Is it ever ok to use stereotypes in your marketing? Growing up around, and now working in, the entertainment business in Nashville, I can tell you that a large percentage of what we do here is exploitation (and exaggeration) of stereotypes.
Anybody remember Opryland?
Dirt roads, NASCAR, four-wheelers, cheap beer, old pickup trucks, seam-busting demin jeans, cowboy boots... If you want a major record deal in Nashville and you're not into this stuff, at least act like it, ok?
This issue isn't just limited to country music and it certainly happens in places other than Nashville. It happens in all genres and anywhere music is produced. From my experience, it especially happens in country, Christian, metal, and urban-related genres.
Some examples...
I know a couple of "Christian" artists who are secretly gay. To keep up appearances, one is married to a woman. The other preaches abstinence at his shows and tells the audience "true love waits," even though his post-show activities take a different approach.
On the opposite end, I know a country-pop singer who is happily married, but it's not public knowledge because it would affect her marketability as a sex symbol.
We have a certain perception of how things should be...and that is what we spend our money on.
Is this a good career move? It can be.
But what happens when "the real you" is discovered?
And could it be a better career move to do the complete opposite of what everybody else is doing? They zig, you zag.
Curious to know your thoughts and where you draw the line when it comes to marketing a stereotype or other image that you feel people expect from you. How far are you willing to take your image in the name of selling more music?
Post comments below or on my Facebook page. Or send me a message via Twitter...
That's always a fine line. And I think it's a different call for everyone. If an artist isn't used to be an outsider, it's going to be hard for them to really go against the grain of what their audience expects.
Personally, I've got plenty of outsider experience. So nearly everything about my persona is designed to play against stereotype. It doesn't make it easier because people don't have an easy slot to put you in. But it does make you more memorable.
Posted by: Roadsidephil | February 06, 2013 at 01:43 AM
You have to cater for your audience, there is no two ways about it. You start rebelling against the grain, youre not part of the genre, simple as. Matt x
Posted by: Matt Early | February 18, 2013 at 05:28 AM
Matt - You hit it on the head!
Posted by: David Hooper | February 18, 2013 at 11:07 AM