 66% interest. You're spending time on the road trying to pay the record company back. Until you get a national following, you're just like any other band: you're staving, you're worrying about what you're going to do next and how you're going to get there, etc. The only thing you have going for you is the fact that you can tell people you're signed, yet the best outcome is maybe selling a few extra albums at your shows. Alot of people are signed and alot more of those people are struggling than on MTV Cribs. Getting signed doesn't mean you're under the wing of some corporate big-wigs with deep pockets, it means that you're an investment just like someone who buys a McDonald's franchise. They're hoping they're putting their money in something that pays off, if not, they cut their loses and shut you down. That's in their budget. They divide their faith in bands equally at first, then direct it toward those that pay off, leaving they weaklings to fend for themselves trying to pay back the loans.

Answer 3

do all major label bands become rich? no - a lot of them make a lot of money, but the overhead for a band eats up a lot of the income. Costs for travel, stage crews, promo deals, charity events, etc. All are part of the business world but what looks like a gold mine can sometime pay out a lot less when all the paperwork is done.
Fame, however brief they get to keep.

Answer 4

No, they don't get rich. It all depends on how well they're marketed and their record sales. New Kids on the Block were wealthy, but I suggest looking at GG Allin, Wesley Willis, Nomeansno, etc.

Answer 5

Tell them to look at K-Fed. And Millie Vanillie (sic?) and New Kids on the Block.