marvin Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Eric, I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out exactly what the future could bring, musically-speaking. What is Eric Carmen's 'master plan'? Is it Raspberries? Is it solo music? Is music still even in the picture? I think that anyone who spends their life in the creative arts cannot just close the door. That creativity needs to be released and the artist in an almost masochistic way, wants to be critiqued on his art. It's certainly no surprise that the 'berries reunion whetted the fans' appetite for new music either from the band or solo music from you. So how do you take the next step and still remain relevant? Is it possible to re-capture something from 30 years ago? If they didn't listen then, will they listen now? These are all questions that I'm sure you've considered, and I fully understand that you don't need to share your thoughts on the subject, but if I may, here are some options as I see them: 1. Take the 'Springsteen / Neil Young route' and release the music that satisfies you (only one "Winter Dreams" per decade!), without an eye on the Billboard charts, accepting the possibility that it might sell in low numbers. Granted Springsteen and Young are in an enviable position. 2. Make a commercial record with the intent of getting it on the radio/charts. I'm not a fan of Rod Stewart's recent slew of covers discs, but it certainly is a good example of an artist making a comeback with music that has mass appeal. 3. Take an adventurous leap a-la McCartney's "Driving Rain" or "Chaos and Creation In the Backyard." McCartney will likely never sell records like he used to, but these recent efforts showed his willingness to try something different. He also broke from tradition by working with a 'new' producer, Nigel Goodrich. There are other established artists who have also made similar moves by working with producers/musicians who they would not normally be associated with. Working with a 'new' producer might present exciting musical opportunities and partnerships for you to explore. You have to know that many people out there are well-aware of the 'Eric Carmen' hit song catalog--and I have no doubt that new material (from the Raspberries--or from you going out as a solo act)--would generate a real groundswell of interest. All we need now is, you. Thanks for reading. Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 I'll take door #s 1, 2 AND 3! Eric should do them all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggsherby Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Thanks, Marvin...it's a question I've wanted to ask and you said it well. Also, don't forget what Barry Manilow recently accomplished with his songs from the 50's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Tiggsherby said: Thanks, Marvin...it's a question I've wanted to ask and you said it well. Also, don't forget what Barry Manilow recently accomplished with his songs from the 50's. He wrote songs pre-teen ?? Maybe you meant IN his 50's .... but, he's 60 this year And Vegas is a very , very good thing for these singer/songwriters ... I am sure, EC you could have a very nice permanent show deal if you'd ever be willing to move the fam .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted April 28, 2006 Author Share Posted April 28, 2006 Harry I didn't forget about Barry. I just didn't want to mention him! I think Eric had enough of Arista lumping him with Manilow in the 1970's. Just my opinion, but I don't think he wants to go down that road again.Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 I called Eric and he said to tell you: I'm not quite sure right now...I hope so...That would be the other option...Of course it is...I would hope so x 2...And those sound like 3 good ideas... Translation: LET ME FINISH THIS DAMN LIVE CD FIRST! Of course, the cell phone connection was bad, with all the Raspberries music in the background...Eric can clarify if I didn't translate correctly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 You forgot Option #4: Don't worry about having a "master plan." Artists get to a level where they can record/tour when they want and with whom they want, right? This option might not be what fans want, but... hey, Eric isn't beholden to anyone, and he might not prefer to have a "conquer-the-world" plan, don't you think? Just a thought.... Option 4 wouldn't satisfy Raspberries-hungry fans, but it would be an option, after all. And if it is, that's fine too. Getting the 2005 Raspberries tour and new CD in 2006 is way more than most of us expected just a couple of years ago. --LC PS: Apologies if I'm missing something, but... what does 'only one Winter Dreams per decade' mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 I think Marvin means, the artist releasing a CD the way he wants it, and only when he wants to. No pressures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted April 28, 2006 Author Share Posted April 28, 2006 LC I certainly don’t feel Eric / Raspberries owe me anything, and if he chose to retire from music, I’d have no problem with that decision. His music has brought me many, many years of joy, and there are only a handful of other artists that I’d put on the same pedestal.Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Wow, a universe of possibilities out there! Very eloquently stated, Marv. I can't imagine Eric doing *anything* without a "master plan." He's a Leo. (I'm serious!) I *can* imagine him doing something he's very passionate about and putting it out there the very best way he can and seeing where it takes him. I can also imagine that any Raspberries effort will be have a unanimous vote from all four artists. Other than that, I CAN'T possibly imagine, and, for me, that's becoming really intriguing. I used to want to know everything immediately, and maybe I'm going crazy, but it's really tantalizing to imagine what's going to happen and when it does, it will be that much sweeter. Would you really want to see "Little Egypt" take it all off in one quick motion? Bad analogy, no one would want to see "Little Egypt" now--I think she was around in 1898. But you get the idea... --D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Let me just say that I always like to leave my options open. No sense in burning a bridge if you don't have to. I try to look at everything I do these days and ask myself this question: If this was the last thing you were ever to do in the music business, would you be going out on a high note? I felt that way about the Ringo tour. Taking a bow each night sandwiched between the bass player of Cream and the drummer of the Beatles wouldn't have been a bad way to close out my career. Neither would the Raspberries reunion tour have been. And it's precisely the reason I jumped off the "Walk Down Flabby Road" tour. That one was shaping up to be a sloppy train wreck and I didn't want to be a part of it.The live CD fixes should have been back in Mark Linnett's hands today. I think he's got some great stuff there to work with. I'm pretty confident you won't be disappointed. I will keep you posted as things continue to develop.I just read stories in two respected newspapers, one in London and one in New York, that discussed forty to fifty year olds buying more than twice as many CD's as their teenage counterparts who were busy downloading and file swapping. This development could prove to be very interesting. Just a few years ago, there wasn't a major label in the biz that would have been interested in signing an artist that appealed to that demographic. But due to the changes in the way people are aquiring their music these days, we suddenly find Il Divo, Barry Manilow and Andrea Bocelli at the top of the album charts. I like the sound of this.Finally, I would like to suggest that you might want to hold October 6th open on your calendars. I can't say why just yet, you'll have to trust me on this one. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Damn ... I just booked a gig for that night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Unbook it Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 I was just going to say, Michael, cancel it! GMTA! --D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 My musical services will be mysteriously unavailable on October 6th, unless Raspberries needs a fiddle player, which is highly unlikely. I'd best line up a sub for that weekend if any of my orchestras are playing. I think I'll want to be sitting in the audience that night! --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlene Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 OK, I just marked October 6th out on my calenders !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted April 28, 2006 Author Share Posted April 28, 2006 October 6th, and in what city will I have to fly into Mr Carmen?Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnniekNY Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Now, I just logged on real quick before I run out to class but boy, when I pick my times, I really pick them.... HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO CONCENTRATE ON STATISTICAL TESTS TODAY, ERIC????!!!!! This is exactly why I have watch when I log on...I get SUCKED right back in....right before finals. Thanks, Marv!!! October 6th - diary entry: skipped school, ditched biological family YET again to fly to see "the boys" and the ec.com family. Had the time of my life (again). No regrets!!! annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneG Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 GREAT news! I just told my husband I was taking him somewhere for our anniversary ---but I didn't know where, yet!!!! Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Early Wynn Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 October 6th? That's my wife's birthday. Could be a present for both of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim From Wisconsin Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 October 6th - Definately open! Most new CD's or DVD's come out just after the weekend, and with the 6th of October being a Friday - Hmmm... Maybe I'll free up the 5th through the 8th in case I need to travel! Is there any kind of hint Eric? Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesberry Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 I wonder where I'm going for my Birthday???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggsherby Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 My birthday is October 12th....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME a few days early.I'll be there and I just wouldn't be surprised if it's a SOLO thing.....or I least I'm hoping!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspberrywine Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 October 6th?, dont tell me we're all going to the Cleveland Browns opener? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 October is usually my favorite month in Cleveland, Ohio. Temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's. Very low humidity. All the leaves turning beautiful shades of red and gold. Deep blue skies with big puffy white clouds and sunlight streaming through them.Great big orange Harvest Moon shining in a starlit sky. Yes, Cleveland, Ohio is a lovely place in October. ec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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