Well, I've been considering it for a while, and I've finally decided to close the record label I started a couple of years ago. I did this for a couple of reasons, really...
1) the primary reason is that I'm disillusioned with the whole Nashville music scene. I should have already known that since I went to Belmont University and saw it up close and personal. But it's been a long time, and I guess I forgot. Nashville is one of the all-time worst places to try to do music, although everyone thinks it's the best. Because it's so saturated with talented musicians, people don't pay much attention to talent here. And people pay less for quality performances here than they do anywhere else I've been. Business owners often think you should perform for *free* just to have the opportunity to share your music.
2) I guess I'm not really the "record label" type. One thing I've never been good at is marketing... I love making music and performing it, but I don't really like going around telling people about it. I thought I'd do better marketing other people's music since I wouldn't feel like I was self-promoting, but it didn't really make that much difference.
Anyway, I have enjoyed working with these talented artists, and I hope you continue to follow their careers. This web site is going to follow my own music career for now, and can be most easily reached by putting in
bentravis.com.
If you're interested in my music, keep following the site and join the email list. If you want to follow some of the other artists that were on the label, here are some links where you can find them:
Jim Swick -
jimswickmusic.com
Ray Ligon -
rayligon.com
Sonus -
sonusmusic.net (I believe they are in the process of changing some things around, including the name of their group, but I imagine this web site will keep you updated)
Jalyn Bryson - Jalyn does not have a web site at this time, but I'm going to help her develop one if she wants to. I think she is one of the most promising young singers I have heard. I will post information about her career here from time to time, and if you're on the email list, I'll keep you updated that way as well if you're interested.
I wish all these artists the best, and I wish I were better at promoting them. I think for me, pursuing my own career is more than enough work, so hopefully they will all find a label that is more equipped to really promote their talent.
More updates soon...
Ben
